When Lies Unfold

Chapter 54

“You sure ’bout this, boss?”

“Just fuckin’ get me there.” I bite out each word, my fingers curlin’ into tight fists.

Gordo lets out a gust of breath. “Goin’ on record to say this ain’t the smartest idea.”

“Don’t fuckin’ care.” I stare straight ahead at the dark road ahead. “Just drive.”

He lets out a string of expletives, but he does what he’s told. It might not be a good idea, but evidently, I need to lay down some strict rules.

Fuck if I’m not still seein’ a blaze of red fury in my vision even now. Diego’d called me to let me know Nando showed up at Lola’s last house. We were on the phone the moment he saw the kiss happen.

That motherfuckin’ cop had the nerve to put his mouth on her.

Diego wanted to intervene right then and there, but I told him to stand down. That I’d take care of it.

Just like I fuckin’ intend to.

Gordo pulls up in front of the small house, and I’m out of the vehicle before he even puts it in Park. Stompin’ up to the front, I beat my fist against the door.

“I’m coming!” Nando yells from inside. The moment he yanks the door open, my fist meets his jaw, and he goes reelin’ back.

Somehow, he manages to stay upright and pissed outrage transforms his face. He throws a punch in retaliation, but I’m ready for it. I block it and aim next for his gut.

“Never put your hands on a woman”—my harsh words emerge in between grunts and punches—“without her motherfuckin’ permission.” I land another punch to his side, and when he throws a semi-decent right hook, I turn in the nick of time, and it glances off my chin.

“Fuck you!” Blood drips from his lips and nose. After my next hit, a puffy redness blooms around his left eye. “You’ve got no business messing with her!” he thunders, his eyes wild. “She’s too damn good for your sorry ass!”

His words break through my haze of fury, and I let him get a lucky hit in, his fist collidin’ with my cheek. I steel myself against the pain before levelin’ him with an icy glare. “You’re right.”

My calm tone catches him off guard, and he eyes me warily. “What?”

“You’re right.” I match his probin’ gaze. “She’s way too good for me. But I still plan to make her mine.”

My words stay suspended between us, and I don’t know which of us is more shocked—me or him. I didn’t plan to say that, but the hell of it is, it’s all true.

He wipes his bloodied lip with the back of his hand, his eyes spittin’ hatred. “I should kill you right now for getting her involved in whatever shit this is.”

Red mottles his face. “You’re lucky that bullet only grazed her.” He takes a step closer, blood still oozin’ from his nose and lip. “It better not have been from you.”

“It wasn’t.” My answer’s clipped, ’cause I don’t owe him anythin’.

Suspicion radiates off him as he regards me. “She deserves better than your sorry, ponytailed ass.”

“I know. Just like I know there’s no fuckin’ way I’ll let anythin’ happen to her.” I lower my fists and flex my fingers, only now noticin’ the sting of my busted knuckles. With a pointed look at his buzz cut, I fire back, “And just admit you’re jealous of my fuckin’ hair.”

He squints at me. “Fuck off.” Slowly, cautiously, he drops his own fists. “She tell you about the kiss, or did your guy tell you?”

“The fuck does it matter?”

“Guess it doesn’t.” A harsh laugh rumbles past his mouth as defeat registers on his battered face. “I don’t know if it’s worth anything to you, but she didn’t kiss me back.”

Diego said Lola’s back was to him when Nando went in for the kiss, so this news is promisin’. “That so?”

Nando stares at me, his expression shiftin’ to somethin’ that makes me uneasy as hell. “You really meant it, huh? That you won’t let anything happen to her?”

I scowl at him, ’cause I hate people questionin’ my word. “Wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.”

A pause lingers before his jaw goes slack. “Ho-ly shit.” He looks stunned, his words are filled with disbelief. “You love her.”

I rear back. “What?”

Nando looks dazed as he shakes his head slowly. “I don’t fucking believe it.”

Irritation pulses through me, and I briefly pinch the bridge of my nose. ’Cause I don’t have time for whatever mind games he’s playin’. “Lesson of the day, stay the fuck away from Lola Arias. Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” he mutters. With a lift of his chin, he gestures toward the open doorway. “Now, get the fuck out of here.”