48. Santiago #2
“Will your supervisor agree with you?”
Officer Sánchez’s jaw twitched, and I wondered how much longer it would take him to finally crack.
Still, I knew not to take him lightly. Ever since my first encounter with him, I figured that sooner or later, he’d be an obstacle.
After all, he was young, dedicated to his work, eager, and above all, in love with Mr. Rivas.
Crossing his arms, he leaned back in his chair.
“May I remind you, you’re here voluntarily?
So no one’s breaking any laws. If you feel stressed, you’re free to leave.
” He cocked his head in the direction of the door.
“Although it will make me wonder why you’re so nervous, especially after we’ve been so friendly to you. ”
My brows rose. “Do I look nervous to you?”
“Maybe not.” He shifted closer. “But it sure as hell looks like you’re hiding something.”
Only then did the other officer standing in the room step closer to the desk. Placing his hand on Sánchez’s shoulder, he kept it there for a little too long.
“I’ll go get us coffee,” he said.
Sánchez nodded, barely acknowledging his partner before the other left. Finally alone, I smiled.
“Does he know that you’re in love with someone else?”
“What?” His brows drew together, a thick line forming between them.
“Your partner. The one you’re clearly screwing.”
Instead of saying a word, he turned off the recording tape. Only then did he clear his throat.
“You’ve got it all wrong.”
Amused, I eyed him skeptically. “Actually, I think I’ve got it perfectly right.”
His silence was a loud admission of the truth.
“Now, then, why don’t you ask me what you’re dying to know?” I said, eyes locked on him like a target.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about—”
“Come on, Officer, the question has been on the tip of your tongue ever since we first met.”
He visibly swallowed, letting me know I was one hundred percent correct. Therefore, with his partner still out of my way, I went on.
“Fine, I’ll make it easier for you. The answer is a roaring yes. We fuck.”
Hurt filled his innocent eyes, and I bet his heart just broke a little.
“He makes a good lover, don’t you agree? Very attentive, not to mention passionate—”
“Enough!” he snapped, slamming his hand on the table.
I chuckled. “Why? It’s healthier for you to accept reality and move on. Or better yet, leave us be.”
Gritting his teeth, he shook his head. “No. I won’t move on because I know Santiago, and he’s too good for someone like you.”
I pretended to gasp, pressing my palm to my chest. “Someone like me? What have I ever done for you to have such a foul impression of me?”
Silence followed my question as the atmosphere in the interrogation room thickened.
“I might not know what you’re up to yet, but I know you’re a bad man. Or else, you wouldn’t hang around men like Eduardo Flores.”
At last, this guy uttered something that could actually steer him in the right direction of whatever lead he was chasing. Still, I was all but used to dumb officers like him and knew how to string them along even more.
“And before you try to deny it, I’ve got pictures of you meeting with him.”
“Let me guess.” I picked under my nails. “You took those pictures at the hotel?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“So that’s a yes,” I hummed. “Anyway, he’s a client.”
“He’s a criminal,” he hissed, voice full of contempt. “A drug lord.”
“Is he now?” I huffed when his expression hardened.
“Just because he’s walking free doesn’t mean he’s not guilty.”
“Well—” I smiled from ear to ear, not minding the thick pain in my jaw. “—guilty or not, to me, he’s just another guest.”
He tsked. “You’re despicable.”
“And nonetheless, I’m the one sharing Mr. Rivas’s bed.” Officer Sánchez’s eyes shot to mine in a heartbeat, and only once I had his full and undivided attention did I land the final blow. “More than that, I’m the one he’s in love with.”
Pure dread crossed this fool of a man’s face, and seeing the pain slowly forming in his eyes was almost as satisfying as riding his ex’s cock. But it was time he learned what happened to little boys who played with fire.
I assumed he wanted to say something in return, if only to get some of his pride back, but before he managed, the door to the room slammed open and in walked none other than—
“Sir,” Officer Sánchez gasped, jumping to his feet at the sight of their chief of police.
“What’s the meaning of this?” he snarled, eyes moving between Sánchez and me. “Why’s he here?”
Sánchez cleared his throat. “I-I’m following a lead on the missing girl investigation, sir—”
“Ariyan, I apologize for the incompetence my officers have shown you,” the chief said, looking at me. “Despite this incident, please know we appreciate your generous donation to our departments.”
Still sitting down with my legs crossed, I smiled at him. “Oh, please don’t worry about it. Everyone makes a mistake once in a while, right?”
“Again, I sincerely apologize that they kept you here.” His eyes went back to poor Sánchez, who’d apparently been a bad boy. “Didn’t I already tell you to drop this case?”
“You did, but—”
“But what?” the chief snarled, jaw tight. “Here you are, wasting time and resources on some prostitute who went missing and is probably just lying high in some drug den, instead of doing your actual job. Now, get on some real cases before I make you regret it, Sánchez.”
Bowing his head, he gulped. “Yes, sir.”
And would you believe it? I just got front-row tickets to see this brat getting what he deserved. His heart and instincts might have been in the right place, only he miscalculated one critical thing:
Not to fucking mess with me.
SANTIAGO
By the time I reached the police station, I was out of breath.
Running here didn’t help silence the horrible thoughts that came to my mind, and by now, I could hardly breathe.
And yet, unable to stay in the dark a minute longer, I ran up the stairs leading to the building just when someone else came down.
“You!” I shouted at Gabriel, storming toward him like a madman and stopping with my face an inch from his. “Are you seriously that fucking pathetic that you’d go as far as to arrest him?”
So furious, I didn’t give a fuck that charging a police officer like this might be risky. If anything, I was more tempted than ever to hit him.
“It’s nothing like that—”
He tried stepping away, but I didn’t allow it. “Fuck off with this shit. Just admit you’re after him ’cause you’re a jealous little bitch.”
His eyes widened a second before anger swept over him.
“So the two of you… It’s really true, huh?”
Taking a step back, I held my chin up. “Why, what did you hear?”
Holding my stare, his expression finally cracked, and he sighed.
“Un-fucking-believable.” He looked at the ground, hands placed on his waist. “You’re seriously involved with that guy?”
Heat flared in my chest, and I quickly jumped to defend Ari.
“You don’t know shit about him, so watch it.
And whether we’re together or not, it’s none of your fucking business.
” I closed the distance between us and brought my lips against his ear.
“The only thing you do need to know is that he was with me that night, got it? We fucked till morning, so there you have it. I’m his fucking alibi, you fucker. ”
I pulled away only to watch him glare at me, hurt mixed with anger in his eyes. Clearly, he got the message, and I was ready to move on when he huffed, his voice dripping with disdain.
“You’re an idiot.”
“What?” I scowled.
He turned around so we were fully facing each other.
“He doesn’t need a fucking alibi,” he hissed, pointing at the police station.
“Your boyfriend is in there, all friendly with the chief.” Closing his eyes, his whole face scrunched up.
“What truly gets me is that while the rest of us are following the fucking law, scum like him shit all over it.”
I pointed at him. “I told you to watch it—”