48. Santiago #3
“I’m not scared of you, Santiago, only disappointed.”
It was the first time in our lives that Gabriel looked at me with such a pitiful expression.
The same expression that was the sole reason I’d refused to see him while I did time.
And yet, there I was, completely free, being looked down on by him.
And what bothered me above all was that a part of me knew I deserved it.
Since the day I got involved with Ariyan, I knew it was a bad call, and yet, it didn’t stop me from getting more and more wrapped up.
Not then, and not now.
“Save your pity for someone else, Gabriel.”
Looking me dead in the eyes, he taunted, “And I’m the fool… That guy doesn’t even care about you.”
A sharp spike of rage stabbed through my core.
“You know shit.”
His stare hardened. “I know he had something to do with her disappearance.”
“Her?”
“Yeah. Olivia Pérez.”
The name made my blood freeze.
“While you two were apparently fucking, she went missing.” He walked down another step, shaking his head. “But whatever. I’m no longer on the case.”
Typical of Gabriel, he made his point, then fled, leaving me to watch him walking away after dropping such a bomb.
Although he couldn’t have known how critical this piece of information was, not really.
And now, thanks to him, I was even more desperate to track down Ariyan. Only he’d already found me.
“What are you doing here?” Ariyan snarled, eyes furious, as he moved down the steps to meet me at eye level.
“I came to be your alibi.”
The crease between his brows deepened. “I didn’t need your help.”
“Sorry for caring,” I hissed bitterly.
“For God’s sake. I already made it clear I don’t want you involved in things that don’t concern you.”
Pissed off at his act, I climbed a step higher so I’d tower over him. “Only it looks like it does concern me.” My jaw twitched as I stared him dead in the eyes. “Where the fuck is she?”
“Who?”
“Don’t fuck with me.” I could feel the veins bulging in my neck. “The girl. Olivia.”
His nose scrunched up. “Why do you smell like that? Did you smoke?”
Pissed at his attempt to change the subject, I clicked my tongue. “Who gives a shit how I smell. Where is she?”
“How would I know?” He stepped back. “Anyway, look at the time. I must go back to the hotel—”
“Answer me!” I shouted, loud enough to make his brows rise.
“Mr. Rivas—”
“Enough with this bullshit.” I closed the distance between us, my body basically throbbing with rage. “What the fuck did you do to her? You told me she was fine, but Gabe said she’s missing. You must know something about it.”
He looked around us, the muscle in his jaw twitching.
“You sure you want to do this here?” he asked, indicating the police station, just a few feet away.
Not caring, I shook my head, pleading with my eyes. “Please, Ari, just tell me the truth.” I grabbed both his arms. “I swear, I won’t get angry. I just… I can’t keep going like this. I need to know.”
At this stage, after getting this deep, I didn’t care about learning more of his dark sides.
I knew it was fucked, but I was so dependent on his affection that, like some addict, I couldn’t cut him loose, not even over things like this.
Yet, the fact that he could lie to me with a straight face gutted me.
After everything I’d done for him, laying myself bare for his fucking sake day after day, he still couldn’t manage to tell the truth.
“Ari—”
He placed his hand on top of mine. “I already told you, she’s okay—”
“Fuck!” I broke, shutting my eyes and stepping away from him.
“Santiago, I insist we go elsewhere—”
“Fuck off. I’m not going anywhere with you right now.”
He once again touched my arm. “You’re getting worked up over nothing. So please, go home and rest. You have a fight tomorrow, and you must stay focused.”
Heat burned in my chest as I shook my head. “Nah.” I tsked, meeting his stare. “I’m not fighting for you.”
Only then did something remotely like fear cross his cold eyes.
“What?”
“You heard me. I’m fucking done.”
Why should I continue sacrificing myself when all he ever did was lie and lie and lie? I needed him like I needed my next breath, but right now, it also felt like I’d go mad if I stayed near him, so I began walking away. Only he followed me.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes,” I answered, not slowing down.
“Santiago, stop at once.”
I didn’t listen and instead reached the road. And after looking right and left, I crossed it. I guess he still chased after me, considering the few cars that honked.
“Mr. Rivas!”
Out of the road and far enough from the police station, I finally stopped to hear him out.
“What?”
He circled me. “What do you mean ‘what’?” His eyes narrowed, distress written on his face. “You can’t back out. Not now.”
“Why not?”
A slight tremble went through his bottom lip before he bit on it.
“Because you promised me.”
Holding his stare, I could feel my insides coil at the emotion he was finally showing. But knowing him, I bet it was just another act.
“And you promised she’d be okay.”