The Vargas Cartel Trilogy (Vargas Cartel #1-3)(70)

Smiling, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s only temporary until I find an alternative, but I need to get out of Evan’s apartment, and I can’t go home. My mom is determined to see me marry Evan. She won’t stop.”

She scooted to the edge of her chair. “Are you going to break off your engagement?”

“Yes. I can’t marry him. I think I’m in love with someone else.” I cringed inwardly, and I lowered my gaze, afraid to see her reaction. In all honesty, I didn’t know what I felt for Ryker. Part of me suspected I could love Ryker. He made my blood sing and my body hum. The other part of me believed our connection revolved around sex, and not even sex wrapped in a nice, neat bow with the fa?ade of romance and sweet murmurings.

“Hold on.” She waved her hand, and the corners of her eyes crinkled as she scrunched her face in surprise. “I think I missed something. Who do you think you’re in love with?”

“This is the part I don’t want to talk about.” My eyes flickered to the side, avoiding eye contact as my insides flamed with shame and more than a little uncertainty. I took a bite of the crusty bread, but it stuck in my throat. “I can’t talk about it. Not yet.” I looked at her, silently pleading with her to understand. “Okay?”

Her lips puckered like she sucked a lemon. “I don’t like this, Hattie. I don’t like this at all.”

My throat convulsed as I swallowed. “You don’t have to like it. I don’t like it either, but I need your support.”

“What kind of support?”

“A two-week date with your air mattress, maybe less. That’s it. I can’t live with Evan while I sort out what’s going on inside my head. He keeps pushing me for more, and I can’t give him anything right now or ever.”

She rubbed her temples, studying me without comment. Then, she reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand. It felt like the vice grip had loosened around my heart. I made another step in the right direction. I was taking control of my future…my life.

“Okay,” she whispered. “But I’m only doing this because I don’t want you to end up miserable and married to Evan or his clone.”

“Neither do I.” Unfortunately, I didn’t know if choosing Ryker would make me happy either, but I knew Evan wouldn’t. “Somebody once warned me not to settle for mediocrity while I still had the ability to chase my dreams.”

Vera raised her eyebrows, her face lit up with interest. “Who told you that?”

I tapped my fingers on the table, debating what to tell her. I went with the truth. “Ignacio Vargas.”





Chapter Seven




Ryker



I threw my phone onto my kitchen counter. Not only did I have to deal with Rever’s non-stop grousing about finding a way to smuggle his pregnant girlfriend out of Mexico, but Hattie hadn’t called me in the seven days since her engagement party. I didn’t want to push too hard, but I would if necessary.

“What the f*ck is wrong with you?” Rever sauntered out of my guest bedroom, looking nothing like his usually polished self. When did he shower last? His dark hair hung in clumps, sticking to the side of his face. His stubble had officially turned into a beard a few days ago, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.

“Can’t you buy your own clothes?” Rever didn’t hesitate to make himself at home in my apartment. He wore my clothes. He ate my food. He drove my car. “What’s next? Are you going to borrow my toothbrush?” I barked, motioning to my jeans and worn black t-shirt.

“Fuck you. I don’t like doing laundry and I don’t have any money. Ignacio canceled my credit cards and closed my bank accounts.”

“How did he do that? Don’t you have passwords?”

Rever snorted. “You can do anything in Mexico when you have money.”

I smirked. “Right. How could I forget?”

Mexico suffered from a culture of systemic bribery. One summer while staying with my dad, I decided I wanted a Mexican driver's license. I slipped the government clerk ten dollars. I bypassed the written exam and walked out with a license ten minutes later. The same thing happened every time a police officer pulled me over for a traffic violation.

I opened the refrigerator and snagged a beer. “Do you want one?”

“No. I don’t drink.”

My brows furrowed. “Since when?”

Rever rocked back on his heels. “Since I met Anna. She doesn’t like it when I drink.”

“What about drugs?” I said under my breath.

“I stopped taking those too.”

I studied him, inspecting his body language for any indication he was lying to me. Interesting. He looked sincere. This had to be a first. The Rever from my childhood was a sarcastic * who only told the truth when it helped him. Maybe the month he spent in prison had changed him for the better. Regardless, I didn’t have any intention of fully lowering my guard around him. After all, Ignacio groomed him, and Ignacio was a master manipulator. A Machiavellian strategist.

“Have you talked to Anna?”

“I just hung up with her.” He looked pained.

I raised my eyebrows. “And?”

“There’s no way she can make it to that tunnel in Sonora. Her dad has relocated her to the house on Isla Mujeres. He thinks the Vargas Cartel plans to hurt her.”