“Good girl. Let’s hope the old man keeps up his end of the deal, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say he wasn’t too thrilled to hear we were whoring out his daughter to pay his debt. Not sure what broke him more, hearing the way you were willing to reimburse El Diablo, or what he did to put you in that position.”
I slide a hand over my eyes to hold the tears in. I’m so stupid. I never factored in that they’d tell Dad. Of course, they did. Why not?
Why not take the opportunity to make us feel worse than we already do?
“I hope you rot in hell.”
“I probably will, sweetheart.”
The line goes dead, and I’m left with the angst drilling a hole in my heart.
I wipe away the tears that tip over my lids and swallow down the pain. I can’t fall apart now. I mustn’t.
The sound of footsteps makes me turn, and I come face to face with Estelle, who’s looking at me like I’m shit she’s trying to avoid stepping in.
Jesus Christ, did she hear me talking?
My eyes widen, and I bite down so hard on my bottom lip I taste blood. I didn’t hear her until just now.
“Everything okay, dear?” she asks, looking me up and down.
“Yes. I was just talking to my father.”
“Sounded like a rather heated conversation, and you look upset. I hope nothing has happened.”
“No, I’m fine.” She can see I’m not fine. She can hear it in my voice, too.
“Okay, I just wanted to check if you like seafood. We’re thinking of changing the menu today because we’ve run out of one of the key ingredients.”
Fuck, I can’t tell if she heard me or not.
“I eat anything. Thank you for checking.”
“No problem. I’ll let them know to go right on ahead, then. If it’s okay, I’ll also meet you in about an hour to get your ID sorted out.”
“Yes, of course. That’s fine.”
“Great. I’ll meet you in the living room at the front of the house.”
“See you then.”
She dips her head, and I would almost think things were okay if not for the suspicion lurking in her eyes. Maybe she didn’t hear much, or she heard nothing.
Either way, she suspects me.