“I know Dad, I fucking know. I’ve kept my distance for that exact reason. But I won’t sit back and let her be hurt.”
Just the thought of her being hurt makes me want to tear the city apart looking for her. Zeke had better hurry the fuck up with an address.
“Let me know when you get her; she’ll need us, especially if she’s been hurt.”
“Talk to you later.” I end the call and pray that Zeke gets back to me soon. This waiting is fucking torture.
Just as I’m about to climb into my car, I notice something shiny where Yoreli’s car was parked. Walking over, I see that it’s a bracelet. It’s silver with a tiny heart. I pick it up and pocket it. When I see Yoreli, I'll give it back to her; that will be my excuse as to why I'm there.
Five
Reli
The doorbell rings and I'm stunned. No one ever stops by unannounced: everyone always calls or texts first. Talia hates it; it means that she doesn’t have enough time to hide me. She hates anyone knowing I’m here. I quickly rush out of the kitchen and toward the stairs, needing to hide in my room.
“Go,” she instructs me, briskly walking past me as she strides toward the door.
I make it to my room just in time. I can't help but glance out the window to see if I can see who is here. I notice a dark car parked out front, a burly man dressed in a suit standing against the car.
“Hello, may I help you?” Talia asks sweetly, that tone of her voice makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
“I’m looking for someone who lives here,” a deep, silky smooth voice says and my body reacts in ways I’ve not reacted to a voice before. Butterflies form in my stomach and goosebumps spread across my body.
“Oh?” I hear Zella’s voice. “Hello.” God, the seduction in her voice causes me to shiver in disgust.
“Whom are you looking for?” Talia asks with a purr.
“A woman. She was at the store yesterday,” the man says and I gasp; it’s John. What’s he doing here?
“Zella, Anna? Were you at the store yesterday?” Talia asks, knowing that they weren't and that it was in fact me, but she'll never tell him that.
“Ma’am, is there another woman living here?” he asks, and I hold my breath. Is he here for me?
“No, sorry; you must be mistaken,” Talia responds, and for some reason I’m disappointed. I knew she’d say no one else lives here, but it hurts and I’m not sure why.
“Was your car stolen?” he asks; there’s a bite to his tone.
“No! What’s with all the questions?” Talia replies, affronted.
“Lady, you’re the only person in this state that has a Bugatti Chiron Sport. If your car wasn’t stolen, who was driving it yesterday?” The hardness in his voice makes me flinch; I’ve only ever heard Talia be that way before.
“I apologize, sir, but you are sorely mistaken. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I have things that need to be done.”
I can’t hear what is being said; it’s as though they’ve lowered their voices, but I know that they’re still at the door. I can see that the man hasn’t gone back to his car.
“Is there something else you need?” Talia questions with a raised voice. I know that tone; she's mad, and there’s only one person that she’s going to let that anger out on. Me.
“No,” he replies, but he doesn’t sound happy.
“Good day,” Talia says moments before the door slams shut.
Pounding sounds and I brace myself; she’s coming up the stairs. “Yoreli!” she yells, causing me to flinch. My bedroom door flies open and bounces off the wall with the force she opens it with. “What the fuck have you been saying?”
I shrink back at her tone; her eyes are narrowed into slits as she stalks toward me. There’s nowhere I can go. She’s got me in her sights and I’m terrified of what’s to come.
/> “Why is that man here?” she questions me and I shrug; I have no idea. “Yoreli, don’t test me. Answer the damn question. Why is he here? Who is he?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before,” I lie; it’s better than telling her that he was at the store with me yesterday or that he’s Markus’ son.