What I find when I step out of his bedroom is something I never would have imagined.
It's not just Silver in his living room, but Alec, too.
My lips part and I look between them, unsure of what's going on."Um..."
"Sit," Silver says and pats the spot next to him.
I comply, only because I have no idea what other options I have.
"Does someone want to tell me what's going on?" I ask them and busy myself by taking a drink of the coffee.
Oat milk and vanilla, just how I like it.
Alec doesn't say a word. He remains there, stiff and unmoving, a pained look on his face. I hate it. As do I hate the trickling memory of the things I said to him last night. I was cruel, callous, and unforgivable.
"I'll go first," Silver starts and turns a bit toward me as he scratches his salt-and-pepper beard. "Cora, you don't know me very well." He clears his throat and I can tell he's trying so hard to soften his tone from his normal bravado. "And I understand if you don't want to confide in me. But your friends are worried about you. There have been things brought up that cannot be ignored, and I refuse to sit back and not get to the bottom of it."
Silver motions to Alec.
Alec rubs his hands together. "We need you to tell us the truth about Ricardo."
The coffee in my hands grows heavy and I lower it onto my lap so I don't drop it. I've already caused enough of a mess, I don't need to create a literal one, too.
Threats of killing those I love come flooding into my mind and I can't figure out the right thing to say when everything feels so incredibly wrong.
I shake my head. "I can't tell you."
My head throbs and tears dare to fall down my cheeks. How is it possible to cry any more than I already have?
"What do you need us to do in order for you to tell us?" Silver leans forward. "What can we do, Angel? I'm begging you."
I entertain his request and consider the options. What would make me willing to confess the secret that Ricardo all but swore me to keep?
I swallow harshly and look between these two drastically different men, both here for the same reason. "First, I need you to promise me you won't tell anyone else."
"Done," Silver says without hesitating.
Alec sighs. "What about Miller?"
"EspeciallyMiller," I confirm.
"He's going to kill me." Alec runs his hand through his hair.
"That's the least of your concerns if I tell you the truth," I add.
"Fine, I won't tell him." Alec repositions in his seat.
"Next condition," Silver says.
"You cannot, by any means, do anything about it."
Silver scowls. "That's impossible."
"Then deals off."
Alec speaks up. "How do you expect us not to do anything if you're in trouble, Cora?"
I look right at him. "Because I said so, Alec. That's the only way I'll talk. Otherwise, this is my problem and mine alone. Do you understand?"
