Lips against mine.
I frowned, struggling to think, but the more I tried to remember, the further the memory slipped away.
Arms around me.
I gulped as cold sweat washed over me, and my heart picked up speed.
“You okay, my man? You’re pale like my grandma’s ass,” Miguel said, but he sounded as if he were galaxies away.
God, no. Please, God, no. Please, please, I beg you, let it not be. Please, God.
I could have begged until my dying day, but what happened, happened. What I did, I did. I couldn’t remember what I did exactly, but I did something. I knew it, just as I knew I needed air to breathe. But what did I do? How much did I screw up?
“I’m fine, Miguel,” I said, stumbling across the yard. I needed some time to think. I also had to calm down because my heart threatened to burst out of my chest.
“Who pissed on your parade?”
At the sound of a familiar voice behind me, I made a face.
“Please, not you. I can’t deal with you right now.”
I leaned against the wall, hyperventilating, before meeting Mendoza’s amused expression. It was strange how such a good-looking man could have such a rotten personality.
“So, you two are here because of Santiago?” Mendoza mused. “I should’ve guessed it.”
“Will you keep your end of the bargain?” I asked him. “I presume you met with Biancchi.”
“Yeah, I will keep my end of the bargain. And yes, I saw Marc.”
Something about the way he said his name caught my attention. I looked at Mendoza, but he was gazing into the distance with a strange expression on his face.
“You don’t hate him,” I stated. “Biancchi, I mean. Everyone thinks you do, but you don’t.”
Mendoza shrugged. “I don’t know how I feel about him.”
I had an inkling, but I kept my mouth shut.
“Is it revenge you’re after?” I asked him. “Or closure? And after you have it, will you leave Bianchhi alone?”
Something ugly crossed Mendoza’s face, and his eyes hardened.
“Marc betrayed me. I will never leave him alone.”
“Why don’t you just talk to him?” I suggested. “Tell him how you feel.”
“No,” Mendoza was resolute. “He tricked me. He lied to me. For that, he will suffer.”
I shook my head, wondering why life had to be so complicated.
“Incidentally, where’s your grumpy partner?” Mendoza said, looking around. “Usually, you’re attached at the hip.”
I made a face that probably gave him my reply because he laughed.
“You should see your expression, cop. Also, stay away from gambling dens unless you want to lose a lot of money.”
“I don’t need your advice,” I bit out.
“Did you and the grump fall out?”
