As suddenly as a tidal wave, I’m filled with grief—dark, thick, pungent. It clogs my nose, my throat, my eyes, and I have to blink rapidly to keep from losing it at the memory of my own mother and brothers. His story is far too similar to my own.
I don’t want to see him as anything but the villain I know him to be. I can’t afford to. Because if I see him as something less than truly evil, I’m likely to lose my motivation all together. Instead of being swept under, I focus on the memory of their faces,dead and gone. Rage almost instantly surpasses my grief.
“Cute,” I bite out, trying to keep my voice from quivering. “Valentina, your turn.”
“Can you call me V? Only my brother and mom call me Valentina the way you do.”
The mention of her brother makes my stomach drop. Not seeming to notice, Valentina looks at Faith. “Speaking of Mateo, how are he and Dale?” She sounds hesitant, more like she doesn’t want to seem interested, afraid of acting like she cares.
Selfish bitch. It’s her fault Dale was tortured. I shudder at the memories, knowing that’s not entirely true.It’s my fault as much as hers.
Faith tips her head, her tight bun not budging before she licks the rim of her glass. “Why don’t you call him and ask yourself?”
Valentina glares at Faith. “I’m asking you.”
Faith sighs. “They’re happy—getting their new house close to set up. Mateo’s been working some new horses, and Dale’s back to teaching.” Valentina nods, but I see the pain ripple across her face.
I should ask a question that twists the knife, but something about the sadness makes me bite my tongue. I know I’ll call myself a coward tomorrow, but for now, I let it go. “Question for everyone. If you had to kiss one person here, who would it be?” All three eyes brand into my face, but I don’t budge. I shrug before looking at Faith. “I’d pick Faith. I’ve always wanted to be someone’s first kiss.”
She laughs, tipping her head back. “You fucking wish, Santos. I’d pick Valentina—I’ve always been curious about kissing a girl.”
I motion between them. “Please, don’t stop on my account.”
Valentina shakes her head. “Thanks, but I’ve tried, and I prefer men. I’d kiss Santos—as long as I can scrub my mouth out afterward.”
I smile at her, my heart pounding, and I can’t tell why. Is she using me to make McCrae jealous, or does she actually want to kiss me?
McCrae grumbles before making a show of draining his glass.
“I guess we’ll never know,” I tease. Except, we all know—you’d have to be blind not to see it.
McCrae’s arms ripple as he begins to push himself out of the leather chair, leaving this situation behind, but Valentina beats him to it. “Faith, want to—” she tips her head, “blow off some steam with me outside? We’ll come back.”
Faith’s eyes twinkle, and then she leaps up. “I thought you’d never ask.”
They jog out the front, their hushed conversation and laughter fading as the door seals behind them. I watch after them, and it’s when they’re gone that I make my final move for the night.
“Faith’s got some legs on her.”
McCrae leans forward in his chair, his glare scorching. “Listen here, you little pissant.”Pissant, that’s a new one.I smile wider, liking the insult far too much. “You leave any mentions of Faith out of your fucking mouth.” His composure’s slipping, his true intentions bleeding through.
My pleasure only grows, and I lean forward, matching his stance— “Don’t you mean Valentina? Or do you want them both to yourself?”
His mouth flops like a fish as he searches for the words.
“I think you don’t want anyone to be with Valentina, but you don’t want her yourself. I think it’s about protection, not about interest. I think?—”
“I didn’t ask what you fucking think. Watch yourself, Santos.” Standing quickly, he stomps from the room.
I chuckle, swirling my glass in victory. “We both know which one you want. You’re just too much of a coward to take her and let the other one go.”
TWENTY
VALENTINA
October 15th, 2025
Another night,another nightmare. They’re better here, less frequent, but no less vivid. When I wake here, though, the silence is far too close to drowning—it’s a hallow sound, a silent roar that seems impossible to ever overcome.
