“So, not the Del Moros anymore?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I need to find out,” I ponder, uncertainty creeping into my voice.
“What would Roberto get from having you dead? You are his source of income.”
His point makes sense, logically, but I know what I heard.
“I don’t know,” I admit, frustrated.
“Don’t do shit alone, Carolina, or I will spank your ass until you can’t sit anymore,” he grunts out.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” I tease and hang up the phone when I hear him take a deep breath to seemingly berate me some more.
Classes wentby quickly because of the test we had to do, but it was pretty easy since I studied all afternoon yesterday on Xander’s bed.
Now, I’m in the lab with Sophia, surrounded by the sterile smell of chemicals I love and the hum of machines. Sophia is sitting at her desk while I stand behind her, looking over her shoulder.
We’re staring at the notes she made with all the details we know and what she remembered from the file on my parents. Or at least everything that’s officially known.
“I still can’t believe Roberto wants me dead,” I mutter, shaking my head in disbelief. “I mean, I get that he hates me, but I am still the one who pays for his rent, food, and most importantly, his vodka.”
Sophia nods, her expression serious. “It’s definitely concerning. But we don’t know that for sure yet. We don’t know if he was really talking about you. Don’t dismiss the Del Moros just yet. I think ruling them out would be a mistake. They are acting way too suspicious.”
I feel a surge of anger. My parents deserve better than this—better than me struggling to find out what happened. “We need to gather more information. There has to be something we’re missing.”
Sophia taps her finger on the table, thinking. “We could try to track down the first responders. See if they remember anything unusual about the scene.”
I nod, considering the suggestion. “That’s a good idea. And we should also try to find out more about the car. If the witness thought the brakes failed, then maybe there’s something there.”
Sophia’s eyes light up. “Yes, exactly. We need to get the records for the car or speak to someone who checked the car after the accident. It’s obvious that it had been tampered with.”
I feel a flicker of hope. “Okay, let’s do it. Let’s find out everything we can about that car. But how do we even get that information? It’s been five years. Do you think the records still exist?”
Sophia leans back in her chair, crossing her arms. “They should. Car records are usually kept for a long time, especially for legal and warranty stuff. We can start by contacting the insurance company and the repair shop that dealt with the car after the accident. They might have records from when they disposed of the car.”
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “All right. Let’s get started.”
Sophia smiles. “We’re going to figure this out, Carolina. One step at a time.”
We spent the next few hours making a list of people to contact and questions to ask. I feel like we’re finally getting somewhere.And I won’t stop until I have the truth.
The door opens, and Clay and Joshua come in, laughing at each other. But when both their gazes turn to me, my heart double flips, and I take in a sharp breath of air.
Sophia giggles beside me.
“Hey,” Joshua greets, standing next to my desk, grabbing my hand, and pulling me to my feet before he leans in to kiss me.
His lips are so soft, and he presses them slightly to mine, then leans back, grinning at me. Apparently unsatisfied, Joshua grabs the back of my head, pulling me to him again and kissing me deeply, unhurried, and slow.
He tastes like sweets, and I have to smile into the kiss. “Hey, Mr. Candyman,” I whisper when he breaks it.
“I like that.” He grins, pecking my nose.
“My turn,” Clay declares, pulling on my wrist to release me from Joshua’s arms and pull me into his. He takes my head in both hands and strokes my cheeks. “Fuck, I missed you.” His right hand wanders to the side of my neck, and he pushes my chin up with his thumb to lean in and kiss me too.
His kiss is much rougher, but I love it.
My head spins when he lets go of me, and I have to press my thighs together. Kissing them like this has made me way too wet for the place and company.
