Page 101 of No Greater Oblivion

She nods in response. “I know. I know it is. But I still feel awful. All this time I could’ve been there for her. Had I known earlier, I would’ve gone home.”

“When did everything happen?”

“Before Thanksgiving, right around Lettie’s birthday.”

“Alex?”

I look over and Dimitrio’s in the entryway, signaling for me to join him. And I might’ve if not for the look Lyss gives me, pinning me in place.

“Sorry, is my friend’s distress interrupting you?” she remarks.

Dahlia startles and turns to me. “What?”

“Nothing.” I kiss her forehead. “Ignore carrot top over there.”

Her nose scrunches up. “I’m a brunette.”

Dahlia responds despondently, “Your hair is auburn.”

“Look, Dimitrio and I have something important to take care of but why don’t I call Diego and see if we can fly out earlier. Hm?” I caress her cheek. “Your last final is tomorrow morning. We can leave in the afternoon and spend a few days with Karina before her show and be back by Christmas Eve.”

She gives a light shrug. “I don’t know.”

“It’s whatever you want.” I kiss her quickly. “Just let me know. You can tell Merida to come with us too.”

“First of all, I’m half-Irish, not Scottish. Imbecile.”

I tap her nose as I pass. “Whatever you say.”

With pursed lips, Lyss gets up from where she’s seated. Crosses the distance between the kitchen island and the counter, and stops where my KitchenAid is plugged in. She yanks on the black chord until it pops out the electrical socket and slowly crosses the kitchen, dragging the appliance across the counter with her.

Dahlia sighs, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “Alyssa…don’t.”

I practically trip over my feet trying to catch it in time. It dangles over the edge of the counter and Lyss releases the wire before returning to her seat.

“Alejandro,” Dimitrio grabs my shoulder. “Come on.”

I put the KitchenAid back in place, plug it into the wall, and Lyss and I don’t stop glaring at each other until Dimitrio drags me out of the room.

Lyss’s voice follows us on the way out. “What do you even see in that guy…”

Dimitrio and I head upstairs to my office. On cue, the landline rings and Dimitrio closes the door behind us while I approach my desk and answer the call.

“Do they know?” I ask.

“Not yet,” Ferrer replies. “Sandro thinks Monse’s run off again but Regina’s concerned. Apparently, her sister left her phone and wallet behind and Regina noticed a missing outfit from her closet.”

I set the phone down on the table and hit speaker. “Give it a few hours. By nightfall, pull Sandro and Regina aside. Do you know what you’re going to tell them?”

“What we rehearsed. I have someone on the inside who informed me there’s a woman the Narvaez family is trying to keep hidden. And as of today, she has her own security detail.”

“Do you think we should add anything?” Dimitrio asks.

I consider as much and eventually decide against it. “No. Too many details and it’ll look suspicious.”

“Is there anything else I should tell them?” Ferrer asks over the phone.

Nothing comes to mind and I look to Dimitrio for his input.