Page 140 of Vicious Temptation

My hand slips into my pocket, fingertips brushing over the ring.

“Wow. Didn’t know this was a party.”

Papá stands, crosses the room, and kisses my forehead before closing the door behind me.

“Sit, princesa.”

“I’m good right here.”

He pauses, then gives me a slight nod.

“What’s this about?” I ask, looking around.

“Mi amor...”

Mamá.

“We heard what happened.”

“Of course you did.”

“Remi.” She pushes herself to her feet and rounds the desk. “Why did I have to learn from a viral social media post that my daughter was arrested?”

“It was a great picture, wasn’t it?”

“Remi Isabel.” Her voice drops. “This isn’t a joke. Those were serious charges, and after everything that’s happened, you’re out there drawing even more attention to yourself.”

“I took off in my car, Mamá.” I hold her gaze. “I didn’t murder anyone.”

I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth.

Throwing my mother’s past in her face is a shitty thing to do, especially when I know that isn’t what this is about. She doesn’t care about the embarrassment of having her daughter’s mugshot plastered across social media, and the charges aren’t what scared her enough to bring the entire family into this room.

She’s scared that something is going to happen to me.

I exhale slowly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”

For a moment, Mamá says nothing.

“I know.” She reaches for my hands and holds them in hers.

“But you should’ve told me. You should’ve told all of us.”

“I would have if I had thought I needed to. There are some things I can handle on my own.”

“We know you’re capable, Remi,” Aunt Leni says from her place by the window. “I taught you myself.”

A few chuckles ripple through the room.

“But you know what’s at stake.” Aunt Leni continues. “You know what they want, and we can’t afford to overlook anything that could put you in their path.”

“I appreciate that, Aunt Leni. I really do.” I glance around the room. “But I refuse to live my life in fear.”

“Fear?” Uncle Derek arches an eyebrow.

“Cautious,” Aunt Eva corrects.

“Prepared,” Uncle Silas adds.