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“It’s not true. You’re not that good at pretending.”
“I’m a hooker,” I say in a low, sultry voice, running the tip of my finger down his cheek and over his lips. “I do nothing but pretend. I can be anything a man wants me to be and you wanted me to be the woman who could help you get over Tori, and that’s exactly what I did.”
“Why?”
“Greed, baby, and your desperation made it so easy. You used me, too. It’s not like you care about me. We both got what we wanted.”
“Get out!”
His booming scream makes me flinch, but I grab my purse and escape his condo without looking back.
About five minutes after she bolted from the loft, I calmed down and knew Maria hustled me so I would let her go, and foolishly, I did. How can I be gifted with brains, and, yet, utterly clueless when it comes to the heart? After the stunt I pulled our first night together, Maria left her job and didn’t know how she was going to pay her rent, yet she returned over two grand to me without hesitation. To take a stand about how the money made her feel. To prove her integrity. She loves me, and I let her go.
I spend the remainder of the day and most of the night searching for a man named Eduardo with no last name, and turn up nothing. At 3 a.m., my phone rings. It’s the company investigator.
“Aidan, it’s Sid. I discovered an Eduardo with ties to the Bay Area. I don’t know if it’s your guy or not, but I doubt you’ll be able to find him. His name is Eduardo Montez. An illegal, and head of the Torrente Cartel in the Bay Area. A punk kid who climbed his way up by knocking off his predecessors. No permanent addresses on file. I sent you a photo.”
“Thanks, Sid.”
I open the photo. The resemblance to Javier is proof that this is his father. How did Maria get mixed up with a guy like Montez? I send Maria a text.
Tug: If you think I’m going to let you run, you’ve seriously underestimated my feelings for you.
She doesn’t reply and I send another text.
Tug: I know you’re story about playing me was bullshit. You love me.
Still no response, and I’m worried she’s already left the country.
Tug: I also know Eduardo Montez is Javier’s father. I will protect you. Please trust me. Give me three days before you disappear.
Again, her response doesn’t come, and I’m just about to leave the house to find her when my phone vibrates.
Maria: I can’t.
Tug: Please. I’m begging.
Maria: Let me go.
Tug: No fucking way! I love you.
The seconds tick away as I wait for her reply. I know she’s going to trust me. She has to.
Maria: I love you, too. 3 days.
Tug: I will be at your place by nine and I will make sure you’re safe. Is Javier with you?
Maria: No, he wanted to stay with Drew another night.
Tug: Is that safe?
Maria: Eduardo won’t come to Mexico.
Tug: Please try to sleep. I love you.
Maria: I’m sorry
Tug: I know. I’m going to handle this.
