Page 30 of Savage Devil
“You did?” I ask, surprised. He and Miguel always seemed close, almost like he looked up to him.
“Yeah. Miguel is in some shady shit. The way he talks sometimes when it’s just the guys,” a shrug. “I brush it off as just talk but now …”
I place a hand on his arm. “Not your fault. You couldn’t have known. None of us knew he was capable of something like this.”
“I know. But, I’m… I’m sorry, Bibi. I told your mom I couldn’t help. Wouldn’t. If he’s guilty, I’m not going to use the firm’s connections to get him off. They’ll have to figure things out on their own.”
“Good.” Miguel can rot for all I care.
“It’s just…” he hesitates. “It looks like your mom is going to stand by him on this one. He’s in the hospital. He’ll be taken to the precinct once his injuries allow it but…” he trails off.
Moisture pools in the corners of my eyes and I blink it away. I shouldn’t be surprised. She’d said as much yesterday.
“So…” I trail off, unsure what it is that I’m asking exactly.
Jae holds one arm out while his other supports Luis’s weight. I step into his embrace, relishing the security and comfort of just being held. “I’m here for you. I’m worried about you,” he says, conviction in his voice.
I slowly pull away and stare up into his eyes, a fierce determination on his face. “We’re not your problem,” I tell him, and his jaw tightens.
“You’re my friend. That’s reason enough to give a damn about your well-being.”
Fair enough. “I’m not sure there’s really anything you can—”
“Move in with me,” he says, his words taking me back.
“What?”
He hands Luis back to me and shoves his hands into his pocket, squaring his shoulders. “Move in with me.”
I can’t be hearing him right.
“Miguel has an entire team of lawyers working for him. Even if he doesn’t get off, he will get out on bail. They’re already drawing up the paperwork for his release. You’re not safe here. Neither is Luis. I think you should move in with me.”
Before he finishes, I’m shaking my head. “I—I can’t move in with you.” I say, though what choice do I have if what he says is true? If Miguel gets out, this is his house. His home. I can’t stay here if he’s here. And Mom… I don’t even know what she’s going to do. We haven’t talked since she ran out to follow him. I need to call her. Figure out what she’s planning. Convince her that he isn’t someone worth defending.
“Bibi—”
I raise a hand to stop him. “I’ll think about it,” I tell him, and I will. “But he’s not here yet. He’s still in the hospital and it’s the weekend. At best, he’ll get out Monday.” With any luck it’ll be later than that. “Let’s just hold off a bit and see what happens.”
He doesn’t look happen but nods. “Okay. But if you need anything,”
“I know. And thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate that.” I’ve made friends at school but they’re new. Fragile. It’s not like I can call Allie or Kasey and ask to move in with them and while Monique would want to help, no way would her family approve. I’m grateful I have Jae at least.
He looks around the room, spotting the garbage bag and bucket of bloody water. “I know he was arrested and is accused of raping a student at Sun Valley High. Wanna fill me in on the rest?”
For whatever reason, I completely unload all of last night’s events on Jae. From the second everyone arrived to Emilio finding out he’s Luis’s father. It’s takes twenty minutes to give him all the details and when I finally finish, he’s wide-eyed with a stunned expression on his face.
“Shit. That’s a lot to process.”
“No kidding.”
“Do you know what you’re going to do next? What he—”
A knock at the door halts his next words. “Let me get it,” he says, moving to answer the door. Emilio is on the other side, freshly showered, his hair still wet. His eyes are narrowed at Jae, but they soften when he spots Luis in my arms behind him.
“Hey, can I come in?” He barely acknowledges Jae’s existence.
I nod and have to tug on the back of Jae’s shirt when he doesn’t step aside to let Emilio in.
