Page 34 of Vicious Little Liar
Did she…
I rush over to the door and twist the handle.
Locked.
Sonova— I should have expected that Andres would have me locked in my room. Nevertheless, I’m disappointed. What does he think I’ll do? Murder his family in their sleep?
I snort
Hardly.
Maybe he expected me to run away? I mean, I’d have at least tried. How could I not? But despite knowing that, this crosses a line. He can’t spout nonsense about me trusting him and how he still cares about me and then imprison me in my room like some Disney Princess locked away in a tower.
With a huff, I spin on my heel and take in the surrounding room. It’s sparsely furnished. There is a large four-poster bed in the center with end tables on either side of it. A dresser on one wall and a small chaise lounge on the other. But there aren’t any photographs or personal touches decorating the room. No artwork. No plants. It’s a guest bedroom and likely one that isn’t often in use. Not that I’m complaining.
Kicking off my heels, I walk across the cool tile floors to the bathroom and find the usual. There is a toilet and double sink, but what immediately draws my eye is the large copper soaking tub. Pursing my lips, I consider my options.
It’s unlikely I’ll be interrupted this evening. Like a toy, Andres has deemed it time that I be put away. There’s always a chance he’ll come for me, but it’s unlikely. Hmm… I’m tempted. Though I don’t have any clean clothes.
Walking back across the bedroom, I open the dresser drawers, surprised when I find a few men’s shirts and a pair of oversized sweats. This will do. Grabbing a button down white shirt and the gray sweatpants, I take them back with me to the bathroom and begin filling the tub.
While the basin fills, I make quick work of scrubbing my underwear in the sink with a small dollop of soap. They won’t be dry enough to wear tonight, but come morning I should be able to put them back on.
With my underwear clean, I leave them to hang over the faucet and strip out of my dress before stepping into the steaming water. A soft sigh escapes me as I sink down into the tub and am enveloped by the water’s warm embrace.
Pressing my forehead to my knees, I blink back a wave of sudden tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. It’s been years since I let myself think about Andres. Since I’ve allowed myself to miss the ghost of a smile that grazed his lips or the dry sense of humor he seemed to only ever show to me.
Despite the years that have passed since we last saw one another, I’m overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions and unsure of what to do next. I missed him. God, I fucking missed him. But I can’t let myself fall prey to whatever trap it is that he has in store for me.
There is no way his reasons for coming back are altruistic, and I can’t put myself in a position where he can break my heart again. I won’t survive it. Though, if my father learns what Andres intends, I’m not so sure I’ll survive that either.
Sorrow prickles against my skin. I had everything planned out. There was a light at the end of the tunnel for me. But now, all I can see is heartache and despair.
I never explained to Andres why sleeping with him will ruin me, but I know he hasn’t forgotten. I won’t give him more reason to keep me. Not when my very life depends on him setting me free.
13
ANDRES
Lingering outside of the door that separates Leticia’s room from my own, I hesitate for longer than I care to admit, uncertain of the welcome I will receive once I step aside.
She’s pissed. Rightfully so. But Leticia needs to let go of her anger and see the bigger picture.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I exhale a harsh breath, my mouth twisting into a grimace.
It’s late. Maybe it’s best that I leave her alone. Give her time to cool off. After a good night’s rest, she’ll come around. Fuck. I should have stepped in sooner. Maybe then she’d be less… hostile.
Pinpricks of worry vibrate beneath my skin. Is it like she said? Am I too late?
No. I won’t allow it.
Fortifying my resolve, I push the door to her room open, but a quick scan of the room’s interior shows it is empty.
What the hell?
There is no way she could have gotten out of here without my knowledge, let alone managed it this quickly. Striding into the room, I check first the main door and then the windows, finding both of them locked from the outside.
A strange tightness grips my chest.
