Page 201 of Embriagado

“You don’t know shit about him, so watch it. And whether we’re together or not, it’s none of your fucking business.” I closed the distance between us and brought my lips against his ear. “The only thing you do need to know is that he was with me that night, got it? We fucked till morning, so there you have it. I’m his fucking alibi, you fucker.”

I pulled away only to watch him glare at me, hurt mixed with anger in his eyes. Clearly, he got the message, and I was ready to move on when he huffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

“You’re an idiot.”

“What?” I scowled.

He turned around so we were fully facing each other. “He doesn’t need a fucking alibi,” he hissed, pointing at the police station. “Your boyfriend is in there, all friendly with the chief.” Closing his eyes, his whole face scrunched up. “What truly gets me is that while the rest of us are following the fucking law, scum like him shit all over it.”

I pointed at him. “I told you to watch it⁠—”

“I’m not scared of you, Santiago, only disappointed.”

It was the first time in our lives that Gabriel looked at me with such a pitiful expression. The same expression that was the sole reason I’d refused to see him while I did time. And yet, there I was, completely free, being looked down on by him. And what bothered me above all was that a part of me knew I deserved it. Since the day I got involved with Ariyan, I knew it was a bad call, and yet, it didn’t stop me from getting more and more wrapped up.

Not then, and not now.

“Save your pity for someone else, Gabriel.”

Looking me dead in the eyes, he taunted, “And I’m the fool… That guy doesn’t even care about you.”

A sharp spike of rage stabbed through my core.

“You know shit.”

His stare hardened. “I know he had something to do with her disappearance.”

“Her?”

“Yeah. Olivia Pérez.”

The name made my blood freeze.

“While you two were apparently fucking, she went missing.” He walked down another step, shaking his head. “But whatever. I’m no longer on the case.”

Typical of Gabriel, he made his point, then fled, leaving me to watch him walking away after dropping such a bomb. Although he couldn’t have known how critical this piece of information was, not really. And now, thanks to him, I was even more desperate to track down Ariyan. Only he’d already found me.

“What are you doing here?” Ariyan snarled, eyes furious, as he moved down the steps to meet me at eye level.

“I came to be your alibi.”

The crease between his brows deepened. “I didn’t need your help.”

“Sorry for caring,” I hissed bitterly.

“For God’s sake. I already made it clear I don’t want you involved in things that don’t concern you.”

Pissed off at his act, I climbed a step higher so I’d tower over him. “Only it looks like it does concern me.” My jaw twitched as I stared him dead in the eyes. “Where the fuck is she?”

“Who?”

“Don’t fuck with me.” I could feel the veins bulging in my neck. “The girl. Olivia.”

His nose scrunched up. “Why do you smell like that? Did you smoke?”

Pissed at his attempt to change the subject, I clicked my tongue. “Who gives a shit how I smell. Where is she?”

“How would I know?” He stepped back. “Anyway, look at the time. I must go back to the hotel⁠—”