Page 60 of Embriagado

But I did the same, taking notice of his facial features. It was always good to remember people’s faces around here. Once we were left alone, Gabriel stepped closer, looking too damn happy for someone who just pulled an all-nighter.

“Since when do you jog?”

“Since I’m out of prison,” I answered flatly, patience running low. “Now, tell me, why are you here?”

“I’m staying here with Mom and my sisters while my dad’s out for work.” His old man was a long-haul truck driver. “They’re scared after those two guys were murdered at the beginning of the month.”

He’s talking about Ace and Ricky.

“Did you catch the person who did it?” I asked, trying not to sound too interested.

He shook his head. “Unfortunately not. At least, not yet.”

“Nacio said it was a drug deal gone wrong.”

He clicked his tongue, catching my attention.

“You don’t think it is?”

Looking me straight in the eyes, he shrugged. “Honestly, no, not really. You see, the scene was clean. One got a bullet to the back of the head, while the other got one right between the eyes. They were both carrying, too, and yet it didn’t seem like they had time to pull out their guns. So, if you ask me, I bet it was done by a professional.”

A professional?

My brows creased because… why? Who would waste a hit on those two losers?

“But honestly, the men in the station couldn’t give two shits about scum like those guys, so I won’t be surprised if the case is dropped soon.”

Really? Just like that? Two men were shot dead in the middle of the street, and the police didn’t care enough to go after whoever did it?

“You knew them, didn’t you?”

I frowned at him. “Why? Think I had something to do with it?”

Placing both of his hands before him in a mock surrender, he chuckled. “Of course not. Besides, Nacio told me you were at work when it happened.”

My brows drew together. “So you did ask about me.”

“Only because I was worried,” he was quick to clarify while stepping closer. “Your name came up, so I had to make sure you were clear. Don’t worry, you’re off the hook. I took care of it.”

I narrowed my eyes because, “What do you mean?”

“After speaking with Nacio, I went over to your workplace and got the CCTV footage. I wanted to have it just in case someone brought your name up again.”

And while I knew that from everything he’d just said, what I needed to care about was my name coming up on a double homicide case, the first thing that worried me was him going to the hotel because⁠—

“Did you speak to anyone in the hotel?”

He nodded, then crossed his arms. “Yeah. Your manager was actually very eager to help. He’s a nice guy, a bit too good-looking to be working in that field, if you ask me. When I think about it, I can’t remember his name⁠—”

“It doesn’t matter,” I cut into his words, and he scowled. “Just stay out of my business.” I sounded hostile on purpose because Gabriel needed to stay the fuck away from that crazy bastard. If Ariyan found out we had a history, who knew what he’d do. “Anyway, I have to take a shower. See you later.”

“Santiago.” He grabbed my arm, keeping me close. “I didn’t mean to overstep. I was just worried.”

My eyes moved to his hand that held on to me before going up to meet his concerned stare.

“Like I said, we’re not together anymore, so you’ve got no reason to be.”

He slowly dropped his hand from me, yet didn’t look away.