Page 69 of Bitter Lies

No surprise there. I’m sure Rico knew all about the king’s reputation for being a womanizer. Didn’t want his daughter mixed up with a man who was clearly using her for one thing.

“When they made it official, I accepted it. Never questioned Ramon being the baby’s father. Especially once it became obvious she was pregnant, and he married her.”

When he pauses, I have to ask, “She was involved with King Ramon before running off with your father? Bet that went over well. Do you think she was seeing them both at the same time? Would she have done that?”

“Maybe. She craved the attention. Never shied away from doing things that weren’t socially acceptable.” He tilts his head back, drawing in a slow breath before speaking. “When I spoke with Alma, she mentioned Sofia had known about the pregnancy when she went to my father for help. That he was only giving her a place to stay while she figured things out.”

He swallows like something sour has taken over his mouth. “Sofia was afraid Ramon would think she’d gotten pregnant to trap him. Meaning she was pregnant when we… she used me, and I let her.”

His shoulders grow tense. “Probably for the best my father found us when he did. My life wasn’t the right one for her or the baby she was already carrying.”

Clearing his throat, he takes one last puff before flicking the butt of his ciggy onto the ground. “After that, I wanted nothing more to do with her. I made a promise to myself to never let another woman manipulate me like that again.”

The way he grinds his foot to snuff out the burning butt tells me he’s not over it. Not by a long shot.

I let it go but store this information so I can pull it out later. Something about the whole tale smells fishy.

Everything I’ve learned about Sofia Lopez Reyes raises red flags. Nothing should be taken at face value. She didn’t hesitate to kill a man—a king—when she thought he was tossing her aside. Now I’m questioning everything.

Would she lie about who Isabel’s father is? And if she did… how the hell did she pull it off?

A man like Ramon wouldn’t just take her word. He’d have demanded proof.

Which brings me back to Alma’s words in her confused state. Now I don’t know what to believe.

After hearing Silas’s confession… I’m starting to think she’s not as far off as everyone assumes.

Chapter 26

Isabel

A deep, resonant snore pulls me from my midday slumber. The hot breath seeping through the light blanket tells me it’s not Aiden’s—unless he’s camped out by my arse and has his face buried between my thighs.

I mean…unlikely. Not impossible. But it seems like a strange way to sleep.

Reaching behind me, I pat the furry head and get goosed when Bear lifts his head to lick my hand. His legs kick out as he stretches, wiggling closer. Stopping when his head lands on my shoulder, he peers over it at me.

“Thanks for keeping me warm.” The little grunts he makes when I scratch his nose tells me he enjoys it. “You’re such a good boy.”

Flipping onto my back, I smile when he maneuvers his body on top of mine. I remember when Valentina, Lorenzo’s first St. Bernard, used to do the same. Her body would crush mine, but I never cared. I loved it when she snuggled in and got comfortable.

“Lucky bastard.” Aiden grumbles from his bedroom door.

I was so busy getting puppy loves I didn’t hear him open the door. Embarrassed by how much of his time I’ve wasted, I scratch Bear’s head once more before working my way out from under him.

“What time is it?” I yawn and cover my mouth.

“A quarter to twelve.” His voice, flat and emotionless as granite, tells me he’s back to work, and I’m likely interrupting his usual daily mischief.

“Thanks for letting me crash here.” I slip my feet back into shoes I don’t remember taking off. “Point me to my phone and I’ll call my guards. Let them know I’m better and ready to go. I appreciate you giving me the space to gather my thoughts and emotions.”

“No.” Without saying more, he turns and disappears.

I’m hot on his heels. “What do you mean, no?”

After looking over his shoulder, he opens the fridge and removes several items. “No. Sit. I’ll make us a sandwich before we go.”

“No.” This time it’s my turn to utter the two letters and show him how hearing that feels. “You aren’t⁠—”