Page 3 of Split You Open

“I didn’t know Ledger put out the hit on Blair and her father, Santi, I swear.”

His eyes narrow. “And yet… you’re positive about his motives. Explain why I should trust you?”

Other than the fact that we’ve known each other for years?

Then again, we all thought we knew Ledger, too. I guess Santi’s wariness is valid.

I let out a heavy sigh. “I know Ledger won’t kill Blair because he’s done something crazy like this before. Get in the truck and I’ll tell you everything.”

A deep, menacing growl rumbles in Santi’s chest. When he takes a step away from me, I heave a sigh of relief. I don’t think Santi would kill me, but you never know. He’s unpredictable and—most notably—pissed the fuck off.

A month ago, I would’ve bet my life on the fact that I had nothing to fear from the men I’ve been living with. Now, I’m not so sure. Loyalties are being tested. I only hope that Santi will see that I’m the same man I’ve always been: someone who looks out for the people around me.

We both climb back into the truck. As I shift it into drive, I brace myself for the confession I need to make.

Before I can speak, Santi asks in a voice low and menacing, “You were involved with Ashleigh Burr’s kidnapping, weren’t you?”

I jolt in surprise. How the hell does he know about Ashleigh? I look over at him to find Santi’s dark eyes pinned to my face. He’s about as far away from me in his seat as he can get but he’s coiled, ready to strike. His whole body vibrates with tension.

Santi must see the shock on my face because he explains through clenched teeth, “I saw the photos on Ledger’s computer. Then I called her. She was pissed and terrified that I would reach out on behalf of Sparrow to check on her.”

I wince. “Ledger used his alias with her—I guess that was one of his smarter moves when he bought her.”

The hiss that Santiago lets out causes me to tense.

“Bought?”

“It’s not what you think,” I assure him quickly. “Ashleigh was a prostitute in the area. Ledger bought her time—a lot of her time.”

“Why? Because she’s a Blair lookalike?”

Santi really has done his homework. Sometimes I forget that there’s more to him than jokes and smiles.

I nod once. “It had taken me a while to realize that Ledger was hiding a woman in our basement. Too long, if I’m being honest. It wasn’t until I found Ashleigh that I realized something was wrong with Ledger. Like an idiot, I allowed him to keep Ashleigh around—he said it was her, or his best friend’s daughter. At least Ashleigh was there of her own accord. She could’ve left if she wanted.”

Taking a hand off the steering wheel, I reach up and attempt to rub my temple.

This night feels never ending.

“It wasn’t until Ledger stopped coming up from the basement to eat and sleep that I had to put my foot down and stop the madness,” I admit. “I had Ledger send Ashleigh packing. With her gone, he returned to his normal self.”

Santiago’s body doesn’t relax. He doesn’t say anything either. I’d hoped my confession would make him see that I’m not complicit, but I’m realizing that’s not the case. My hand falls back to the steering wheel. Unable to resist, I force myself to look over at Santi.

He’s still glaring, body rigid and jaw clenched.

“If I had known Ledger had set all of this in motion I would’ve stopped—” I choke, my throat squeezing up.

My breath catches and my heart screeches to a halt. If I finish the sentence, I know it will be a lie. I turn my attention back to the road, but when I speak, I make sure there’s no room for misinterpretation.

“Look, has Ledger fucked up? Absolutely. I’m not denying that. But damn it, Santiago…” I glower at the road. “I’m so fucking glad Ledger’s fucked-up obsessiveness brought Blair into my life. She’s so incredible—I will do anything for her. Even if that means sending Ledger after Blair so he brings her back to me. I get why he is the way he is with her because I would move mountains, battle gods, tear through universes for Blair. She’s mine, Santi.”

The words come easily, my passion reverberating in the small cab of the truck. My heart is racing, and my realization about this woman whispers in the back of my head.

I love Blair.

A wave of emotions—ranging from awe to dumbfounded to joy—explode inside of my chest and leave me breathless.

I. Love. Blair.