Page 52 of Bitter Lies

“I tried.” Being a smart man, he’ll see right through that. “But I’m invested now. I’m not walking away when something doesn’t add up. Her grandmother’s already said enough to raise questions. What’s the story with King Ramon and Sofia Lopez? How and when did they meet?”

After I had a chance to think, I realized that Sofia is Isabel’s mum. Now I have questions.

Why did Alma believe Rico’s forgiveness would protect Sofia’s baby? What the hell was that all about? And did I even want to know?

The only reason I cared was because my gut told me it affected the woman I was quickly falling for. And she deserved the truth, even if it meant uncovering some cruel and bitter lies.

“What are you getting at?” Darius must sit down because I hear a high-pitched squeak echo over the line.

I walk over to a bench and take a seat, gazing out at the horizon. The sun is just beginning to peek over the buildings, casting up the sky in a pink haze.

“Alma has dementia.” I lean back against the hard metal, stretching my legs out. “She was worried about Rico forgiving Sofia. Claimed if he found out the truth, he’d send them away. That it was the safest option for the baby. Couldn’t place Sofia at first, but a quick search fixed that. She was Isabel’s mother. So now…”

I let that sink in as a couple passes by with a small child.

Silence settles between us, broken only by the clicking of keys on the other end, telling me the line is still open. If I had a choice, I’d be parked in front of my laptop, pulling up everything I could to piece this together.

“Well, fuck.” Darius grunts as his chair squeaks again. “You and I both know that the ramblings of a confused woman cannot be trusted as fact.”

“I do. But it’s worth digging into.” I stroke the rough stubble on my chin. “I’m not letting Izzy out of my sight until I know what the fuck is going on. So, fix it. Do whatever you have to do before I end up kidnapping her. Because I will.”

“Please don’t even joke about that.” My boss’s voice lacks amusement.

“I’m not joking.” And I’m not. If kidnapping her is the only way to ensure her safety, I’ll do it in a heartbeat.

“Maybe I should pull you⁠—”

“No!” I shoot to my feet, my fist tight by my side, ready to strike. “You do, and you’ll regret it. She’s coming home with me. After that, I’m not sure. Until we have the entire story, I’m not comfortable turning her over to her guards. Not after what happened.”

There’s a long pause before Darius speaks. “As soon as I know more, I’ll share. But dammit, Aiden, you can’t interfere. Her brother is rearranging his schedule as we speak so he can come to London.”

His attempts to convince me it’ll be handled doesn’t mean shit, and he can fuck right off.

“Good to know, but I don’t care.” I stand my ground, unwilling to back down.

Darius’s voice rises with each word, his frustration bleeding through. “Listen to me very closely. Are you listening?”

Through gritted teeth, I say, “I’m listening.”

“Back off. Walk away. If Isaac thinks her guards screwed up, he’ll deal with them. Your job is to get me what I need on the Doyles.” I picture his face turning red as he speaks. “I will fire you. Don’t test me. If this turns into a clusterfuck because you were thinking with your dick, I’ll make you regret it. The hell I’ll bring will be worse than what Trent will do to you if he ever learns you’re a plant. Do your job. Let them do theirs.”

My gut burns with anger, but I don’t argue. I’ll let it go—for now. Next fuck up, I’m taking over.

How? Doesn’t matter. Anyone who tries to stop me will quickly learn I’m not someone you fuck with.

I ignore the comment about my dick. If I push that, he’ll fire me; and that helps no one.

Darius jumps in, eager to fill the silence when I stubbornly stay quiet. “I’m taking your silence as a yes.”

“Take it however you want.” Safer not to say yes. He can’t use it against me later.

“I get it.”

The sound of a car approaching draws my attention. I turn as the driver steps out, and our gazes lock. Tension snaps tight between us. Ryan and I will never be friends. We hate each other for very different reasons.

“Do you? Would you allow your wife to have shitty guards?” It’s below the belt, but I need him to understand.

“Careful, Aiden. That makes it sound like you’re more involved than you’ve admitted.” A quiet chuckle echoes over the line before he continues. “But no. I handpicked hers and made it clear that one fuck-up meant they’d never work in this field again. Anywhere.”