Page 84 of Hostile Rival
“It’s better to learn the bad stuff first. Get it all out of the way. Believe me, there are good things to come, Dani.”
I snatch the bottle from him and take a second drink, longer this time. My muscles are tense as the bad memories start to creep out of the darkest corners of my mind.
I’ve never spoken to anyone about the true extent of my trauma. Blanco knew what had happened, but I didn't go into detail. He filled in the blanks himself and took me under his protection once the paternity test was confirmed.
“Telling you what happened won’t change the past.”
“I know.” He shrugs. “I’m just curious to learn what haunts you when you close your eyes at night.”
“Most of the time it's blinding light. The intensity of it and helplessness.” I sigh heavily. “What was the song you played when we were driving around the coast on the motorcycle?”
“You liked that…huh? I thought you might. It’sSwedish House Mafia, Ray of Solar.”
My belly somersaults when the jet takes to the air and banks left. “It’s important for me to understand exactly what you went through.”
“What if you don’t like what I tell you?”
“I’m a big boy, little firecracker.”
“Fine…” I take another drink before slipping back in time. “I refused to keep the waxy balls of cocaine up my ass and was knocked unconscious because of it. I’ve no clue how long I was out, but the smell of decay hit me when I came around…”
Subconsciously, my hand moves to my nose. “And then I saw her…the woman I’d befriended in a club hours before. She was lying beside me…just staring…her expression blank.”
Matheus’ hand settles on my thigh, the weight of it reminding me I’m not in that barn with all those dead girls. I look out the corner of my eye at his heavy frown.
“I was mostly naked and stole clothes from girls who’d been dead for some time…the bullet holes in their foreheads hadcongealed and their limbs were stiff and cold. I had to get out of there.”
My lungs tighten and Matheus gently grips my leg. “And you did, baby. Take another drink.”
I do as he says and blink rapidly, hating how shaky I’ve become.
“I heard a helicopter landing somewhere outside and knew Elias Souza had arrived. I’d heard one of the guys on the phone say his name. I was fucking terrified…and that smell. God, it was horrendous. Sometimes I think it was worse than the painful light in my eyes. But they were both harrowing. I counted the seconds, waiting and listening to every sound. I prayed no one would come near the barn, so I’d have a chance to escape. But when I reached the door, there were voices outside. They grew louder and then the door started to open. Instincts kicked in and I threw myself on the ground, pretending to be dead. That’s when I saw Tomás Souza.”
“Tommy?” he murmurs. “He was there?”
I hold my breath and watch his brow furrow as the name sinks in.
“At that point in time, I didn’t know who he was.” I continue. “But when he strolled inside, a twenty-something year old gangster, dressed in his smart designer suit and shiny shoes, he had the audacity to swear under his breath as if he didn’t know what was going on in that place. His cold, black eyes drilled into my face…he saw me, Matheus. He saw all of those murdered women piled up. And he didn't care because he gave the order to burn the bodies and hide the evidence. In his hurry to leave, the barn door didn’t close properly, and that's how I got out. I scrambled into the daylight and ran straight for the trees.”
“Tommy…” Matheus repeats his brother's name. “He didn’t know you were alive, Dani. He’s ruthless in many ways but?—”
I stiffen and bare my teeth slightly. “He would have put a bullet in my head and set me on fire if he knew I was still breathing. Monsters aren’t heroes, Matheus.”
He stares at me, deep in thought, then brings his face close to mine, showing me the displeasure etched across it. “Are you planning to kill my big brother on his wedding day, Dani?”
32
MATHEUS
My pulse hammers in my throat. Being this close to her has that effect on me. Always does.
Although this time, there’s something else setting it off too.
Fear.
Did I really get in deep with a woman who has Tomás on her own personal vendetta list? I’d look like a fool and Giovanni would do more than just kick me out of The Covenant for fucking up.
Family comes first.
