Page 111 of Ruin Me With Lies
The men exchange uneasy glances.“What’re you tryna ask us, boss?”
Lorenzo shifts focus and asks Raya directly, “Why’re you wearing a scarf in this dry ass heat?”
My smug satisfaction falters.Shit.I’m so used to her hobo getups that I didn’t even register the scarf.Tied around the neck I strangled two nights ago.
Are there bruises?Two days should be enough time for them to fade, right?
This might still play in my favor, though.No way in hell she’ll drop my name.That would screw whatever cover she’s built with these guys.
“I have the chills.Think I’m coming down with something.”She coughs.“There’s a bug going around.”
She lies so easily.So effortlessly.I want to pin her down and kiss the deceit right off her lips.
“Hm,” Lorenzo grunts again.“Well, let’s go then.Don’t want you getting my men sick.”
“Are you serious?”
“Do I not look serious?”
An Upper leans in and mutters to her low, “Best not to argue.He’s being fake chill right now.One wrong word and someone’s gonna be bleeding.”
Visibly annoyed, Raya slams her pool stick down and stalks up to him.“Fine,boss.Let’s go, then.”
Lorenzo steps aside to let her pass.But as she does, he rips the scarf off her neck, exposing the bruises.Faded, but evident.
Well, shit.
This isn’t how this was supposed to go.But manipulation always has a hidden cost.
“Who did this?”Lorenzo grips her chin, turning her face side to side.“Name.Now.”
Raya knocks his hand away.“It’s not what you think.It’s a sex thing.”
“A sex—who the fuck—” He draws his gun.“Who?Name.NOW.”
The Uppers instantly back up, hands raised in surrender.
“Which of you is it?”Lorenzo’s aim jumps from head to head.“Who.Fucking.Touched her?”
“Oh my god, this is so embarrassing,” Raya groans, burying her face in her hands.
The men lob confused glances at each other.
“Isn’t she into chicks?”one mutters to another.“Why’s he asking us?”
“Lorenzo,” Raya hisses, yanking at his jacket.“Please.Stop.You’re overreacting.”
“I’ll say this once,” Lorenzo says, voice like cold steel.“Raya is.Off.Fucking.Limits.She’s not just another Pink House girl.She’s practically my little sister.So if any of you think you can mess around with her—” He locks eyes with each of them.“You’ll havemeto deal with.”
The men nod, murmuring their understanding.
Raya gapes at Lorenzo, scoffs, then stomps off.Doesn’t even spare me a glance as she blows past and out of the hub.
With one final, sweeping glare over the men, he declares, “Double this month’s salary to whoever brings me the name of the asshole who left those marks on her.”
And on that, he turns and walks out.
The men remain still, watching me with edged caution, bracing.As if they’re expecting me to blow them all to pieces.
