Cole(53)

Cole didn’t say anything.

I lowered my head. “I had no idea.” I pointed to my computer. “None of this. Liam kept it all secret from me, too. And now it makes sense—why his family never accepted me, why he had meals with them alone, why his younger brother never came home.”

“I’m sorry, Addison—”

“Did you know?” I demanded. “Did you know who I was? Who Liam was?”

He shook his head. “You applied for this place while I was gone. I’m not here that often, so I’m not kept abreast of everything that happens. Dorian runs the building. I trust him. He told me there was a new resident, but I never questioned him about you. It wasn’t until…”

“Until?”

“Until I saw you tonight. I recognized your in-laws, and everything came together.” He hesitated. There was something more he was going to say, but he held it back. He only said, “I didn’t know either. I never even thought…” He let out a deep sigh, taking the seat next to mine on the couch. “Addison, you did nothing wrong. Nothing.”

I pointed to the article on the screen. “It says the Mauricio family and Bertal family are enemies.”

“Were enemies.”

I snorted. “You didn’t look too friendly tonight.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Yeah. Well, there’s a long history of bloodshed, but as of now, the peace still holds between us.”

“That’s good?”

“It is.”

But his eyes were wary, his jaw clenched. His mouth pressed in a solemn line, and I felt a heaviness from him. “You’re lying.” I saw behind his mask.

His eyes widened, sharpening on me.

I sat up, leaning closer to him. “You don’t let me in, but I’m starting to be able to read you. Just a little bit. Something is going on, isn’t it? Between the Bertal family and yours?”

“Addison.”

“Tell me the truth.” Then a whole other idea hit me. “Unless you think I’m part of them. Is that what you think?”

He shook his head. Pain flared in his eyes before he masked it, like he always did. He pushed himself back—an inch, maybe two, but it felt like a rejection. “That’s…that’s the other problem we have.”

“What?”

“I want to tell you. I want to tell you about me, about my family, about my friends. But I can’t.”

“Because of Liam?”

“Because of his family.”

A lump formed in my throat. “They said they’re not a part of that.”

He shook his head. “They’re lying. Liam’s grandmother was a direct descendant of the founding Bertal family.”

“What does that mean?”

“Liam’s great-grandfather started their family business. There were other siblings, but Bea Bertal was active. She ran the books. Even if Liam’s parents claim they aren’t a part of the business, the money trickled down to them, down to Liam, too.”

The inheritance. “What does that matter? You said there’s a truce. What does that have to do with you and me?”

“There might not always be peace.”

His words took mine away. I could be an enemy? Was that what he meant?

“It just means things are complicated,” he added after a moment. “You and me. We’re complicated now.”

My mouth went dry. “You and me?” There was a we to even be complicated? “You’ve been gone for a month.”

“I couldn’t get back until today. Things…got complicated for me.”

“And you can’t tell me about that. You stopped calling and texting. You can’t tell me why? Just like you can’t tell me anything about yourself or about your family, or even about your friends. None of that, right? Because I’m connected to the Bertal family even though I’m not a part of them.” I could feel a flush rising up, covering my neck. It wasn’t the happy kind of flush either. “You’re keeping me out because of people who could be my allies? Am I getting this right? Allies that never showed me any support, that are suing me.”

I shoved off the couch and started to pace. Back and forth. I hugged myself, wrapping my arms tight. “This is ridiculous. All of this. I loved him. I loved Liam so much, and they want to—I don’t even know what they want. They want the house? Is that why they’re suing me? They didn’t give a shit about the house. They didn’t give a shit about me, not until lately.”

“What are you talking about?”

“And you.” I flung a hand out, pointing at him. “You—all hot and hella good in bed. I mean, fuck. Like, fuck. Pun intended. I haven’t felt anything for anyone until you. You swooped into Gianni’s, and my best friend went gaga for you, but I did too. I mean, you’re gorgeous, and you’re ripped. And I always knew you were dangerous. I could just tell. Listen to your gut, that was what Liam always told me. He said if I don’t know what I’m doing, I’m supposed to listen to my gut. Well, my gut took me to your penis, and now look where we are. Your family wants to kill my family, and my family—I don’t even like my family. I’m a Bowman, dammit. I was a Sailer, and your driver called me Sailer. Why did he call me Sailer?”