Read Unveiled (Vargas Cartel #2) for Free Online Page B

Was it nice?” she asked, but I could tell she didn’t care about the answer. My inability to get my shit together hurt her. I’d alienated my only true friend.
    I swallowed over the lump growing in my throat with alarming efficiency. “No,” I admitted. “I hated it. I hated the flowers. I hated the food. I don’t want to marry him.”
    Her eyes snapped to mine. “Why? What are you saying?”
    “Evan was waiting for me when they released me—”
    “Wait,” she interrupted. “When who released you?”
    I sucked in a weighted breath. “The Vargas Cartel. From what I pieced together, they abducted me as leverage to secure the release of Ignacio’s son from a U.S. prison.”
    “Ignacio?”
    “Ignacio is the head of the Vargas Cartel,” I clarified. “I guess they’d been watching me for a while. As the attorney general, my dad can influence the pardon process. That’s why they took me. They wanted to force the U.S. government to release Ignacio’s son.”
    Vera’s mouth opened and closed at least three times before she spoke. “Did they hurt you?”
    I didn’t know how to answer that question. People asked me that same question so many times in so many ways I’d lost count. She scanned my face looking for clues, or scars, or whatever people thought they could see.
    My eyes dropped to my lap, and I brushed my hand over the faint pink scar on my neck. Ignacio had nicked my neck with a knife during a live video conference with Evan and his dad. Ignacio’s assault scared me, but my relationship with Ryker damaged me deep down where Ignacio never could. He made me want him. Crave him. Need him.
    I smirked, but the action felt forced and unnatural. “I’m still alive. That’s all that matters.”
    “Have you told anyone what happened?”
    I shook my head, trying to erase the conflicting emotions, rising like a tidal wave from my gut. “No.”
    “Do you want to tell me what happened?” She placed her hand on the base of her throat, her green eyes suspiciously glossy. “I won’t judge you or think differently of you. No matter what happened or what you did to survive, you’ll always be my best friend. I promise.”
    “I know you wouldn’t judge me, but I’m not ready to talk about it.” I waved away the waitress as she approached our table. I needed to ask Vera something before I lost my nerve. “Right now I need something else from you.”
    “What’s that?”
    I cast a glance around the restaurant, making sure I didn’t know any of the other patrons. I selected a little-known restaurant, but my family and Evan’s family had a large circle of acquaintances. I needed to be careful. I didn’t want any of this to get back to Evan before I had a chance to talk to him. “Can I move into your apartment?”
    “Of course,” she responded without hesitation. “You’re always welcome to stay with me. You’re my best friend.”
    Smiling, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s only temporary until I find an alternative, but I need to get out of Evan’s apartment, and I can’t go home. My mom is determined to see me marry Evan. She won’t stop.”
    She scooted to the edge of her chair. “Are you going to break off your engagement?”
    “Yes. I can’t marry him. I think I’m in love with someone else.” I cringed inwardly, and I lowered my gaze, afraid to see her reaction. In all honesty, I didn’t know what I felt for Ryker. Part of me suspected I could love Ryker. He made my blood sing and my body hum. The other part of me believed our connection revolved around sex, and not even sex wrapped in a nice, neat bow with the façade of romance and sweet murmurings.
    “Hold on.” She waved her hand, and the corners of her eyes crinkled as she scrunched her face in surprise. “I think I missed something. Who do you think you’re in love with?”
    “This is the part I don’t want to talk about.” My eyes flickered to the side, avoiding eye contact as my insides flamed with