“What do you mean she’s safe? How do you know that? How long have you known it?” I fire off  my questions like bullets leaving a chamber. I know Chaos has kept things from me. I know he did it because he cares.  He’s kept a few things from me it seems, and no matter how much I care for him he needs to understand that he has to be honest with me. I haven’t seen my sister in years, or even spoken to her....and he knows that she is safe? How does he know that?

Chaos’ face contorts with regret. He’s rethinking what he just said, realizing that he fucked up and shouldn’t have said a damn thing. He’s right. I’ll let some things go, but not others and definitely not this. “I just know and I’ll keep good on my promise. You just have to trust me”

“You have got to be kidding me” I spit out, glaring at him with all my might. “You just said that Camila’s safe! My little sister who I tell you that I miss terribly...and from the looks of it you have known this for a while and you just want me to trust you? I am just supposed to be a quiet, well behaved girl until you decide I can speak to her? No. No. No. Nope!” I place my hands under me on the mattress and throw on one of Chaos’ shirts before I walk over to the door. I don’t give a damn that I’m completely bare under this shirt. Chaos is tall and lean so it looks like I’m wearing a dress, just hitting below my knees.

I pull the door open with all of my might.

Where the fuck is Reed?

Reed is standing in the doorway of the clubhouse. I assume that he must’ve just come in. “Ah! You are the man I am looking to pick a bone with.” I snarl at him.

“Listen, Mar, we’ll talk about this cartel shit later. There’s a lot on my plate right now.”

“This isn’t about the cartel, culo. I want to know where my sister is, and if she’s okay. Chaos seems to think she is safe, so do you want to tell me how he knows that information and I do not?”

Reed takes in a deep breath and sighs, looking to where Chaos has appeared right next to me “Sorry, Prez. I was just tryin’ to comfort her and shit. No idea she was gonna huff and puff at you for answers.”

“What do you know about my sister?!”

“Why would I tell you when the cis heavy on my ass about giving you back to them? What would you even do if I did tell you where Camila is? Would you run over to her? Fuck, I know you would but you wanna know what would happen the second you got there? The cartel would be right behind you, happy as fuck that you were leading them to your sister. That’s why I didn’t tell you a damn thing? Cause of this fuckin’ behavior. I knew that no matter what you were going to make a big scene about shit. Telling you is too compromising for your safety and Camila’s. Not only would they have you again Maria, they’d have her. Is that what you really want?”

“I only want to know she is okay. We haven’t spoken to each other in years....It has been years, Reed.”

“I understand you’re pissed and rightfully so, but over my dead body are you gonna find out where she is and jeopardize you’re fucking safety. It’s my job to protect you, not send you to the executioner!”

“You aren’t my father.” I snap, throwing my hands up in the air. “Stop acting like you are!”

Reed laughs, “I’ve done a hell of a job compared to him. How do you think you even ended up with Rafael in the first place, Mar? Hmm? You think it was just by the Devil’s actions that he took you? Think harder. Think about that night, cause Rafael told me who handed you over to him and I think you don’t even know what happened.”

“Explain.”

“Your father traded you and your sister’s life for his, after Rafael killed your mother.”

I shake my head in complete disbelief, tears threatening to break through at any given moment. “That’s a lie!”

“Why would I lie about it?”

“Not you, Rafael. He lied. My Padre would have never done such a thing, never. No. He wouldn’t...” Reed gives me a sympathetic look as I stammer off in my words. I stop talking, knowing better. Knowing that you can never assume anything in life and that there is always a possibility of the horrendous happening. Nothing is ever as it seems, and I think that I should know that more than anyone.

“He did, Maria. I know you don’t want to hear it, but it’s the truth. You need to trust me that Camila is in a safe place, and when the cartel is off our backs I promise that I will make sure you both are reunited.”

I nod, grabbing Chaos’ hand and lead him back to the bedroom. When we’re out of earshot, I turn to him. “You said you could get me in contact with Camila, so do it”