Perfect Enemies

3

Rey slammed her book shut and jumped up to hug me. “It’s so good to see you! I thought the break would never end.” “I’m sure mine wasn’t as rough as yours, but I’ve been anxious to get back so we could talk again. Not being able to communicate sucked.” We released one another and settled into the chairs at her table. I was pleased to see that her bruise had healed, and she bore no other obvious signs of abuse. I had assumed that would be the case with her father gone but wasn’t entirely sure. “Have you come up with any ideas on how to hide me away?” Her face was so hopeful that I had trouble maintaining eye contact. “Not exactly, but it’s nothing to worry about,” I assured her. I was a little nervous about what to do, but I would never tell her that. I didn’t want her to worry. “I considered petitioning for your emancipation before you’re eighteen in May, but that would be difficult and wouldn’t necessarily keep your father from stealing you away. Our best bet is to get some money together and hide you.” She wouldn’t be able to work anywhere without paperwork, so she’d need enough money to survive until I could find a way to get fake documents. I’d watched enough movies to know that stuff existed. I just needed to figure out where to get them. The other problem? Money. Something I’d never thought much about. Her father didn’t let her have any of her own, of course. That would have given her a certain degree of freedom and power, and an asshole like him could never allow that. I had a trust fund and would gladly give her some of my money, but as a minor, I still needed my father’s permission to withdraw funds until I turned eighteen. I didn’t think he’d be willing to support the escape of the cartel leader’s daughter. Our families were already at odds. Helping Reyna disappear might stir up an even greater war than they were already facing. My birthday was in March. If we could make it until then, I could get to my money and help her. My dad would know I’d taken the money, but only after the fact. That would get Reyna to freedom, but to have any chance of long-term success, she needed a new identity—a driver’s license and social security number at the very least. Where the hell was I supposed to find those? That was the wall I kept running into. Anyone with shady connections who might be able to help me was also connected to my father and would likely rat me out. I’d gone round and round over the limited options. So far, blackmail seemed my best bet. If I could leverage a secret over someone, I could keep them from telling my father. It wasn’t my best plan ever, but it was all I had at the moment. “I do have a little money,” Reyna confessed. “But it wouldn’t support me for long.” “I’ll get it all sorted out,” I assured her. “You just keep your father at bay and try not to worry. Come on, bell’s about to ring.” She rolled her eyes but followed me. We walked to first period English, which was one of three classes we had together. Our school was small compared to city public schools but decently large for a private K-12. I could guarantee I’d know most of the faces in any given class but having classes with friends wasn’t a given. The four classes Reyna and I had shared during the first semester had dropped to three, which would have to do. At least we got to start our day together. We slid into the front-row seats we’d occupied the first semester and got ready for class. I hardly paid any attention to the other students filtering into the room. Most were still sipping their mochaccinos and waking up, uninterested in conversation so early in the morning. I vaguely took notice of a rumbling masculine voice but snapped to attention when the words new student drifted to my ears. I casually shifted my gaze to peer at the newcomer, only to find him staring straight at me. Unapologetic. Demanding and utterly mouthwatering. He wasn’t just attractive; he was the personification of unattainable perfection. The ideal beauty standard every i********: model promotes but has to use filters to achieve. His broad, square shoulders and chiseled jaw gave him an edgy look that warned against messing with him like thorns on a rose. Sandy-blond hair flopped down close to his eyes but left just enough room to allow his penetrating gold stare to pierce through beneath. His irises weren’t brown or hazel. I’d never seen anything like them. It was almost as though they were lit from behind like the incandescent glow of a harvest moon. With that kind of natural beauty, this guy had probably never been told no in his whole life. No doubt he believed he was God’s gift to women. No matter how pretty he might be, that kind of drama was never worth it. He was trouble incarnate, and his calculating stare flicked with interest from me to Reyna. Oh, hell no. I could handle myself, but Reyna was different. She was sensitive and had way too much to deal with to add a womanizing playboy to the list. He could take that hypnotic stare and focus it somewhere else—anywhere else besides my sweet, innocent friend. Most of the seats in class had been filled except for a couple near the back. He never even considered them. Instead, he approached the girl sitting in the desk behind me and squatted down so he was eye level with her. I refused to turn and watch him lest he interpreted my attention as encouragement. All I could do was sit, spine tall and ears pricked for the slightest sound. “Hey, my name’s Kane,” he offered in a sultry murmur. “This is my first day, and I guess I’m a little late to get a seat at the front. I hate not to see the board, and since I misplaced my glasses while we were unpacking, would you be a sweetheart and let me have your seat?” He spoke to her intimately as though they were longtime friends making a deeply personal arrangement. It was pure manipulation. He was a master con artist who painted his way through life with strokes of flattery and flashes of his perfect smile. It made me sick. “Oh, of course. Yeah … here.” The girl slid from her desk and gathered her bag. “I’m Paisley … um, yeah, okay.” She stumbled over her words as she retreated to the back of the room, drunk off the gift of his attention. You have got to be kidding me. I couldn’t help myself. I glanced over my shoulder at him, shooting him a scathing glare. “Ouch,” he murmured. “Not sure what I did to deserve that.” I ignored him, but his comment drew Reyna’s attention. He pounced on the opportunity. “Hey, I’m Kane.” I could hear the smarmy grin in his words. Just as I feared, Reyna’s cheeks were flushed bright pink when I peered over at her. “I’m Reyna,” she said shyly. “What lunch do you have? I don’t know anyone yet, and I hate to sit alone if I don’t have to.” Oh, brother. This master manipulator would chew up my sweet friend and spit her out the moment something better came along. There was no way in hell I was letting that happen.