Falling For My Sister's Killer

Chapter4: When Secrets Unravel

Salsa

His fists connected with Vincente’s jaw. Once. Twice. Thrice…..

I lost count. I just stood there frozen. Then I felt his warmth melting my skin. His eyes filled with genuine concern. “Are you okay?” He asked softly. “Did he hurt you?”

I shook my head, my body trembling slightly.

“Take care of this bastard.” He muttered to the guards, who I didn’t realize were standing by the doorway.

Then he did the unexpected, swooped me off my feet. My body fit into his arms perfectly. His musky scent filled my nostrils, making my stomach lurch. My heart was beating softly in my chest as I admired his annoyingly perfect jawline. He beat up a family member for my sake? Just what games are you playing?

Amidst that, my mind kept drifting back to the video Vincente said could ruin my life. Was he bluffing? Or was he telling the truth?

Either way, I was now sure of one thing. He and Sam had history. Intimate history that left evidence. When he hugged me earlier, I thought it was just a kind gesture. But when he touched me this night, he did it like he knew every inch of my body. Sam’s body. Like he owned it and had claimed it a thousand times before.

One thing I learnt from my father is that men like Vincente may be unhinged but not stupid. He will likely keep his insurance policy close, probably in his phone or laptop.

But for the time being. I’ll buy myself time and go along with the sick game, he thinks Sam is playing, because if that Video gets out? I will be thrown out before I get close to the Alexanders and find Sam’s killer.

The following morning, my eyes fluttered open. The room was flooded with white light. A familiar cologne wafted through my nostrils. It was unmistakably Damien’s. I turned slowly, letting out a yawn. Damien wasn’t on his side.

On the side table. I spotted a bouquet of red roses with a note on it. That was where the floral scent was coming from. I walked over and read from the note.

“You snore a lot. I went out. Join the family for breakfast.” I scoffed, flipping the card, “From a darling husband to his substitute bride.”

“I don’t snore.” I spat, flinging the card on the floor, “F*ck you. Damien.” I scowled, screaming into the pillow. God, I feel so embarrassed. He had to be such an ass about it. So much for a ‘darling husband’.

I grabbed the flowers, taking a whiff as I walked to my room. How did he know I loved these? I caught myself smiling as I stopped at the mirror. God. I looked weird. I immediately wiped the smile off my face. “Get your head in the game. Don’t get fooled.” I made a mental note, and a steely resolve took over.

After washing up, I went down the stairs. I asked the maids for directions to the dining room. They showed me. As I walked down the hall, my eyes caught a door slightly ajar. I looked over my shoulder, stylishly. No one was behind. I took a sneak peek. The first thing that caught my eye. Vincente’s portrait, draped on the wall.

The shower was running, and I could hear him singing in the bathroom. So much for someone who got punched in the face last night.

My heart pounded in my chest as the idea of going through his things crept into my head. I stepped inside. His computer was lying on the bed. The light shone softly on the screen. Fear rippled through me as I took a tentative step forward.

With my special skills in computer engineering. I hacked into his computer. Too easy. Something felt off. The password was 12345. Who on earth uses that as a password?

I was still going through folders when I heard a deep voice behind me.

“I knew you’d fall into my trap. You know, you are so predictable, Sam.” My blood ran cold as I felt his light steps behind me, his wet feet lifting off the floor. “But I still love you and that body of yours, even after your petulant attitude last night

My spine straightened involuntarily as I turned to face him. Jaw tight. My heart threatened to explode in my chest.

He was so close, I could smell the fresh minty scent of his shampoo. “Damien is not around to save you, now, Princess.” His lips curved into an evil smirk. I spotted a red bruise on his cheek. An open cut on his swollen lips. A black eye. He was roughed up pretty well. Maybe not good enough to know his place.

“If you come closer, I’m going to scream.”

“Oh yeah? Be my guest. What will you tell them you were doing in my room? When my name is written boldly on the door,”

Manipulative son of a b*tch. He was right. I will be in deeper sh*t if I did that. I have only one option left. To play along with his so-called ‘plan’ as soon as I find out exactly what it is.

“Does Damien know? About us?”

“Oh no, don’t worry, he doesn’t. It’s our little secret.”

“What explanation did you give him for last night?”

“Being the family’s delinquent has its benefits. Told him I was drunk, thought you were one of my wh*res. We have our differences. He hates my guts. And I hate his. But we can't gut one another. It will start a war. Stupid Limitations make me resort to underground schemes. But you already know all that.” He ran circles on my confused face, “Right?” My nerves tensed up. Throat bobbed. Once…twice as he glared at me.

“Ye..yes. of course.” The lie tasted bitter. I didn't know sh*t. I was not interested enough.

His hand fisted through my hair and then my neck, making my skin crawl. “Just stick to the f*cking plan……”

This f*cking plan again.

I knew entering this room was a terrible idea. I should have listened to my gut. But this could be my chance to find out exactly what this fool was on about.

“Remind me again. What was my part in this plan, again?” His eyes flashed with suspicion. I immediately did something that disgusted the s**t out of me. Kissed his lips, God, I nearly threw up. “I sustained a temporary memory loss during the accident!”

Another f*****g lie.

He bit his lip seductively and fixated a standard gaze that said. ‘I want to eat you for breakfast.’

“The plan was in two parts. We were to sell our families' protected witness locations and safe house information to the Casianos' family,” I recognize that name. Anytime it cae back my father would smash his whiskey glass. That’s how much he hated them.

“That night, you never showed up. We lost the buyers. Why were you not present that night, Sam? You knew how important it was to us.”

Oh f**k. What’s with his questions? Impersonating Sam is not as easy as I thought.

“My father, he uhmm…. Had me stay for a meeting,”

“That’s strange?” His rows arched, and my heart sank. “I seem to remember correctly, you said you were close, could be the head injury. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. I found a new buyer, and he’s flying in two days from now. You’ll be coming with me,” My eyes nearly popped in my sockets. “After we get the money, we can proceed to elope as we planned, and take care of our unborn child.”

Unborn child? Can this get any worse. Did I not really know Sam as much as I thought? Sam was pregnant, and those morons didn’t think twice about killing her. Sam, my father’s favourite, was ready to betray him? That was g******e. Did she not care about the consequences? Maybe someone found out? And tried to kill her? Thought I knew and added me to the kill list?

“Did anyone aside from us know about the plan?” I feigned a firm tone.

He leaned back, “You are acting weird, but yeah, there is a relative of yours you were close with.”

“My sister?”

He scoffed, “No. I believe it was….”

He started, but a maid rushed in. He shot her an infuriated gaze. “Maria, what the f**k have I been telling you?”

“I’m sorry. Master Vincente. I suspected she wandered into the wrong room.” She turned to me, “Mrs

Alexander. They are waiting for you downstairs.”

“Perfect timing,” I muttered sarcastically.