Page 22 of Mourning Wings
Ifinally push myself offValeria, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.Ican feel the tension in my muscles asIsheath my knife, sliding it back into its holder around my thigh.
Myhand hovers aboveValeria, ready to help her up, but she shrugs me off.
“Idon’t need your help,” she spits. “NordoIneed your protection.Idon’t even know you!” she argues, a defiant glint returning to her eyes as she squares her shoulders.
Asoft chuckle escapes my lips. “Youmight be a little warrior, but you don’t know what you’re up against.We’realone here,Valeria.Proceedwith caution,”Isay, noticing the slight tilt of her head and the way her eyes hold mine, daring me.Herskirt is hiked up, and the sight of her bare thighs makes my breath catch.
Asshe moves to adjust her clothing, her eyes meet mine.
Herhair is tousled, a few strands framing her face, and her cheeks are tinged with a rosy hue.
Myeyes follow the angles of her face until they reach her lips.
Astrange wave of familiarity hits me, so strong, it nearly knocks the breath out of me.It’slikeIalready know how theyfeel—soft, warm—and,God, the taste of her tongue flashes in my mind like a memory that shouldn’t be there.Thefeeling is so vivid, it’s unsettling.Itear my eyes away, shaking it off, but the pull lingers, like somethingI’veforgotten but can’t fully grasp.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I’mso entranced byValeria,Ibegin to wonder if it was a bad idea to get involved with her outside of observing her through screens.Watchingher from a distance, through the safety of a monitor, had seemed much simpler, safer.Buthere she is, so real.
Geta grip,Verónica.Allthe stalking and diggingI’vebeen doing is messing with my head.I’vegone too deep, watching her every move, reading into things that probably aren’t even there.Butstill, the sensation won’t leave me, clinging to me.
Valeriastraightens, smoothing her skirt with a confident flick of her wrist.Then, she turns on her heels and tries to walk away, butIgrab onto her arm.
“Notso fast,”Isay.
Istep closer, and the space between us crackles with energy.Herinhales are sharp, andIfeel the warmth radiating from her body, so close,Ican almost feel her heartbeat.
“Youdon’t know whatI’mcapable of,” she taunts, her lips curling into a daring smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me,Ineed to findIsabel.Ican’t just stay here?—”
“Relax.Theywon’t hurt her.”
Valeriascoffs. “Howcan you say that?Thisplace obviously isn’t what it seems, and they had knives.Knives!”Hervoice cracks.
“I’vebeen watching them.Theydon’t hurt women.Theyjust...like to have fun with them.”
“Fun,” she repeats, as if the word tastes bitter in her mouth. “Isabel’sout there, probably terrified, andI’mstuck here with...withyou, whoever you are.Ineed to check if she’s okay.”
Ilet out a pent-up breath.She’snot going to make this easy.Idon’t move, my gaze holding hers with an intensity that makes her coil into herself. “Valeria, you need to listen to me.Isabelwill be fine, but if you go after her, you might not meet the same fate.”
Hereyes widen. “Whatdo you mean?”
“TheWhitmoresaren’t to be trusted.Thesegame nights are dangerous.”
Shenarrows her eyes at me, crossing her arms over her chest, causing her perfect tits to push upward. “Thenwhy are you here?”
Imirror her stance. “I’mnot here as a guest.LikeIsaid,I’vebeen watching this family for a while now.Thoseboys might be harmless, but the others aren’t.So, you either stick with me or end up dead.”
Valeriafreezes, my words finally sinking in. “Fuck.Camila,” she mutters.
“Who’sCamila?Ithought your friend’s name wasIsabel.”
Sheshakes her head, as if to dispel her thoughts. “Uh.Yeah.Camilais…an old friend.Iwas hopingIcould find out what happened to her tonight.”
“Icould help,”Ioffer, noticing a glint of silver catching the light.
Myeyes land on the butterfly necklace aroundValeria’sneck.Mynecklace.Itsuits her perfectly.Withoutthinking, my hand reaches out, fingers brushing against the cool metal.
AsItouch it,Valeria’seyes meet mine, and for a second,I’mworried she’ll see everythingI’mfeeling written all over my face.Mypulse quickens, andIswallow hard.