Chapter Twenty-Two

Abriana

Detective Lock cleared his throat. “Abriana, Easton has confessed.”

I inhaled sharply and raked my nails across my thighs. Studying the red marks I had left behind, I allowed my mind to wander back to the night Easton had told me, we’ve got company. I chewed on my lower lip. Who was she? Why was she helping him? Was the entire thing her idea? The same questions raced through my mind over and over again. Am I ever going to get the answers I so desperately need to hear?

My mother wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “¡Gracias a Dios!”

 “Did he say why he did it?” asked my father. “He must have given you a reason?”

Detective Lock exhaled and shook his head. “Easton hasn’t given us much. He confessed to kidnapping you, but he won’t give any details. He also apologized repeatedly and asked for your forgiveness.”

Anger stirred up in my core and I felt my cheeks flush. “Forgiveness? Are you serious?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Once their caught…” he trailed off. “People will say just about anything.”

Rage swirled with sadness. Closing my eyes, I pictured Easton’s gray eyes. They reminded me of a storm on a warm summer’s day. How could someone with eyes like that be so evil?

“What does this mean for Abriana?” asked my father. “What comes next?”

The detective stood up and smoothed out his tie. “As soon as he is well enough, we will move him to Dane County Jail, where he will stay until the trial is over.”

Turning my head, I could hear raised voices coming from outside. My heart dropped when my eyes landed on Matías storming toward the front door.

Biting my lower lip, I excused myself for a moment and headed toward the door. I swung it open just as Matías had raised his hand to knock.

“Bri,” he said with tears in his eyes.

“What do you want?” I asked in a cold voice.

He reached forward, but I stepped back, letting his hands fall into the space between us.

“Don’t touch me,” I said through clenched teeth.

Matías ran his hands through his hair. “Nothing happened! I swear!”

I ran my tongue over my lips and let out a chuckle. “Yeah, right.”

“Bri, I love you! I always have,” he pleaded.

Cocking my head to the side, I studied the man I had loved since high school. Even if we weren’t together, my love for him would never completely fade. His dimples were what drew me in years ago. Seriously, he could give Mario Lopez a run for his money. Then came his dark brown eyes and long eyelashes. You could stare into them for hours and never get lost. Lastly, his body… His body was beyond perfect. I remember the first time I saw him with his shirt off. I almost fainted. He had just finished baseball practice and sweat dripped down his chest and toned abs.

“Abriana,” came his voice shaking me out of my flashback.

I crossed my arms. “Did you kiss her or not?”

“Yeah, but-”

I cut him off. “But what? Listen, Matías, I’ve been through an awful lot recently and quite frankly, I don’t have time for this mess!”

He dropped to his knees and reached forward, grabbing me behind the knees. “Please, it was a mistake. I meant what I said in the hospital! I want to be here to help you through this, not make it worse!”

Pulling back, I felt his hands slip away. Don’t touch me, I thought in disgust. The only man I trust from now on is my father!

I cracked my knuckles and pressed my lips together. “Goodbye, Matías,” I said, closing the door in his face.

A moment later, it swung back open. “Look, Mat-” I started to say before stopping myself.

“I’m so sorry, Abriana,” said Alexa with mascara running down her cheeks. “Please, please don’t be upset with me.”

Without saying another word, I spun on my heel and walked back into the living room. Ugh! Those two deserve each other, I thought to myself.

“What in the world is going on out there?” asked my mother with a concerned look on her face.

I tried to calm my quaking hands as I eased down on to the flower couch cushion next to my father. “It’s nothing.”

“Didn’t sound like nothing,” said Detective Lock, giving me an inquisitive look.

“It’s Matías… He just stopped by, but he had to leave,” I said quietly.

My mother frowned as she clutched a small pillow in her lap. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I lied.

Trying to ignore the awkward silence, I turned toward Detective Lock and asked, “Has there been any progress on finding Easton’s shooter?”

He leaned forward and rubbed his chin with his forefinger and his thumb. “No,” he admitted. “And we still haven’t found the gun.”

“Well, there’s your proof right there,” I said.

He kept a neutral expression on his face. “What do you mean, Abriana?”

My heart skipped a beat. “There has to be a second person involved if the gun is missing!” Finally, some evidence that proves I’m not lying!

Detective Lock shrugged his shoulders. “That’s one theory.”

Shock radiated through my core. “One theory?”

“We’re still investigating,” he drawled.

“And what?” I said, my voice getting louder with every syllable. “Do you still think I shot Easton?”

“Abriana-” Detective Lock started.

I stood up, cutting him off, and placed my hands firmly on my hips. “When are you going to believe me? I didn’t shoot Easton! There were two people involved!”

“Victor,” said my mother with a look that could freeze a grizzly bear in his tracks.

“Detective Lock,” he said before clearing his throat. “I think we’ve had enough information for today.”

“No!” I shouted. “I want to know! Why doesn’t anyone believe me?” 

My father stood up and placed his hand on my shoulder. “It’s time to leave, Detective Lock,” he said firmly.

I let out a guttural scream before shouting, “WHY DOESN’T ANYONE BELIEVE ME?”

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