Chapter 338

Elena “Thank you for everything.” I sighed, thanking Lucas. If anything, I was most grateful to him for not asking too many questions.

“No problem.” He said. “I should thank you for protecting Tiago. I wouldn’t know how to live with myself if something happened to my little brother because of me.”

My little brother.

After coming to the mansion to supposedly take down the Castillos, he called Tiago his little brother and could see past his mistakes.

Perhaps if I told Marvin the truth, he could look past my mistakes.

No, Elena.

He wouldn’t “I don’t know what happened, but you look tensed.” Lucas noticed, raising a brow. “Will you be alright?” He asked. “Are you alright—are you happy?”

Was I?

That was a question I didn’t have the answer to, and maybe it was because no one cared enough to ask me that question.

“Elena, are you okay?”

“Ye—”

“Elena?” The door opened, revealing Marvin. He looked at Lucas for a split second before wrapping his arms around my body. “Where were you?”

There was a time when I felt the most secure in Marvin’s arms, but now I wasn’t that sure anymore.

Seeing him kill a man in cold blood was not that surprising, but more so shocking. I knew he could do it- but I didn’t think he would actually do it.

“I was out.” I freed myself from Marvin’s grip and stepped back. “I’m okay, don’t worry.” My lips felt dry as I indirectly answered Lucas’ question.

“Then why weren’t you answering your phone?”

As a child in the middle of a scolding, I reached for my phone and scrolled through the endless missed calls. “I didn’t know.” I clarified. “Lucas and I were out, so I must’ve missed it.”

Lucas and I were out?

That was maybe not the best choice of words.

Marvin glared at his brother. “Thank you for bringing her back home, and I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“That’s what owners say when someone finds their dog Lucas chuckled, quickly noticing Marvin was not amused in any way.

Judging by Lucas’ tone, I could tell his words were also pretty serious.

Was that all I was to him?

Marvin’s dog?

“I’ll be taking my leave then.” He nodded as he turned around and left me all alone with Marvin.

+5 Bonus I was the one who told him to bring me back here, but at the same time, I was desperate to get inside his car so he could take me the hell away from here.

I wanted to protect Marvin from Panther, but I also wanted to protect myself from both of them. I didn’t know how what I want.

My heart raised as I felt his hand on my shoulder, turning me around, so I had no choice but to look at him. “Elena, 1—”

“No.” I stared into his eyes, knowing he was about to apologize.

I “Don’t”

“I’m.”

“I don’t care.” I sighed.

“We have to talk about what happened.”

“No, we really don’t,” I begged him to drop it, as talking about it would only make me resent him for keeping someone like Panther by his side. “I knew what I got myself into, and I don’t want to hear it.”

There was no need to call out his friend because Marvin wouldn’t listen to me either way. He was so far gone that telling him his friend was manipulative would not do anything.

Marvin squeezed my hands as a look of desperation appeared in his eyes. “If you don’t want to hear me out, then let me tell you this, at least.” He spoke. “I swear on my life that I will never ever hurt you. Never.”

His words meant nothing because what happened at the warehouse was very clear. He didn’t like liars, and at the end of the day, I was a liar.

Would he really make an exception for me?

“Panther wouldn’t want to hurt you intentionally. I did talk to him, and he feels sorry about everything” I felt disgusted by Marvin’s choice of words. “I know it’s too much to ask, but can’t you just forgive him this once?”

Forgive?

It would only be a matter of time before the truth would reveal itself “Sure, I can do that.” It pained me to say those words. But can we please go inside now-I’m wearing a crop top, and it’s freezing”

“It’s freezing sure.” Marvin dropped my hand in an instant, creating a distance between us. He walked back inside without giving me a look-and perhaps that was the one thing I needed to realize that I wasn’t ready to let go of him.

I didn’t want him to be the person I saw today, but I also didn’t want him to turn his back on me.

“I’ll give you your space…if that’s what you want. I need to get back anyway.” He spoke, stopping in his steps.

By the looks of it, he did seem busy-so it was clear he had only returned to check up on me, and make sure I wasn’t traumatized.

Our eyes met for a second before he lowered his gaze. “I didn’t want to hurt you, and I really do love you.”

I wanted to say it back, I really did-but I couldn’t. That man he killed today was a man with a family, a man with children.

How could I possibly love the person who had taken that away from him?

Wouldn’t that be selfish of me?

Not taking another step, I waited until Marvin had left and could finally release my breath. There was no point in giving him false hope because once he discovered the truth about my family, it would only take him a second to kick me out.

I flinched at the sound of loud claps and laughter. “I request an immediate Oscar for you.” Victor’s voice filled the hall, causing me to smack my hand over his mouth.

“E-excuse me?” I whispered in fear he might be onto something. As rude as he could be, he removed my hand from his mouth and pushed me back.

“Another day, and he’s still unable to see through your lies.” He spoke, disgusted. “I have to give it to you- either you’re a good actress, or he is a good actor Did he know?

I panicked. “I-I have no idea what you’re talking about “Cut the crap-the guys at the warehouse gave me a heads up about what happened,” Victor said.

“Told me Marvin ran away like a little bitch to apologize to his girl.”

“Did he now?” I frowned.

“Yes, he did-and I’m surprised you’re not getting into that whole liar thing.” Victor sighed dramatically. “You know, your friend, Victoria, called me.”

“Did she now?” A heavy breath escaped from my lips. Of course, it would’ve been Victoria. That’s probably why she wanted his number. Why would she get him involved?

“She told me all about your little secrets, Tiago, the stick-all of it, right before she forced me to protect you from our common enemy.” He whispered in my car, sending chills through my body. Told me she was afraid little miss DEA’s daughter would end up doing something stupid-and seeing you all cuddled up against Lukey boy, I understand where she’s coming from.”

“Excuse me?”

“On top of crumbling in front of Pedro, letting him threaten you-giving him the upper hand?”

“Then what was I supposed to do?” I flipped, ignoring the fact Victoria had told him my identity.

Victor pointed his finger at me, raising his head. “If the truth gets out about your identity, both of you are fucked-so all you have to do is tell him to leave you alone.”

“How do I know you’re not going to say anything?”

“Marvin or Mario won’t be that excited once they find out no one did a decent background check.”

He placed his hands on his hips, pursing his lips. “Is this really how far people are willing to go for love?”

“Yes, Victor.” I rolled my eyes. “I was willing to go this far, yes.”

“This won’t work, you know.” He said. “That pretty little fantasy inside your head? There’s just no way—”

“I know, and that’s why my only goal is to take down Panther and protect Marvin and Tiago, and after that, I’ll be out of your hair,” I explained. “Don’t worry “I wouldn’t be discussing this with you if I wasn’t worried.” Victor slightly raised his voice. If there was one thing I had learned about him, he didn’t want the family name tarnished.

“Since you know everything, what should my next step be?”

“Tell Marvin the truth.” He demanded. “If you want my protection, you should tell Marvin the truth—”

“So he can call me a liar and kill me?” That option just didn’t make sense at the moment. Not without proof. “He’s so far up Pedro’s ass-there’s no way he’ll believe me over him.”

“You’re underestimating my brother.” Victor shook his head. “He won’t lay a finger on you. That’s not him.”

It was hard to believe his words. The Castillos were dangerous people, and I was only accepted in because they thought I wasn’t a threat to them. Marvin wouldn’t sit back and forgive me that easily.

“And Mario?”

“Mario is a man of honor. Killing you means he’d also have to kill Lucas-because I assume he knows about all of this.”

Not the same.

Lucas was his son, and I was his enemy.

“With the number of people that know, you might as well open the windows and yell it out.” Victor sighed. opening his arms. “It’ll only be a matter of time before Marvin finds out anyway!

“No-”

“Tam Elena Torres!”

“No!”

“Daughter of former partner of Stevie Maddens, killed by the Castillo’s-George T-

I don’t know what had come over me, but my hand connected with his cheek as I slapped him hard enough for him to execute me.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”

”

An impressed laugh left Victor’s mouth. “Oh, you do get some fire in you after all.” He touched his cheek “I need proof?” I told him. “I was going to tell him, but I can’t without the stick. I need proof”

“Understandable.” Victor gave me a nod. “You’ll lose Marvin, but Panther will also lose Marvin.” He concluded. “It’ll only give us an advantage.”

At least I was able to persuade him. “So now what?”

“Now we wait on—”

Our phones went off simultaneously and by the smirk on his face, I could tell-we had both received the same text from Victoria.

Victoria