Page 9 of LA Reign

I watch her intently for any clues that she’s lying and find none.

“They dragged us into the kitchen. My brothers fought. My dad fought.” Her hands grip the armrests. “They shot them in the head. One by one. When they shot my father…his brains…” She stops, blinking hard. “They were laughing. Wiping themselves off. That’s when I ran.”

I keep my face neutral. Inside, something cold and violent grips me. “Did you see who did it?”

She nods. “You handled them all, Mr. Montoya. Don’t worry.”

I don’t react. We handled the firm responsible but it wasn’t because of what they did to her family, and I won’t confirm that to her anyway. “You said you’ve been surviving alone for eight years. Why?”

Her expression hardens. “You’ve heard the rumors about my father.”

I have, but I don’t tell her that. Her father was a disgusting piece of shit who tortured his sons for fun. She shakes her head and goes on.

“You have, I’m sure. You know what he was, what he did. You think I was spared?” she continues. “You think being his daughter made me safe?”

Her silence after that says more than words.

“Your mother died when you were eight?” I ask.

“Yeah.” Her eyes darken. “He killed her.”

That’s new information. “I heard she overdosed.”

“He might not have forced the pills down her throat,” Lucia snaps, anger bleeding into her tone, “but he was the reason she did it.”

We sit in silence for a moment. Her story is painful, but I cannot let it move me. Not yet. Not until I know everything I need to know to ensure our safety, to protect Alana and my family.

“Does anyone else know you’re here?” I ask.

“Maybe Blake. And also maybe his cousin, Calvin.”

Calvin is already in the ground. She doesn’t need to know that either. And someone somewhere must be protecting Blake because I still can’t find the piece of shit. “If someone is still looking for you, they’ll find you eventually,” I tell her. “And I cannot put my family at risk by allowing you to stay here.”

“I know that.” Her voice cracks slightly. “If I could just stay for a day or two until I figure something out? Maybe emancipation. Or…new papers.” She shrugs weakly. “Start over. Again. Somewhere new.”

She pretends it’s that simple. We both know it isn’t. She will always be a target unless someone protects her and, as she points out, her baby. A complete innocent. She is Lucia Ramos, the girl who got away. Her name could still attract trouble and draw enemies to our home.

Still, I can see she means it. That she will go as soon as she can. I believe she doesn’t want to cause trouble. She’s simply doing what she has to in order to survive.

I drag my hands through my hair because I already know I’m going to regret this. “You can stay,” I say finally. “For a few days. Until we can figure out find a more permanent solution.”

Her eyes widen in genuine shock. “Really?”

“Yes. I’ll have my lawyer arrange temporary guardianship.”

She exhales like she’s been holding her breath in for the entire time we’ve been in here. “Thank you, Alejandro. I promise you won’t regret it.”

God, I fucking hope not. “But understand this,” I say, leaning forward. “If you live under my roof, you follow my rules.”

Her smile vanishes instantly. Fear floods her face. She grips the chair like she’s bracing for impact.

Bile rises in my throat. What the fuck has this girl been through to react like that? What have the men in her life taught her to expect?

“Like what?” she asks quietly.

“Like cleaning up after yourself. Respecting my privacy. Not leaving without security.”

Her shoulders slowly relax. “Oh.”