Before Gand could react, Drake had already shoved him into the room and pinned him against the door.


    Gand gulped nervously. ''What the hell? I''m not into guys.''


    "What''s this about? This closeness is a bit much," Gandughed awkwardly, trying to duck.


    But Drake flipped the lock with one hand and blocked his escape with the other.


    Gand''s heart dropped. ''Gosh! Is Drake really gay?''


    "Back off! I''m straight."


    "What the hell are you babbling about?"


    "You dragged me here alone. Isn''t it obvious you want to..."


    Realization hit Drake. His face darkened, and he smacked Gand''s head. "You think I''d hit on you? I''d need brain damage first."


    "Then why the sneaky moves? And why''d you hit me?" Gand hopped back, indignant.


    "Cut the act. You''re not Fermin." Drake got straight to the point.


    Gand stiffened but doubled down. "Of course, I am. We''ve fought before. You know my face."


    "I don''t know what game you''re ying, but Juan is in it with you," Drake hissed.


    "Juan? What''s he got to do with


    this?" Gand edged toward the Or "You''re just a washed-up viin trying to frame me. I won''t fall for it, and Debra won''t believe you."


    "Debra''s na?ve. I''m not." Drake stepped closer. "Edgar should''ve died. How did he end up with your family? Why''s Juan, who made.


    deal with me to protect a


    suddenly working with her


    enemies?"


    "Why else! He has no conscience!" Gand secretly inched his way toward the door. "He was a


    vel


    love-stricken fool before


    his sickness was fixed."


    Drake blocked the door. "I''ve been observing you for a while now. Wherever Debra walks in, you''re watching her like a lost puppy. That''s suspicious."


    Sweat dripped down Gand''s neck, but he managed to shoot back, "Wait. Does that mean you''ve been watching her too?"


    Drake froze, and Gand pointed usingly. "Oh. You''re the creep here. Admit it, you''re a spy."