IT ISN’T UNTIL I’m back in my room that my mind begins to clear. What have I just done? I sold my soul to the devil, that’s what. But what choice do I have? If I leave Diego, even if he does manage to rid this world of Esteban and Oscar, I can’t possibly keep up my father’s business without him. My only option would be to seek out other cartels. And I’d much rather deal with the evils I know, thank you very much.
I pace around the room as my blood pressure rises. What if this is an awful mistake? The man is smooth. What if he’s simply biding his time until he gets what he wants? Will he kill me at that point? I’d gotten lost in his promises and expert touches. Let him seduce me so easily. You’ll be mine soon. So possessive. His true feelings are every bit the same as Esteban’s. I’m a thing to him—a power play. There never will be a legitimate partnership. As I left his office without my panties and my dignity dripping from me quicker than my arousal, I was reminded that it will always be me against them. I refuse to be owned by anyone ever again.
With a roar of frustration, I yank off the dress and toss it to the floor. I’m about to storm into the bathroom to take a cold shower when the door flings open. I sense his presence before I even see him. And I hate that a little piece of my heart patters that he came after me.
Sick girl.
Sick, sick girl.
Villain bait is what I am.
“Leave!” I snap and turn to point a finger at him.
His black hair is messy and it gives him a boyish quality. But the way he prowls toward me is far from boyish. I yelp when he grabs my hips and walks me back toward the bed. My fists beat on his solid chest through his vest.
“We’re not done talking,” he growls as he shoves me to the bed. “You were making deals one minute while letting me eat that perfect pussy. The next minute you’re stalking off and slamming doors.”
Before I can roll away from him, he smashes me with his muscular body. He snatches my wrists and holds them above my head with one hand. His mouth presses sweet kisses on my face, which only pisses me off. The motherfucker knows how to seduce me. Well, unlucky for him, my brain has overruled my pussy and—oh God!
He’s managed to wiggle his way between my thighs and grinds his erection against me. His clothes are a thin barrier between us, so I feel every ridge of his cock against my body.
“You’re mine,” he starts again, his mouth stealing another kiss.
I turn my head to the side and scream. “I am nobody’s!”
My rage rushes from me the moment he tickles me. I’m pinned beneath him and have nowhere to go this time. Loud bellowing laughter escapes me as tears stream down my face. His fingers stop tickling me and he cups my bare tit. So many emotions are flooding through me that I’m getting dazed.
“Fine,” he teases against my neck, the hot breath tickling me. “I’m yours then, fiancée.”
He’s clearly amused by my outburst because he chuckles. My hands are released as he starts kissing his way down between my breasts toward my stomach. I let out a gasp when he bites me near my belly button.
“I’m going to marry you in a few hours and then I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk normally for days. Tell me no, mi diablita.” His light brown eyes glimmer with feral hunger. I don’t tell him no because villains are my kryptonite.
After having sex all the time with Esteban, my body seems to be going through withdrawals. All I can think about is how much I want this man’s cock inside of me.
“Tell me you want to play big games with a big boy,” he breathes as he trails kisses back up to my bare breast, making my nipple harden. His hand cups me between my thighs as he sucks on my nipple. And just like earlier, my body is eager for his touch. He massages me in that expert way that leaves me writhing in need for him. Diego turns my world upside down.
Another all-consuming orgasm is on the horizon. I need it because I want to feel alive and free again. To get lost in pure bliss even if only for a moment or two. The orgasm he gave me earlier was intense. With my mind crystal clear, as opposed to the months with Esteban that seem like a confusing fog, I’m able to feel every nerve ending as they all explode to life and sing at once.
“Say it, mi diablita,” he growls, his fingers moving faster. “I’ll do this all night until you say yes if I have to.”
His words tip me over the edge and my orgasm tears through me with the force of a vicious tornado. I shudder from the sheer strength of it. Are all orgasms with him this intense?
He pinches my clit and I yelp. “Say it.”
“I don’t play games unless I know I can win.”
His black eyebrow quirks up in amusement. “It’s a good thing we’re about to be on the same team then, huh? Because I always win.”
I should feel threatened by this man but I’m not. Instead, I’m calculating a future. A future where I continue on with my father’s legacy and nobody fucks with me ever again. With Diego, I can make this happen. He’s a necessary move on the game board.
And if he tries to fuck with me?
I’ll end him.
I don’t know how, but I will end him.
“Say yes,” he implores. His mouth finds mine and he kisses me, like a lover would. When he’s touching and kissing me, it’s easy to forget who we are and simply give in to the sensations. I could almost close my eyes and pretend we’re something we aren’t. That this is more than a business transaction. “Say it.” He sucks on my bottom lip before popping off and staring at me with those beautiful pale brown eyes of his.
“Yes.” I grit out the word and attempt to glare at him. My anger melts away when his mouth presses back against mine. The woman inside of me who is desperate for love and touch and intimacy falls victim to this expert-level game he’s playing. She’s down to spread her legs and hopes for the best.
The wounded soul within, though, is weary and suspicious.
“Vienna,” he utters and gives me a serious stare. “I can kill a man without breaking a sweat. But women…”
I bite on my lip waiting for him to continue. His gaze falls to my mouth and he gives a slight shake to his head.
“That,” he says as he runs his thumb along my lip and tugs it loose. “That is what has me making stupid decisions. You make me weak. You think I’m going to pull some bullshit to trick you, but you have no idea how vulnerable you make me.”
My suspicion fades some and I give him a genuine smile. “I guess we’re even then. Villains are my weakness.”
Marriage.
A business arrangement.
A new last name and the key to a fortune.
My future.
“Dinner is ready. Diego is waiting,” Tatiana says from my doorway.
“I’ll be right down,” I assure her with a smile. She gives me a lingering, sad look before leaving.
I smooth out my long red locks with a shaky hand. Ever since he left me needy and wanting earlier today, I’ve had a hard time getting a handle on my emotions. At some points, I feel confident in my choice to marry a cartel king. It was always my plan for as long as I can remember. Just with a different cartel king.
Thoughts of Oscar fill my head. My heart still aches. Over and over throughout my life, he broke my heart. But most times, it was unintentional. Other times…. This last time, he did it on purpose.
I want to cry. My heart is tight in my chest, and I have to swallow down my emotion. But I don’t cry. I’ve cried more times than I can count over Oscar since I was five. That day when I met him, he told me to chase him. I’ve been chasing him ever since.
This is the last chase.
The one where I make him pay for what he did to me. He’s a monster—not the man I always thought he was.
And Esteban?
My core clenches but it’s purely a physical response. For so many months, he made me rely on him for everything. He conditioned me to grow addicted to him. But now that I’ve been weaned off, I know he’s a monster too.
This marriage will help me eradicate those monsters. I’m not the adoring and loving little girl who follows around assholes like a lost little puppy anymore. I am worthy and capable. I am powerful. I am Vienna soon-to-be Gomez. Queen of the Cartel.
“That’s an evil-villain smile if I ever saw one. Sure you aren’t a villain yourself, mi diablita?” The deep voice from the doorway steals my attention.
“I’m certainly no angel,” I bite back.
He smirks and holds a hand out to me. “Come. We have important things to take care of.”
I swallow and make my way over to him on shaky legs. My nerves are going crazy. When I’m near, he takes my hand and tugs me close. He’s recently showered, and I inhale his masculine scent.
“You shaved,” I observe, ignoring the way my heart beats wildly whenever he touches me. His goatee has been trimmed neatly. With his black hair styled messily and him looking dapper as hell in his three-piece black suit, I can’t help but have a swell of pride. I know it’s silly and girly and completely misplaced. But I allow the sensation to flood through me.
He’ll soon be my husband.
I hope he doesn’t kill me.
“You,” he says, his voice low and gravelly. “You are a goddamned vision.”
I laugh and shake my head. “No wonder you had so many wives. You’re really good at this wooing stuff.”
He smirks as he strokes my hair. I like that he pets me like I’m a kitten he’s always wanted but nobody ever gave him, until now. The way he touches me makes me feel wanted and revered.
Please don’t fuck with me, Diego.
“When you’re my wife, I will cut out the eyes of all those who even look at you,” he hisses as his mouth drops to mine. His hot breath tickles me. “And I will cut off the fingers of anyone who dares put his hands on you.”
I shiver. My psycho villain siren should be wailing, but instead it is silent. The only sound is my heart thumping loudly in my chest. His violent words turn me on. I rub my thighs together and dart my gaze to his hooded one. “You’re so romantic,” I tease, my voice breathless.
His fingers slide into my silky hair, and he grips it. He tilts my head back so he can stare down at me. Light brown eyes flicker all over my face as he inspects me. Then, he leans forward and kisses my forehead.
“Let’s go eat, Vienna.”
My God, this man is a tease. I swear he gets off on bringing me to the brink of insanity just to back off and leave me hanging.
“Come,” he growls when I don’t immediately follow after him.
“I’d like to, but someone is too busy playing the gentleman,” I grumble back.
He smirks at me as his palm finds the small of my back so he can guide me out of my room. His hand slides to my ass where he grips it to the point of pain. “A gentleman doesn’t grope his future wife on the way to their wedding.”
I cut my eyes to his and grin at him. “I’m swooning, mi motherfucker.”
He snorts and swats my ass. “I forgot you’re a smartass.”
“That’s something you can’t ever forget around me,” I chide.
When we enter the dining room, I gasp. A feast has been laid out on the long rectangular table. Fancy silver and china decorate the space and several candles light up the room.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe.
I’m not sure how this marriage thing will go, but it’s already surpassed my expectations. Diego pulls out a chair beside the head of the table and gestures for me to sit. I take my place, folding my hands in my lap. He disappears and then reappears with Tatiana and Jorge. Once they’re seated, he takes his place at the head of the table. A young male server comes out to fill our glasses with red wine and then he exits without a word.
“Tonight, we celebrate the union of two families,” Diego says as he lifts his glass, his light brown eyes flickering with something that I hope is excitement. He certainly doesn’t seem as apprehensive as I do. “Vienna and I will wed this evening under the eyes of God. If my mother, God rest her soul, were here, I know she would approve of my decision.” His handsome smile warms me. The devil was an angel once. “Not only will this marriage be binding in the eyes of God, but it will be binding by our country’s laws as well. And mostly,” he says, his voice dropping to a low growl, “it will be binding to me.”
I dart my gaze over to Jorge and Tatiana. Neither one of them speaks, but Tatiana flashes me a supportive smile.
“I keep my promises, Vienna,” Diego murmurs. “I hope you keep yours as well.”
I swallow and nod. The fierceness he’s displaying would indicate that he believes what he says to be true.
I just wish I could believe it as easily as he seems to.
“So a toast to my future wife, a partnership that will strengthen my newly acquired empire, and for a play that will deliver ultimate revenge to our mutual enemies.” He winks at me and holds his glass to mine. I clink it before quickly chugging down the bitter red wine.
“To Mr. and Mrs. Gomez,” I agree, my voice shaking. “A power couple.”
He reaches over and takes my clammy hand. “Mi reina.”
“You may kiss your bride.”
I imagined this moment a thousand times, especially in my early teen years, but with a certain dark-eyed boy. A fancy beach wedding in California with my father walking me down the aisle. A big, frilly dress. A giant fancy cake. The whole nine yards. With Oscar. And for awhile there, while high off my ass in Esteban’s bed, he’d taken place as the groom in my fantasies.
But reality is oh-so different.
Diego Renaldo Gomez and Vienna Martina Berkley are the star of this show.
I’m still so dazed and in shock over what just happened that my husband’s kiss takes me completely by surprise. His kisses are always soft but demanding. This kiss, though, feels like a promise. I don’t get to enjoy his tongue that still tastes of wine because he ends our kiss as quickly as it began.
“Come now, mujer.”
He guides me out of the old church toward where his fancy black car awaits. I am still trying to make sense of what’s happening and staring at the gold band that sits on my ring finger when I hear what sounds like a pop.
“JORGE!” Diego roars a moment before he shoves me face first into the dirt.
A shriek escapes me. My palms sting, and I’m sure my knees are now scraped all to shit. I start to rise but then I’m tackled.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
“Stay down,” Diego hisses against my ear. His body heat is no longer enveloping me as he starts shooting at someone on the other side of the car. Everything is so loud. Even though it’s night time, the moonlight is bright. Diego crouches at the back of the car near the trunk. I dart my eyes under the vehicle to see where the shots are coming from. When someone starts charging for us, I yell, “Two ‘o clock!”
Pop! Pop!
The figure crumples into the dirt before they reach the vehicle. Shooting ensues from someplace else. I army crawl under the car until I’m close enough to take the gun from the dead man’s grip. The shooting stops but my ears are still ringing. Two men are grunting, and I recognize one of them as Diego. Another figure emerges from the tree line on the other side of the road and starts charging for us. I squint my eyes to focus before squeezing the trigger.
Pop!
The bullet tears through his knee and he crashes to the dirt. When he looks up, he makes eye contact with me under the car. His weapon aims for me but then his head explodes. I’m gaping in horror when someone grabs my ankle.
“Diego!” I scream at the top of my lungs.
My attacker yanks me roughly out from under the car. As soon as I’m out, I aim the gun at his head.
“Whoa,” Jorge says. “Whoa, niña.”
He reaches for me, but I scramble to my feet without his help.
“Get in the car,” he hisses. “Tatiana!”
She runs from the church and throws her arms around me. Her words are shaking and in Spanish. I yank the car door open before urging the frantic woman inside.
“Where’s Diego?” I demand.
Two strong arms envelop me from behind, causing me to scream. Out of instinct, I drive the barrel of my gun behind me into what I hope is at my attacker’s face. Before thinking twice, I squeeze the trigger.
Click.
“Fuck,” Diego hisses into my ear. “Fuck, mi diablita.”
Once I realize it isn’t one of the bad guys, I collapse in his arms. He all but drags me to the car and shoves me inside. Tatiana sobs loudly as the men climb into the front seat. I pull her to me so I can stroke her hair.
“Shhhh,” I coo. “We made it. We’re safe.”
She clutches my dirty dress, her tears soaking through my front. I hold her in a state of shock as Jorge hauls ass through the streets. He and Diego snarl in hissed tones the entire way home.
Her head tilts up and she palms my cheek. “I am so sorry, Vee. I worried this would happen. A marriage to a cartel leader is a lifetime of death and destruction.”
I glance up to find Diego watching me, his jaw clenched. He’s brutal and handsome and fierce in this moment. My words answer her question but I want him to hear.
“I know exactly what I signed up for and I am not afraid.”