Page 165 of Morally Corrupt

It doesn't take long after my stunt to hear the door opening. Since I'm lying on my back, I can't see who's coming inside. But the sound of someone stepping inside is unmistakable.

"And she's awake," the voice says laconically. I purse my lips, already knowing who it is.

"Mhmm." I make some sounds from behind my gag, hoping he'll take it off.

"Naughty, naughty." He comes deeper into the room and within my field of vision. Crouching next to me, he looks at me with an eyebrow raised.

"You couldn't help yourself, could you?" he asks, studying me. With a sigh, he helps me up so that the chair is now planted on the ground, straight up again. I paint my features into a scowl to show him my displeasure.

"Mhmm," I try to say something again through the gag, and he finally pulls it down. I immediately lick my chapped lips, wishing he would have at least brought some water with him. Well… kidnapping and a five-star hotel aren't exactly synonymous, so I'll just settle for having my mouth free for now.

"Really?" I ask him, ironically.

"You know… I really underestimated you." He threads his fingers through his hair. "At first, I was really pissed about the stunt you pulled. But then, the more I thought about it…, the more I realized how perfect you'd be."

"Perfect? For what?" I need to draw this out until I find an opening to make a move.

"To rule together, of course." He smiles at me before frowning. "I just have to get rid of your husband." The moment I hear that, a coldness that I'd never experienced before spreads through my limbs.

"You might want to start by telling me your name?" I change my voice so that it seems I'm actually interested in his proposition.

He gives me a challenging look, "Carlos."

"Nice to meet you, Carlos," I add sweetly, but not overly sweet. "Honestly, I couldn't care less about my husband," I lie.

"I already have my people on him. But don't worry. I'll kill him myself. I won't make the same mistake twice." He takes my jaw in his hands and tips it up so that I'm forced to look into his eyes.

"Twice?" I frown, but Carlos just smirks.

"He's been a thorn in my side for too long. I should have known that sending someone else to kill him wouldn't deliver successful results," he says almost pensively.

"Someone else? You sent those people to the lake house?" Until now, I'd thought all attempts on Adrian's life had been made by Jimenez.

"Ortega was supposed to get rid of him when he sent Martinez for the meetup, but he failed. So, he sent some amateurs to finish the job. Of course, they couldn't." He shakes his head. "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself," he mutters, more to himself.

"But why? Just because he was inquiring about your father?"

"Why, you ask?" He laughs sarcastically. "It's more than that… Martin had a deal with Jimenez to merge their businesses. The goal's always been getting onto the New York market, and Martin was the perfect tool. A marriage between you and me would have cemented the alliance, and everyone could have profited. But Martin was a greedy bastard. He thought that someone in a position of legitimate power would serve him better than Jimenez… so he gave you to Hastings."

"Of course, it's not only that. By also allying himself with the Italians, Martin thought he was getting the best of both worlds, legal protection and access to the Italians' resources."

"So, you gave orders to have Martin killed too?" Finally, the pieces are falling in place.

"Yes, but I had my father's blessing for that. Martin was a treacherous dog. Jimenez was happy to get rid of him."

"So, if not for Martin's machinations, we would have been married already?"

"Indeed," he answers smoothly.

"Then tell me, why would I choose you over him now?" I change my tactic, trying to seem as mercenary as Martin. He doesn't know about my relationship with Adrian. Few people know. And from the outside, we're the perfect high society pair. I can work with that. "Tell me, what are the perks for… joining you?"

"Why, you'd be a queen, of course. I'm going to take over my father's empire. And you'd be by my side. We were already fated to be, if not for your father." The way he's telling this, it's like he actually believes his delusions.

"Hmm… tempting," I drawl seductively.

"You're quite quick to throw your husband away." He strokes my cheek, and I have to keep myself from shuddering in disgust. I smile instead. "It was Daddy's desire to marry Theo… I couldn't say no."

"And you did everything your daddy told you, didn't you?"