Page 3 of Surrendered Hearts
He calls and I debate not answering him. My heart, however, craves him. I’m helpless but to take the call.
“I’m not coming to your room simply because you demand my presence,” I say, willing myself to not give in.
“I have precisely twenty minutes before my next meeting. We have things to discuss. Don’t make me come to you.”
His deep voice with that thick Colombian accent I love hits me where it always does, low in my belly. It also sends need racing through every vein in my body, and messes with my ability to think straight.
Javier might be an asshole, but he’s one I struggle to resist.
“If you want to talk, that’s exactly what you’re going to have to do,” I say. “I’ll be in my room in five minutes.”
I end the call without bothering to tell him my room number.
I have no doubt he already knows it.
2
JAVIER
“I’m taking it by the look on your face she hasn’t changed,” Lorenzo says.
I eye my brother as I slip my phone into my trousers. “She will.”
He lifts his brows. “I think you’re underestimating her ability to fight you and test you.”
He’s wrong that I’m underestimating her, but not wrong that she will test me. Emilia Sanchez was put on this earth to do just that. The redheaded beauty who will be my wife will take some managing, but by the time she vows to honor me, she will mean every word she utters, and that will involve respecting my authority. I will ensure it.
I pocket the room key. “I’ll be back in time for our meeting with Jose.”
“And dinner tonight if he suggests it?”
“No. I’ll be having dinner with Emilia.”
“This might be our one shot at Jose.”
“I’m aware. I’m also aware that our one shot at fixing the shit our family is in with the Sanchezes rests on my marriage to theirdaughter, so how about you take care of what you need to while I handle my end of it all.”
“Fuck,” he mutters before nodding his agreement.
I exit the suite and stride to the elevator, my thoughts entirely on Emilia when they should be on the problems the cartel’s currently facing. This is the reason why marrying her is the worst thing I could do. However, as much as I tried to find a way around it, I couldn’t. Joining the Torres and Sanchez families is the only way to unite us after all the blood that’s been spilled. Without our marriage, there will be no trust between the families to allow the cartel to function as it should.
My family founded the Serrano Cartel three decades ago, however, we’ve always relied on the Sanchez family to work with us. My father formalized that relationship nineteen years ago when he brought Emilia’s father on as his second-in-command. This worked well until a year ago when her brothers didn’t approve of some decisions my father made. The divide it caused led to bloodshed within the organization that we can’t sustain. Eight weeks ago, the families sat down to talk and came to an agreement that would ensure an end to this bloodshed and a way forward for the cartel. We will be joined by my marriage to Emilia, and both families will have a stake in the cartel.
I ride the elevator down one level and locate Emilia’s room. She takes her time answering my knock, but I don’t expect anything less. This woman has a way of pressing all my buttons without even trying. Keeping me waiting is just one of her methods.
“Javier,” she finally greets me, as beautiful as ever.
I run my gaze over her body and the strapless white jumpsuit covering it. Emilia always did love jumpsuits, but I know why she’s chosen to wear this one today, and it has nothing to do with her preference, and everything to do with mine. She knows I prefer her in a dress. This is Emilia stating her defiance.
Entering her suite, I glance around, noting the lack of anything I’d usually expect in a room occupied by a woman. There are no shopping bags holding expensive clothes and shoes; no clothes strewn across the bed; no mess of make-up or other personal belongings. Emilia is a rare breed of woman. One who spends her time making power moves in her business rather than shopping, gossiping, or making demands on the man in her life. She’s the type of woman I don’t usually seek out, but one I’m attracted to.
Emilia left Colombia and moved to America when she was nineteen. She studied business and finance, and started her own successful business helping women with their finances. She began expanding that business last year, servicing her established base in other areas. I’ve kept up with every move she’s made; her current one into health and beauty being the one I believe will make her more successful than any of the others. And that’s saying something because her success if already astounding.
“I’d like us to have dinner tonight,” I say, meeting her gaze. It’s been far too long since I’ve looked into those green eyes of hers, and fuck if they don’t affect me. They always did and I don’t see that changing any time soon. However, my response to how they affect me will be different this time around. I won’t allow it to be what it once was. Ican’tallow that.
“I’m busy tonight.”
“Make yourself unbusy.”