Page 66 of Violent Attraction

Going with Santiago right now is going to break me beyond repair, but I have no choice, so I nod.

I nod and walk out of that room with him right behind me.

The walk to my father’s office is similar to the one we made all those weeks ago. The only difference is that back then I had the hopes that maybe, just maybe, it would be me and Santos getting engaged. Not what I think is about to happen.

“You called me bella.” I mutter out, not bothering to look at the man.

“You were ignoring me. I had to get your attention somehow.” I can hear him grinding his teeth out of annoyance from where I am. Good. Let him be annoyed.

We could be figuring out this whole fucked up situation together, but no this man had to leave me, throw everything we’ve built together away, and for what? To be mad at me for being in this situation?

Fuck that.

“Well, you’ve been ignoring me since all this shit started so I guess karma came and bit you in the ass.”

He doesn’t say anything, he just continues to grind his teeth as we walk through the estate.

When we finally make it to my father’s office, my suspicions about why I was called in here are right.

In the office is Emilio and his father sitting on the armchairs in front of my father’s desk and Ronaldo himself sitting behind the wooden piece of furniture, with not a care in the world.

“Thank you, Santos. You can go.” My father waves a hand of indifference at my companion, excusing him.

He must nod and walk out of the room.

When I hear the wooden door click close, I try to hold myself together as much as I possibly can.

Not one man in this room has my best interest at heart. The one man I could depend on, who I know would try to save me from anything, was just dismissed and now I’m left to the wolves.

Actually, no. Calling these men wolves is too generous. They deserve something more, something more fearful, something more predatory.

Vultures.

These men are vultures, and they hunt two things. Money and power.

I continue to stand there by the doorway, waiting for someone to say something.

It takes me by surprise when Emilio stands up and approaches me.

There’s a look of smugness on his face and his mouth is curved up in a smirk that makes my stomach queasy.

Emilio Castro is a handsome man, that much I will give him but there is something about him that comes off as seedy or maybe it's the predatory side. I did say he was a vulture after all.

“You look beautiful as always, Isabella.” He reaches for one of my hands and brings it up to his lips.

I want to cringe at the action. I want to take a step back and get as far away from this man as possible, but I can’t.

Even the way he says my name unsettles me.

This good guy thing is a front. Ever since my father announced the agreement, Emilio has worn a mask. Since he has been spending a lot more time here at the estate, becoming one of my father’s trusted men, I’ve crossed paths with him a time or two.

If my father is around, he acts like the perfect gentleman that would make any Mexican mother proud.

But when there is no one around that he needs to impress? The mask comes off.

There has been a time or two when I have run into him and every single time, he reminds me of what he will do to me when we are married.

He tells me that he won’t touch me before, but once the vows are said, that I’m all his. That I should get used to being on my knees.