Page 11 of Eternally His

My brother had been cruel, and my parents had been distant, but they were still my family. I had no one now.

The shattered house suddenly felt cavernous and empty. My chest hollowed out, until it felt empty too.

We reached my bedroom, and the world tilted as Sebastián set me down on my feet. I clung to him, my knees rubbery beneath me. Leaning on him for support, I glanced around. My room was bizarrely normal, untouched by the violence. Somehow, that made everything worse, harder to process.

My chest convulsed on a soft sob, and hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

“Hush now, nenita.” Calloused hands cupped my face, and warm thumbs wiped away my tears.

My breath stuttered at the shockingly intimate, comforting touch. No one comforted me when I cried. Ever. Not my parents, and certainly not my sadistic brother, who was often the cause of my tears.

I blinked up at my savior, the world wavering out of focus until all I could see was his ruggedly handsome face. He hadn’t turned on the lights, but I could still make out his strong features in the moonlight drifting through the window. He appeared even more fierce and angelic than he had in the car, and he was closer to me now. Holding me. His corded arms surrounding me and keeping me upright when I didn’t have the strength to stand on my own.

His eyes were so dark and deep. I fell into them, wanting to drown in the inky warmth. My head tipped back as I stared up at my avenging angel with something like awe. His eyes sparked when they flicked to my parted lips. His head dipped a fraction toward mine in the moment before his entire body locked up.

“Can you stand on your own?” he asked stiffly.

I withered in his iron arms, my cheeks burning. What was I doing? This awful day had rocked me to my core, and I couldn’t think straight.

I stared down at the floor. “Yes,” I mumbled, forcing my knees to support me.

He stepped away abruptly, and cold closed over my heated skin, making me shiver. His big hand twitched toward me, then formed a fist and withdrew.

“You’ll be fine.” I wasn’t sure if he was reassuring me or himself.

I nodded mutely, too mortified at my behavior to speak.

He turned sharply and stomped out of my bedroom. The sound of glass crunching beneath his boots in the hallway set my teeth on edge, reminding me of the destruction I’d have to face in the morning. Somehow, I’d have to put my home back together. I’d have to put my life back together.

The daunting prospect pressed down on my shoulders, and I sank to my knees.

There would be more wolves at my door soon. Not to kill me, but to take what was mine. The cartel would want my family’s fortune. The only security I had in life—my wealth—would become the greatest source of danger. Men would try to take control of my money. They would try to take control of me.

Rage bloomed in my chest. I hated the cartel. I hated the men who would try to use me in the coming days. All I wanted was to be free. To be safe.

Longing tugged at my chest. I’d felt safe with Sebastián.

I shook my head sharply, angry with myself. Sebastián was fiercely loyal to the cartel. If I threw myself into his arms, I’d never be free from the criminal organization that would strive to take away the only security I had at my disposal.

I couldn’t rely on anyone else to save me. Especially not Sebastián Castillo. I would not sacrifice my freedom for safety. I was stronger than that. I had to be, or I wouldn’t survive.

CHAPTER 4

ISABEL

THREE WEEKS LATER

I was going to betray the cartel. Not for myself, but to save someone else: a woman named Marisol, who was being held captive by Raúl Guerrero. She’d told me she was well-treated as his prisoner, but I shuddered at the idea of that petite, sweet woman trapped with the beast of a man.

I was tired of being lost and alone in the world. Ever since my brother had been killed, I’d spent my days overseeing the rebuilding of my home and my nights fending off the numerous men who’d come to claim my fortune under the guise of romance. Carlos had been particularly persistent. I hadn’t let the guards allow him past the restored front gates.

I hated the cartel and all the men in its corrupt ranks. I hated my lack of purpose in life, having to focus all my energy on survival rather than actually living for myself.

So, when I’d met Marisol and learned of her plight, I’d resolved to act. I would save her from Raúl’s selfish, twisted desires. She would be free, even if I couldn’t be.

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