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My head is reeling with this information, and I don’t know which way is up. How do I navigate all of this? What can I do? I need some time alone so I can make a plan. Yes, that’s what I’ll have to do.
“Eat, darling Baby.” Luis looks at me sternly until I, with shaking hands, pick up my knife and fork. “That is a good girl. While you eat, I will explain what I expect from you.”
Although my stomach churns at the mere thought of eating, I pick at the vegetable on my plate. “Thank you,” I murmur, feeling I have to say something, and it seems I guessed right when Luis’ intense expression softens slightly.
“I do not fault the three men for not obeying Neil. He was a means to an end, a tool, as you would say. Even tools can be useful in the right circumstances, but they are hardly ever vital. My plan was always to let you exact revenge on Neil. If you had not, I would have. I did not sanction what he did to you, and it was inexcusable. He knew you are mine, something he learned after Mark gave me a courtesy call to tell me that your boss made you dance for other men when I could not make my Wednesday appointment.” Luis makes a disgusted sound in the back of his throat, like he’s finding the entire thing distasteful and bothersome.
Although I know I shouldn’t, I ask, “What about Mark? Was that part of your master plan?”
“What an interesting question, my darling Baby. No, killing Mark was not part of any master plan, as you put it. A distasteful and regretful act, but a necessity all the same.” Luis looks somewhat regretful, which is pissing me off. How dare he talk about Mark’s death like it was unavoidable?
“Why?” I croak, immediately regretting the question. I don’t want to hear Mark’s death discussed like this. It feels wrong and disrespectful.
Opposite me, Luis swirls the red wine around in his glass. “He was in my way. I know you must be searching for a higher meaning, so let me save you the trouble. There is none. Mark is dead because I willed it, because I wanted it. He would always put himself between you and me, so this would always be the outcome.”
“He didn’t deserve to die like that, shot by a coward who once called him a friend.” Despite my earlier plan of playing nice, I hiss the words at Luis. “Mark was a warrior, my warrior. He didn’t deserve to be executed at Neil’s hand.”
Taking his time, Luis cuts a piece of meat before bringing it to his lips, chewing forever. “On that, we can agree. It was unjust.”
Oh, well, as long as we can agree… Asshole!
“As I was saying, I don’t blame the three men for not following Neil’s instructions. He let my protection go to his head, putting his agenda ahead of mine. Because of his actions, I have had to alter my plans, and I think I have found the perfect solution.”
The smile on his thin lips and sparkle of eagerness in his eyes is all the warning I need to know that whatever he’s going to propose won’t be good—but I also already know I’m going to agree. How can I not?
“I will agree to let Alec Blanton, Kasper Lee Blake, and Coen James Birch walk free, and I will even promise not to interfere in their lives again. I will give Alec his money back and pay full restitution—enough so they can start their business.”
A shiver runs down my spine as I ask, “In return for what?”
“I want you to agree to be mine! No holds barred, no loopholes, and no vague promises. Marry me tomorrow, and they will be free to go.”
Even though my body is itching to jump out of the chair, to scream obscenities at him, I remain still. Rather than lunge across the table and stab him with my fork, I clear my throat and daintily wipe my mouth with the cloth napkin. “Do you promise you’ll never again dole out your own brand of justice against anyone I know without telling me about it? Without letting me have a say?” When he nods, I continue. “You’ll leave my family and friends alone, and you will involve no one else ever again.”
“Those are terms I cannot promise. I cannot control other people, so how can you expect me to agree? However, I can assure you that I will not harm anyone you know—whether it is the guy who makes your coffee or your mother—without conferring with you first. As my wife, you will be my equal. I do not plan to keep you locked up forever, only long enough for you to gain my trust. I want us to build a life together, darling Baby.”
Is he for real? He’s even more delusional than Neil.
I… Fuck! What do I do? And is that even a question? If I reject him, he will most likely use my guys to wear me down, making sure I agree by all means necessary. If not them, then possibly Jewell, Reid, Maria… Although I’ve always kept to myself, I have people in my life I’ll do anything to protect. I might never have thought that “anything” would include marrying my stalker, but here we are.
As my heart beats violently in my chest and sweat runs down my back, I look Luis in the eyes. “Okay,” I agree. “If you don’t harm them or anyone else and set them free tonight, I will say ‘I do’ tomorrow.”
Luis shakes his head and makes a clucking sound. “No, no, no, not tonight. They will witness our nuptials tomorrow, and after the celebrations, they are free to go.”
“Unharmed?”
Before I can blink, Luis darts out of his chair and around the expansive table. I yelp in surprise and fear as he grabs me by the arm and throws me against the wall. “Darling Baby, what did I say about repeating myself?”
His hand is pressed against my chest, just above the L he burned into my skin forever. “I’m… I’m…” I gasp, the pain from my wound so intense black spots dance across my eyes.
“Do not say you are sorry, for you are not,” he says in an admonishing tone, pushing closer so I can feel the length of his body pressed against mine. “Today, I shall let it slide. You must be tired and weary. Maybe you do not even know what you are saying.”
His hand trails down, delving beneath the flimsy material of the dress I’m wearing. “Don’t!” I cry as he squeezes my breast hard. It’s not the discomfort that makes me cry out, it’s the thought of the bandage coming undone. “Please, Luis… I’ll be good,” I beg, tears silently falling from my eyes.
Fuck, why did I have to push him?
“I already promised that the men can leave unharmed with Alec’s money and full restitution. Why must you ask me to repeat myself?”
Shifting my weight from one foot to the other, my hand grazes his hard-on and I fight back the urge to move away. Instead, I place my hand right on his erection. “It’s as you said,” I purr and wipe away my tears. “I’m tired and weary, and I think the drugs are still messing with my head.” Then I let my hand trail up his length.
