I’ve heard of enough wives who’ve diedaccidentally. Either their use had expired, they’d expired and their husbands wanted to trade them in, or they’d seen or heard something they shouldn’t have.
In my case, I think I’ll expire in use.
That’s what’s going to happen to me. This monstrous man is going to force me to marry him so he can rule the cartel, then kill me.
A tendril of panic seizes my body when the thud of heavy boots sounds on the other side of the door and the handle turns.
As the door swings open and I see him—Mikhail Dmitriyev—my heart leaps like a gazelle into my throat then beats like a harsh fist pounding against the walls of my chest.
He walks slowly into the room, and the door swings shut behind him. The dark intensity of his presence forces me to back into the wall as if the black silky wallpaper can offer me the comfort and safety I seek.
A mirthless smile spreads across his face, but it still animates his handsome features.
I notice he’s clean of the blood that was previously on him, and he’s changed his clothes. He’s still wearing full black, though, in a shirt and slacks similar to what he just took off.
As he comes closer, sandalwood and sexy musk fill my nostrils, and I scan over the artful tattoos lining his fingers and climbing up his neck.
Everything is clearer in this light, including the solemn expression on his face.
Thoughts and questions collide in my mind.
Thoughts that do nothing to ebb my fears and questions he might not answer.
As he comes even closer, I think of two things.
One, he thinks I’m Adriana, which is what’s keeping me alive.
Two, he needs me. Right now, he needs me, and even though I don’t know how long the need will exist, I need to find whatever strength I can from that knowledge.
So, being this weak woman isn’t going to help me.
I need to find strength although I’m afraid. Just like before.
“Are you afraid of me, Malyshka?” he asks, tilting his head to the side.
“Ma…lysh…ka?” I stammer.
“Baby girl in Russian.”
That shouldn’t heat up my body the way it does, but nothing about the last twenty-four hours has been normal. Should I be surprised if I’ve finally gone crazy?
God knows enough has happened to push me right over the edge. But since it looks like I’m still hanging on, I won’t let go of whatever thread I’m gripping on to. I’ll keep holding on for as long as I can.
“Did you kill José?” I manage.
Curiosity fills his face, and when he leans in and places his hands on the wall on either side of me, I think he might kiss me.
He towers over me, and my heartbeat doubles when I get that suffocating feeling again.
“Interesting, Malyshka. You showed more emotion for the old man than you did for your own father.”
Shit.
I wasn’t thinking. My mind and body were simply reacting as anyone would if they were watching their biggest enemy fall. I was being myself. Natalia de Leon. And I forgot to be Adriana Alvarez.
He’s right. I barely showed an ounce of remorse for Raul. Anyone seeing their parent in such a way would have lost their minds. Having lost both parents in violent ways, I know exactly how Ishouldhave behaved.
The hysterics should have hit me the moment he told me he was going to kill Raul.
