The week that Vee and Raina spent getting to know each other was the best that Vee had ever experienced. Raina came to Vee’s room every day and spent hours with her, telling her about her life with her adoptive parents, her time at University, her friends, everything. Vee soaked up each new fact like a starving woman. She thought, if this moment ever came, that it would hurt to hear about her daughter’s life separate from hers. But instead of jealousy over her missed time, she could only feel gratitude that Raina had grown into such a lovely young woman.
Vee had more difficulty sharing her own life with Raina, after their first conversation. There wasn’t much about her past that she was proud of or that was good enough that it wouldn’t be a burden for Raina to know. So instead, Vee encouraged her daughter to talk about herself. Once Raina started to set aside the hurt she’d carried with her since childhood, she was happy to open up to her birth mother. And Vee was more than happy to listen. She loved knowing that, despite Raina’s serious health issues, she’d experienced a contented life. For that, Vee felt she owed Diane and Joe Duncan. They’d done exactly as they’d promised, given Raina everything that Vee couldn’t.
Raina showed a maturity for her years that Vee was proud of. Raina was intelligent, determined and independent. She was in the process of putting herself through school, paying for it through a part-time job and her forgery set-up. Vee had wanted to pay Raina’s way through University, but the girl was sharp and old enough to have questioned where the money came from. So Vee had watched from the shadows, ready to step in if it looked like Raina was struggling. Far from struggling though, the child had used her keen mind and kept her own source of funds flowing. Vee was pretty sure that she should scold the girl for doing something illegal, that as a parent she was supposed to try to steer her child on the straight and narrow, but she couldn’t seem to summon any disapproval. She was impressed with Raina for finding a relatively harmless but lucrative method of supplementing her income.
The more time Vee spent with Raina the more her hatred toward Sotza waned. Despite his less than savoury method of procuring her child, he was still responsible for reuniting the two women. He also encouraged them to spend as much time as they wanted together in the week leading up to the wedding.
Though grudgingly, Vee was also grateful for the safe environment that Sotza provided for their reunification. She couldn’t have contact with Raina while she was under Tony’s thumb and she couldn’t risk contact after she became the queen of Miami. At that point she’d had to let the idea of ever seeing Raina again go. She couldn’t risk enemies catching wind of her weakness. Especially when she experienced so many problems from the Mexican cartel. But now, under Sotza’s roof, Vee and Raina were safe. Though Vee was still angry at the way things had played out in Miami, she was grateful for this unexpected opportunity.
After their first conversation, Vee and Raina stopped talking about how to get Vee out of her upcoming nuptials. She assured her daughter that she was fine, that she was would make the best of the situation and eventually escape when opportunity presented itself. Instead they spent the days talking about life, preparing for the wedding and making plans. Though wary of her soon-to-be stepfather, Raina had become decidedly bossy when it came to Vee having the best of everything for her wedding. She directed the ordering of Vee’s gown and talked to the chef about their reception.
During her incarceration, Sotza’s mealtime visits to her room continued. He talked while she listened, but instead of ignoring him, she occasionally contributed to the conversation. She’d been unable to hold back. She wanted… needed to tell someone about Raina. About how smart the girl was, how proud Vee was of her. She also needed to talk through her feelings. Not something she’d ever really done before. But Sotza’s persistent, quietly thoughtful presence wore her down until she found herself telling him things she wouldn’t normally ever consider divulging. Not even to Casey, whom she considered her best friend.
“And she’s funded almost her entire University education with this document forgery set-up she has going. I think her job at the campus library is just a front in case anyone looks deeper into her financial situation. She must be quite good at forging to be doing as well as she is,” Vee told him when he stopped in for breakfast that morning. “I mean, part of me thinks I should warn her to stay away from that sort of thing. But she’s so smart, I just know she won’t get herself in any trouble. What do you think, Sotza?”
He had looked at her, silent for a moment, his dark brown eyes warming a little as he considered her. “I think she’s as smart as her mother. She’ll figure it out as she goes, and we’ll be here for her if she missteps and needs help.” Vee felt a tiny glow at the way he said we, as though he was as invested in Raina’s future as she was. She hadn’t known what to say, so she’d stayed silent while he continued. “I also think it’s time you started calling me Isaac.”
“Why would I do that?” She frowned at him.
His lips curved in genuine amusement. “Because it is my name, cariño.”
Her mouth had opened in shock for a moment and then she said the first thing that jumped into her mind. “But I thought your name was just Sotza.”
He’d chuckled. “Most people have first and last names, Vee. Sometimes even middle names.”
“Do you have a middle name,” she asked curiously.
He’d stood and approached her. Vee was too stunned by the knowledge of his first name to think about moving away. So when he touched her, running his hand from her wrist, up her arm to her face and touching her cheek lightly, she just blinked at him, waiting for him to speak. His touch sent tingles through her. It was so light but so evocative. She had the urge to melt into him.
“I suppose you’ll have to wait and see if I have a middle name.”
“Wait for what?” she whispered, tilting her head up to look at him. She liked the way his face softened just a little whenever they talked like this.
“You’ll have to wait for the priest to say our names on our wedding day, joining them together,” he said, his voice dropping a little. Her breath caught and fire erupted in her veins as both his fingers and his words touched her. It was probably the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her, yet it had that tiny bit of his sinister brand.
Sotza dropped his lips to hers, kissing her. It wasn’t exactly a chaste kiss nor was it punishing. Instead, his lips coaxed hers. He curved his long fingers along the side of her head burying them in her hair and holding her face still. He pressed his mouth to hers, breathing in as he lowered his head, taking in her scent and groaning a little as it hit him. And though she could feel the passion of his kiss, feel the rigid tension in his body, he held himself back from devouring her. She was helpless against him. She hesitated for just a moment and then pressed herself against him, tilting her face to deepen their kiss.
He brought his other hand up, clutching her head, holding her still for his exploration. Her breathing grew rapidly uneven, mingling with his as he deepened their kiss. The slight roughness of his chin and cheeks against her softer skin sent a thrill through her. Her nipples hardened in response and her lower belly felt as though it was melting. She almost wished he would raise her skirt, touch her where she ached to be touched. Where she hadn’t wanted anyone to touch her in so long, couldn’t stand the thought. Sotza… Isaac… was showing her how wrong she’d been. He was thawing her out.
He didn’t lift her skirt, didn’t touch her breasts. Instead, he lifted his head. Held onto hers for a moment longer, looking down into her eyes, powerful emotion blazing in his dark depths. Then he released her, stepping away. He kept a hand on her arm until she was steady and then he picked up her empty breakfast tray and moved to the door.
“Do you know my middle name?” Vee asked, her voice huskier than usual. He paused, the grooves around his mouth deepening as he fought a smile.
“I do,” he admitted.
“Well, what is it?” she demanded breathlessly.
; He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her aroused body and flooding her with more sensations. “I guess you’ll find out on our wedding day.”
And for the first time, Vee genuinely laughed in his presence.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The bride had mixed feelings on her wedding day. Sotza did not. Every step he took with Vee felt right. Felt like destiny. Which wasn’t something he’d ever considered before. He believed that life was what you made it. Every move he made was carefully calculated, the outcome prearranged and optimized. He looked at the world and understood how it worked. He made sure there were no surprises, and when there were, he went to work.
Vee had been a surprise. He hadn’t expected the Miami madam to take hold of him, sweep him up in her storm and grip him in a way nothing else had. He’d loved before. And he’d lost. That woman was perfection in every way. Light-hearted, carefree, beautiful. She had been the light to his darkness. When she married someone else he had chosen to love from afar. He could have taken her, could have forced her into his life, as he was doing with Vee. But he hadn’t, had thought at the time that he preferred to give the woman he loved anything she wanted, even if what she wanted was another man.
Now he understood that his attachment to Sandra, Casey Reyes’ mother, hadn’t been as deep as he thought. His feelings for Sandra had been genuine affection and appreciation, heartbreak when she was killed. What he felt for Vee was soul deep. It gripped his heart, the very fibre of his being, and latched on. He didn’t know if it was love. It felt like more than love. It was possessive. Intense. Consuming and obsessive. She occupied all of his thoughts, his decisions now based on her best interests, her comfort, hopefully her future happiness. He used to believe that men obsessed with their wives became weak, but Vee made him strong. She made him wary and protective. He would never let her go.
He watched her step out of the vehicle, Mateo on one side of her and Raina on the other. Three more bodyguards surrounded the group. She was magnificent. Her beautiful, radiant exterior the perfect wrapping for a deep, dark woman. A woman that called to him. She owned him. And he was about to make it legal.
He couldn’t wait to bind her to him. He believed if she’d still been married when he met her he would’ve killed her husband and taken her anyway, quite the same way Reyes had acquired his wife. His sharp eyes followed her as she walked up the steps to meet him at the top. She was breathtakingly elegant in her strapless golden wedding dress. The dress draped in a straight line, hugging her petite curves from top to bottom, the colour setting off her radiant glow. It fit her perfectly.
He held a hand out to her as she approached, her intelligent sapphire gaze steady on his face. He wondered if she would take it or if she would ignore it. If she would balk, refuse to touch him and make a show of her reluctance to marry. Though he enjoyed their dance, he found her unpredictable. Never knew if she would attack or treat him with cold indifference. He lived for the moments she finally warmed, unable to help herself from melting as he stole a kiss.
Vee stepped up to him, so close that the bottom of her dress flared a little around her sandaled feet and brushed his pant leg. Without taking her eyes from his she took his hand, sliding her fingers across his palm and locking them together. She might be a reluctant bride, might still be angry, but she was declaring an alliance. Satisfaction flooded through him as he closed his fingers around her slim hand, trapping her in his hold. Together they turned and entered the church.
Sotza had the church built on his land decades ago, a place for his employees and their families to worship. He didn’t go often. Didn’t feel he had any right to such a place of goodness. But on his wedding day, he felt the need to attach his bride to his side in the humble building, a place that was stamped by him, a place within his control. He wouldn’t allow a single security issue to mess up his wedding day.
Their walk to the alter was short. The pews were already occupied by many of his people. He was a little surprised at how many showed up. The wedding wasn’t a mandatory event. Yet the place was filled, some even left standing. He nodded toward Armand, head of his internal security. Sotza didn’t think he’d ever seen the man in anything less than his full combat gear. He lived, ate and breathed security. Yet, here he was, at a wedding, wearing a suit, a young woman at his side.
What drew them to the church? Was it curiosity, boredom or true loyalty to their leader? Glancing down at Vee, he remembered the loyalty she’d inspired in her people. The way they flocked to her, tried to protect her, would lay down their lives for her. She was vicious in her own right, but she was also passionate, warm and kind, when the occasion warranted. She was exactly the woman he wanted at his side, inspiring these same feelings in his people. Perhaps they were drawn to the church to see the woman that had finally captured Sotza’s attention.
Though a catholic ceremony, Sotza had ensured that the ceremony wouldn’t be a long one. He was done waiting for this woman, done watching her every move, his imagination wild with the things he wanted to do with and to her. It was like he’d waited years for Elvira and a moment more was too much. He ran his thumb over her hand, feeling the delicate bone structure beneath. Now his to take care of until one of them left the Earth.
He repeated his vows solemnly, only stopping to throw Vee a small smile when their full names were spoken. She blushed when, instead of a simple ‘I do’ he repeated the vow, “I, Isaac Rafael Sotza, take Elvira Vivian Montana to be my lawfully wedded wife.”
When it was her turn, she lifted her chin and repeated the same vow. Almost. “I, Vee Montana, take Isaac Rafael Sotza to be my lawfully wedded husband.”
He wanted to laugh but held it in. She was giving him a gift. By repeating their names the way she had, she’d declared in front of God, his people, everyone, that she was now his partner. His equal. The queen that would stand by his side and rule his kingdom with him.
It was perfect.
She was perfect.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
When the wedding ceremony ended they went up to the main house to enjoy an extravagant and delicious brunch, overseen by Raina. For the first time Vee was able to observe her daughter and Sotza together. It was clear that Sotza indulged the girl, had perhaps even grown fond of her, though it was hard to tell. He kept his emotions carefully contained, his face rarely showing his thoughts, though she detected a modicum of warmth in his gaze as he tracked the girl across the room, watched silently while she bossed his staff.
Vee was surprised when Sotza leaned down to tell her that their car was ready. She looked up at him, frowning in question. “Our honeymoon,” he explained.
She hadn’t thought there would be any kind of honeymoon. She expected him to treat the marriage as more of a business transaction now that the deed was done. She supposed she shouldn’t be surprised though, given the fiery nature of their relationship and Sotza’s tendency toward the old-fashioned.
After saying their good-byes, they were driven to the airstrip where a plane was waiting for them. It wasn’t the same plane she had arrived in. This one was smaller, built to carry fewer people. Sotza opened the passenger side and lifted her easily up into the craft. He took the pilot seat, leaning across her to belt her in. After making sure she was comfortable he checked the instruments and had a brief conversation with Mateo, who he was leaving in charge while they were away.
It was clear that Sotza was an expert at flying. Vee’s eyes followed the movements of his strong, veined hands. She watched the way he scanned the horizon and made adjustments to the instruments. It was sexy. There was something about the ease and careful control he showed while flying that got to her. Tony had been controlling, but he hadn’t been able to maintain control. He was addicted to his own product, he was violent, but not in the same way as Sotza. Tony had been an angry man. If something didn’t go his way then he would become infuriated, blame everyone except himself. Somehow Vee suspected Sotza was far different. He was definitely violent, but every move he made
was calculated, controlled to produce a result.
“Where are we going?” she finally asked. She was eager to know, but hesitant to find out.
Sotza looked over at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I have an island off the coast. We’ll spend a few days there. I know you won’t want to be away from Raina for long.”
He was right. It had been a wrench to leave her daughter behind, even for a few days. Just before they left the mansion Raina had hugged her. It was the first time. Vee had teared up but turned her face away so no one would see her emotion. She’d held her daughter close, pressing her tight, for just a few seconds, before releasing her.
“Will we land right on the island?” Vee asked.
“No, we’ll land outside of Caracas, drive to the coast and take a boat out to the island.”
Caracas. The capital city of Venezuela. Vee had trouble wrapping her brain around the idea that she was in this place. That she’d travelled so far from her home. As sophisticated as she tried to present herself, she was still just a big fish in a small pond when it came to Miami. Travelling internationally had always been a distant dream, something she’d aspired to as she worked on educating herself through the years, but not something she thought would actually happen.
She pressed her hand against the window, watching eagerly as the city unfolded below them. The sun was just beginning to set, lighting up the valley in an array of colours. “It’s so beautiful!” she exclaimed, as she tried to search out individual assets of a city steeped in history.
Sotza spoke to her, raising his voice so she could hear him above the engine. He pointed out cathedrals, downtown Caracas, the industrial district. His knowledge of the capital was vast and his pride in his country came through loud and clear. He stopped talking to her as he prepared to land. She admired the easy way he maneuvered the craft, setting them down lightly on the tarmac. There were so many things to appreciate about the man. It seemed strange that they’d started out as bitter enemies. Well… she’d just been business to him, but she’d hated the very idea of him. The Venezuelan Butcher, in her city, sent to take her down.
Queen’s Move: Book Two of The Queens Page 15