by K. Langston
It’s been three years since I lost my mother. Three years since I came to live here with my father. I hate that word.
Father.
But that is what he orders me to call him. I refused at first. Teddy was and would always be the only father I’d ever known, but little by little, day by day, he succeeded in breaking me down. Everything I have, every privilege, and every breath has to be earned. Nothing in his world is free.
Least of all my freedom.
It has taken a full year to earn the privilege of leaving my cell. He treated me like an animal and I acted as such, scratching and clawing anyone who dare come near me. My father was not amused and he did not tolerate such rebelliousness. He withheld food. Water. And at one point, clothing, before I finally submitted to his will.
I’ve learned quickly that pleasing him is far better than disappointing him, so I’ve become what he wants.
Obedient.
Compliant.
After a while, after all hope of escaping had been lost, I accepted my fate. It was my only chance for survival. This would be my life. Eventually, I earned his trust but each night, as I sit in my room and gaze up at the stars littering the midnight sky through the iron bars on my window, I pray that I escape, that someday, I will be free.
I hear shouting from downstairs, nothing unusual for this time of night, but then I hear a gunshot and spring from my spot on the window seat.
I rush to the door, cracking it open to peek into the hall. One of my father’s men stands guard near the top of the stairs and when the shouting continues, he rushes down the steps to investigate. Crouching down, I crawl out of my door on my hands and knees to the rails of the balcony overlooking the foyer.
My uncle and father move into my line of sight. They are speaking in Spanish in hushed tones. I can’t make out what they are saying but their words seem heated.
And final.
Once my father walks away, my uncle lifts his eyes, locking with mine. I’ve seen less and less of him as of late. He was once my father’s most trusted ally and now they have become enemies. I do not know or understand why they are at odds, all I know is that I feel safer in my uncle’s presence and he is my last remaining hope for an escape.
He climbs the stairs two at a time then kneels down next to me. I do not understand how the two men can be brothers. They are complete opposites. One has a heart of gold; the other has the heart of a monster.
“Come here, my angel,” he says, taking me in his arms. I climb into his lap, seeking comfort in his embrace. My uncle is nothing like my father. He is not cruel or mean. He cares for me. He tells me as much each time he comes to visit. He always tells me how beautiful and special I am and how he is finding a way to get me away from my father.
“You look just like your mother,” he remarks, lifting my chin.
“You knew my mother?”
“I knew her very well. I tried to help her escape but she left on her own. I searched everywhere for her. For you both. But he found you first.”
Tears fill my own eyes. “I miss her so much.”
His fingers graze my wet cheeks. “I know you do.”
I sob, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my head into his chest.
“Don’t cry, angel,” he murmurs, cupping the back of my head. “Everything will be as it should. In time. But you must remain strong. And patient.”
“Why do you speak as if this is good-bye?”
“Because I must go away for a while.”
I cling to the lapels of his suit coat. “No, you can’t! Please, take me with you. I do not want to stay here any longer. Please. I will be good, I promise.”
He chuckles and holds me tighter. “I know you will. You are such a good girl. But I must go and prepare a place for us. A safe place where we can be a family. Would you like that? To be a family?”
I nod eagerly. “I want that more than anything in this world.”
Besides my mother.
But nothing will ever bring her back.
“Then you must be patient, my dear. You must be strong. I will come back for you, Selena. I will take you away from this place, I swear it.”
He vowed but that never happened. I stayed there for another six years awaiting his return, but he never came.
“You never came back for me,” I whisper as my thoughts gravitate back to the present, my voice cracking with the pain of the memory. “I waited for you. For years, I waited.”
Tears swim in his brown eyes. “I am so sorry, Selena. I tried. I tried everything I could to get you out of there but I—” His gaze shifts to Justin. “¿Podemos hablar en privado?”
Justin tenses next to me, he’s been on guard since we pulled into the driveway. To be honest, I’m on guard, too. Though I am happy to see him, I am apprehensive, to say the least. I cannot deny that now, after being free and under Justin’s care, my perception has changed.
“If you have something to say you’ll have to say it in front of me. Say it Spanish, English, I don’t give a fuck. But I’m not leaving this room and neither is she.”
The deep tone of his voice and command in it sends goose bumps rippling across my skin.
My uncle lets go of a long, deep breath, pain etched across his face. “I’ve been trying for years to get you out of there. Day after day I did everything in my power to save you, but my brother was a very powerful man and he threatened to kill you if I ever came back again so I had to keep my distance, but I never stopped trying.”
Arms crossed over his chest, Justin grunts next to me as if he doesn’t believe a word my uncle is saying, but I know that he must have. I have to believe that he tried. I know what kind of man my father was. I know what he was capable of. I’d seen it many times.
“That is why I am here. I want to make it up to you. The years you have lost. The years we have lost. I would like for you to come stay with me. After all, we are family. You are my only niece. I want to take care of you, protect you, and keep you safe.”
His hand reaches out to cover mine and my heart aches in my chest. All I’ve ever wanted was to have a family. When I lost my mother and Teddy, I never thought I would have that again. A family. A place where I belong.
And now that possibility is being laid before me…
“I have a plane standing by. We can leave tonight.”
“And go where?” I ask.
“Back to Mexico. Where my home is. The home I promised to prepare for us.”
The thought of having a family fills the dark void in my chest but the thought of leaving Justin only deepens it. “I—I need to think about all of this. Everything has happened so fast. The last week has been overwhelming.”
His jaw clenches. “I see.” He stands and buttons his coat. “I need to deal with some business while I am in town anyway, so I can wait if you need time to think it over.”
“Yes, please.”
“Very well. I will be in touch in a few days,” he says, leaning down to kiss me on my cheek. “You look as beautiful as ever, my angel.”
“Thank you.” I get up to hug him and walk him to the door. The moment he is gone, I turn around to find an angry Justin.
“Please tell me that you’re not seriously considering going anywhere with him.”
“I don’t know,” I whisper.
“How long has it been? Six years. He left you there for six fucking years, Selena.”
“The past does not matter. He is here now. He is the only family that I have left.”
“Just because he’s family doesn’t mean he can be trusted.”
“I appreciate your concern, Justin, I do, but I just need time to think about this. Everything has happened so fast,” I say, holding my hand to my head. The throb there growing worse by the second. I just need some time.
Justin grits his teeth and walks out onto the front porch, the screen door slamming with a thwack behind him. I retreat upstairs, my heart and mind in a whirlwind over what to do.
I had to walk away
before I said something I would regret later. My emotions are all over the damn place. To think she is even considering going with him has my blood boiling.
I can’t lose her.
No fucking way.
Not now.
And who the hell does he think he is anyway? He left her there. Never came back for her. That knowledge alone singes me and comforts me at the same time. In a fucked up way, I’m glad he didn’t come back for her because then I would have never found her.
Curling my fingers into a fist, I slam the base of it against the post, inhaling several deep breaths in an attempt to regain some semblance of control.
What I do know is there is no way in hell she’s going anywhere with him. The way he kept looking at her gave me the damn creeps. My hackles were raised from the second he got out of that SUV and he knew it. I didn’t try to hide my ire when he said he wanted Selena to come live with him either.
Fuck that shit.
Not happening.
Selena may think his intentions are good but I know better.
Dipping my hand into my pocket, I retrieve my phone to call one of my special investigators and a trusted friend. Lindsey’s husband, Larson Higgens.
“Higgens.”
“I need you to check into someone for me.”
“I need to know everything you can tell me on Carlito Cruz.”
I can hear his fingers already moving across the keys of his computer. The fucker never sleeps.
“The attorney general of Mexico?”
“He’s Selena’s uncle.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“I need to know everything. Where he sleeps, who he has dealings with, and how he’s related to Cesar Del Marco.”
“Anything else?”
“I also want all the information you can get me on Teddy and Vivian Allen out of Iowa.”
“On it. I’ll call you when I have information.”
“Thanks.”
“You got it, boss.”
Ending the call, I look up to find Grady’s truck coming down the long dirt driveway. They stop in front of the porch and Pop opens the door to get out. “Holler at me tomorrow, we’ll go on down to the VFW.”
Pop makes his way up the cobblestone path leading to the porch. “What’s the matter with you? You look about ready to spit nails.”
“Selena’s uncle was here when we got back today.”
“Well shit, give me the rundown.”
I fill Pop in on everything and he listens carefully, his anger growing with each word I say.
“This don’t feel right at all.”
“I know, Pop. My gut tells me his intentions aren’t good.”
“You know as well as I do that gut instinct is usually ninety-nine percent accurate.” Taking the final steps onto the porch, he stops in front of me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Protect her, son. No matter the cost. She may think she knows what she needs but your eyes see the evil she can’t.”
I nod in understanding. Selena is a smart and intelligent woman but she’s been isolated and longs for a sense of belonging and family. Her uncle being the closest person to that. So it’s understandable that she would want to trust him but the bigger question remains.
Could she?
“Oh, and I meant to tell you this earlier, Ash called. Said he’s been trying to get in touch with you. He’s coming down at the end of the week.”
“For what?”
“To work this shit out once and for all.”
I scoff. “I’m over it.”
Pop looks at me pointedly, that hard line between his brows creasing with irritation. “Then why won’t you talk to him?”
“What’s there to talk about? No need to rehash the shit. What’s done is done.”
“Christ, boy, haven’t I taught you anything? Never let a woman come between you and your brothers. Ever.”
He’s right. Looking back at it now, I had no reason to be pissed at Asher. He had no idea. He was clueless. Brandi, on the other hand, that bitch knew exactly what she was doing.
“Work it out. I mean it.”
“I hear what you’re saying, Pop.”
“Good, glad we have an understanding.” He ambles down the steps toward the garage. “Gonna go check on the horses and shoot the shit with Dino. Be back for supper.”
Walking back into the house, I try to get a grip on my emotions. I want to give her a little more time to think about everything that has happened today but I can’t. I need to make sure she’s okay.
That we’re okay.
I walk upstairs, untucking my shirt from my pants and unbuttoning it. My skin prickles with unease, not knowing what I will do if she says she does want to go with him. I decide rather quickly before knocking on the door that I’m not beneath begging.
The door slowly opens, revealing a tear-stained face and bloodshot eyes. My first instinct is to take her in my arms but instead I refrain, shoving my hands deep into my pockets.
“I’m sorry for being an asshole down there, but I’m not sorry for wanting you with me. This is your decision but know this.” My hands come out of my pockets, bracing the sides of the door. The need to touch her nearly uncontrollable. “No one will protect you and keep you safe like I can.”
“Oh, Justin.” She shakes her head, my name falling from her lips on a whisper that pricks at my heart.
“Don’t leave me.”
Her breath hitches. My heart fills with dread as she opens her mouth to speak, and I’m so afraid of what’s going to come out of it that I slam my lips against hers, wanting to show her exactly how bad I need her to stay.
To show her where she belongs.
Right here with me.
Inside my heart, my home, and my life.
Justin’s hands fist my hair as he holds my head in place, devouring my mouth. Then his hands move lower, down my ribcage, over my hips, to the backs of my legs, lifting me to wrap around him.
He carries me to his room, his mouth never leaving mine. An undercurrent of fear mixed with his passionate kiss. It’s the same fear that dwells in me.
“I can’t lose you,” he murmurs between heated kisses.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Damn right you’re not.” Reaching beneath my dress, he pulls my panties aside. “Let me inside.”
His voice is nothing more than a deep whisper but my heart clings to the embedded plea.
Using my arms as leverage, I lift myself up enough for him to unbutton his jeans and free himself. Then he pushes me back down, impaling me, filling me whole. Until I can no longer see anything but this and him.
Us.
He sits us down on the bed, me straddling him, neither one of us moving, just connected. In the most intimate, basic way a man and a woman can be connected. Strong hands move to my hips, squeezing hard as he guides me on his lap.
Hot.
Deep.
“I need you. Today, tomorrow, and every fucking day after that.”
His eyes are an intense shade of blue. A blue so dark I wonder if I’ll ever be able to swim from the endless depths, and the crazy thing is, I never want to. I want to drown in this man. Sink into the carnal abyss and never return because I know that no matter how deep we go, he’ll always be right there to bring me back to the surface.
Lifting my hips, I glide up and down slowly, holding his eyes. “Today, tomorrow, and every day after.” I touch my lips to his.
Bathing in his beautiful light.
The flash of possession in his eyes burns my insides. A low growl rumbles from his mouth as I pick up speed, the feel of his hands moving with precision over my body, encouraging my movements.
He pushes the straps of my dress off my shoulders, taking a hard nipple into his hot mouth.
Releasing my breast, he takes off his dress shirt then pulls the white undershirt over his shoulders, tossing it behind him. He lies down on the bed, and I lick my lips in appreciation.
“The view looks pretty good from
down here, too,” he murmurs, a wicked smile turning the corners of his delicious lips upward. “Ride me, Selena.” He lifts my dress. “Move those sexy hips, baby, and ride me.”
At first I don’t understand what he means, but then I think about how I ride a horse, it all clicks into place. Harboring a wicked smile of my own, I situate my knees on both sides of his hips, gaining more leverage. Then I move. Only this time with more purpose.
“That’s it. Just like that.” He lifts the front of my dress, watching as I take him inside of my body. I chance a look down too and the sight has me nearly falling apart. “I want to see your pretty cum dripping down my cock.”
His words serve as an accelerant, igniting something inside of me. Throwing away every last one of my inhibitions, I abandon the girl I am and embrace the woman I long to be.
I tighten around him, moaning his name as my release crashes over me in a tidal wave of pleasure. Pleasure born of passion and love.
Justin only gives me a mere moment to catch my breath before he’s holding my hips in place, slamming into me from below. His thumbs work to hold my dress in place, his eyes fixed on our connection. “Got my cock buried in you. Your sweet cum dripping down my balls, baby. You’re mine. You know that, right? All fucking mine.”
“Yours.”
“Damn right you are,” he says, shooting up from the bed to take my mouth. Then he stands up and spins us around, pinning me to the bed with his hips. He drives into me over and over, stealing every last breath and moan from my mouth with his own.
It makes me wonder if there is a limit to how much I can love this man, but I know there is not. My mother once told me there is no limit one can put on love.
Not even in death.
* * *
I wake up this morning with a clear head. More clear than I’ve ever been, it seems. Perhaps Justin has a lot to do with that. Or it is the awakening of my mind and body.
Leaving Justin to sleep, I get dressed and walk downstairs to make breakfast and put on a pot of coffee. I know Pop will be coming in from the stables soon to eat, and even though Justin and I are somewhat together, I still want to do my part around here. Truth be told, I enjoy taking care of the two men.