I smooth my hand down my hip, admiring the pantsuit that I’m wearing. It’s black and simple, but shows my curves just right. The only jewelry I’m wearing are the diamond earrings, and the five-carat, engagement ring with a matching diamond wedding band that now adorn my left finger.
As I gaze at myself in the mirror, I feel like I’ve finally figured out who I really am. The last two years have been very eye opening, and certainly challenging. However, Nikolas and I came out of it unscathed, and we are stronger than ever now.
“There’s my sexy wife,” I hear Nikolas say as he enters the bathroom connected to our bedroom.
I turn and smile. He looks handsome as ever in a black, button-up shirt and black pants. We’re dressed similarly tonight, but not on purpose. Nikolas has always preferred the colors black and blue. I lean towards red and white. But tonight, I’m making a statement.
I reach up and run my hand through his hair, fixing the strand that was out of place from my fingers gripping his head a mere fifteen minutes earlier. I’d almost been completely dressed when he’d entered the bathroom and hauled me up onto the counter, screwing me senseless. I brush my thumb across his lower lip, wiping a faint smear of red lipstick. “You should have cornered me before I put my makeup on,” I tease.
“What’s the fun in that.” He pulls me close, his hands cupping my butt. “Still wet from me?” he growls, nipping my ear.
“Uncomfortably so, but it’s too late to change.”
“They can wait.”
I pull back and give him a look. “I’ve worked hard to secure my place.”
He smiles with pride. “You’re a force to be reckoned with, and they won’t know what hit them tonight.”
“We should go.”
He nods. “The limo is ready.”
We leave the bathroom and make our way downstairs to the foyer. Santos is waiting for us, and he gives me a brief nod in greeting before we step outside and head for the limo.
A moment later, we are making our way down the driveway. Sergio and Tomàs are up front, and Santos is seated with us. I gaze out my window and think about the last two years.
I got my degree and eventually took over the accounting for not only Nikolas’s finances, which became ours once we were married, but also for the club and the cartel. Nikolas knows exactly where every penny goes, and I find the cartel business challenging—so it’s never dull.
Nikolas began introducing me to more and more of his contacts and gradually brought me into the business upon my request. It wasn’t long after we’d moved in together that I’d realized I loved him. I wasn’t the first to confess it though, Nikolas was. When I realized that there was no doubt in my mind that we were meant to be, I made the decision to embrace the cartel.
Santos was correct when he’d claimed the violence would be minimal. There hasn’t been anything alarming on a large scale that would affect us since the cocktail lounge shooting. So making a place for myself alongside Nikolas hasn’t been as dangerous as I’d assumed it would be. It also helps that he tries to avoid violence, and if there are minor issues, he’s careful to make certain I don’t know about them—which suits me just fine.
I love with everything that I am, and I know that at any moment a mistake could be made, and Nikolas could be ruined and end up in prison. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to keep track of the cartel’s money. This way, I could control my concerns, because I was the one protecting him and those that are connected through the cartel. If Nikolas goes down, I’m going down with him.
Of course, some of his associates were less than thrilled. In response to this, Nikolas made it clear early on that they either had to change their views on women in the business, or get out. We were becoming a package deal, and wisely, the grumblings lessened, and I was accepted.
Tonight, is poker night.
I’ve always considered it Nikolas’s time to socialize with the other men, but he proudly mentioned that he’d like to watch me clean the table. Like Nikolas, I enjoy a good challenge. So tonight, we’re hosting poker night in the club’s private room. After the shooting at the cocktail lounge, poker games are now planned only twenty-four hours prior. And never on the same weeknight as the last.
My eyes shift to Nikolas, and I find him watching me. There’s a simmering heat in his gaze, and I give him an answering smile.
“For Christ’s sake, save that shit for later,” Santos grumbles.
His complaint is more amusing than offending. It took a year for him to finally warm up to me and realize that we both love Nikolas, so we’re on the same team. I’ve also proven I’m not going anywhere, so he has no reason to doubt my intentions further. He does a lot of grumbling around us when we’re together, but I know it comes from a place of affection.
“Get laid during the game so that we don’t have to deal with your grumpy ass on the way home later,” Nikolas tells him.
Santos just moodily stares back at him.
I hide a smile. Santos has been seeing a pretty, little blonde at the club for the past six months, and I know they’re getting serious. The fact that Santos won’t talk about her, not even to Nikolas, proves that things are progressing. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before she’ll become a steady presence at the estate.
As I gaze at the two men, I feel content and a sense of belonging. Nikolas happens to catch my eye, and the glint within them tells me that he’s going to enjoy tonight, and then when we get home, he’s going to enjoy me.
I’m right where I want to be, and I’m glad that I listened to my instincts and allowed them to lead me to Nikolas.
Please take a moment and consider leaving a review. It’s very much appreciated and will also help others decide if they would like to read Catalina and Nikolas’s journey. For further updates about upcoming novels, you can visit www.facebook.com/DaniMatthews,author.
SPIDER'S WEB Page 21