Catalina POVAfter going through a side exit, presumably to avoid getting caught at checkpoints since I was technically 'stolen goods,' we arrived at a sleek gray Porsche. I was surprised that we didn't have to navigate through a million different secret passageways to get here. I was expecting my papa's lesson that it's always easier to get into things, than out. Oh, was he so wrong about this one. I wasn't even here a few days and I already was out of that hellhole. However, I wasn't in the clear yet. This man, although it didn't quite seem like it, could be my next worst nightmare. Only time would tell.He walked over to the passenger side of his speedy gray sport's car, the color matching the peppered tints in his long, brunette hair. I'd never met a man his age—at least early forties I assumed—who had such majestic hair. I guess I was used to bald heads like my father.My new owner had his hand on the door, yet he stopped midway from opening it and began undre
Catalina POV"How do you know my father?" I asked, my voice shaky at the sound of my papa's name. Matias continued driving, and still, there was no house in sight. I should have been more nervous about being alone with this man, heading down a shrouded driveway with foliage all around us, but I was more concerned with his mention of my papa."Business partners," Matias stated plainly. His answer was so vague, but I knew men in the mafia always spoke in generalities. "Care to elaborate?" I pressed."How about once we get inside?" He looked over at me and gave a friendly smile, one that didn't rouse any uneasy feeling in me.Moments later, we arrived out from under the trail of darkness, and staring me directly in the eyes was an estate house, one that sprawled further than my vision could take in without rotating my head."Welcome to mi casa," Matias chuckled as he parked the car in front of the mansion which looked to be ninety-five percent glass, a
Catalina POV"Good morning, Miss Zuleta," Matias greeted nonchalantly. "GOOD MORNING?! This is how you greet your guests?" I cupped my hand and submerged it below the water and quickly threw it at him to make him step away.He didn't even flinch."We agreed on 8:00," he reminded me sternly. "I don't like being late.""Well, I'm sorry, but if you didn't notice, I can't get ready until you get out of the room!" I quickly turned around to grab a towel that I had placed on the edge of the bathtub last night, using my hand to try and cover my most vulnerable areas, which he'd already seen.I wrapped the towel, quickly, to cover my midsection from my breasts to my thighs, but my hair was dripping wet since there were no more towels nearby."Would you like another towel?" Matias offered. I was already annoyed with being encroached upon in my room. Well, his room, but still, the space he'd designated for me!"You think this is funny?" I spat out, glarin
Catalina POV"Why did you bring her here, Mateo?"Mateo? Wasn't his name Matias? Also, 'her?' I have a name!"Papa," I breathed, but my heart dropped when I saw his expression. He looked sickly, pale, and gaunt. It seemed like he hadn't eaten in days."Long time no see, Rodri," Matias… Mateo?... greeted Papa. He extended his hand for a handshake, but my papa wouldn't return the gesture.I just wanted to burst through the doorway, and go home; I wanted to give Papa a hug and have him tell me everything was just a big misunderstanding. I just wanted to sleep in my own bed again. But, Papa wouldn't let us in.Matias retracted his arm and remarked, "I came here to return your daughter." His voice was much more firm than it had been when he initially greeted my father."I can't take her back," Papa muttered. My face was starting to redden. Why was he treating me like a beggar? Why wasn't he taking his only daughter back… the daughter who he promised
I stood on my tippy-toes, the sand blanketing my feet, and met his parted lips. At that moment, I expected him to pull away—to be caught off guard—but he didn't. He returned my kiss but didn't deepen it like I had hoped.Matias placed one hand on the middle of my back and pulled me closer to him, only to open his mouth more, but not to kiss, rather to speak."Call me Mateo," he whispered, the feeling of his warm breath resting on my lips as his eyes pointed down at mine. His brown orbs, which looked more like a deeper cinnamon, had changed under the sun's rays, and they appeared softer, more like the color of the sand beneath us."Why not Matias?" I tossed back, and I narrowed the space between our lips again. I tasted notes of bergamot and mint as I worked my tongue around his mouth. The flavors were mildly tart with an aftertaste of sweetness, followed by an invigorating spearmint that awakened all of my senses.I felt the pressure from his hand strengthen
**Mateo POV"Alpha," my Beta, Win, greeted me as I entered his boxing ring with the two girls, Arena and her best friend. "I told you, just call me Matias, Win. It's okay," I reassured him.Win approached me and motioned me aside. He whispered in my ear and admitted, "I know, but I thought with your two prospects here I should show them you're at the top of the food chain."I couldn't control my laughter. "Win, these ladies aren't interested in joining the pack." I spoke so that Arena and her friend could hear."I see." Win took a step back. A waft of mustiness from his sweaty figure entered my nostrils. He was in the middle of training when I called him. Arena's friend's eyes had been on Win's toned abs since we walked in, but he didn't know that. If he did, he'd just try and show off in the boxing ring."So, ladies, what brings you in here today?" Win addressed the two women."We don't exactly know either." I saw Arena give a curious look to her fr
**Arena POV"Can I at least change out of this outfit first?" I asked as Mateo latched onto my arm. I wanted to change out of my boxing garb.He shook his head. "We're already running late." Running late for something I wasn't privy to."And we're just leaving Miriam here?" I followed up."Well, it seems the two of them have some chemistry between them, doesn't it?" Mateo raised his eyebrow.I tilted my head over my shoulder and looked at Miriam whose hand was dangerously close to Win's abs. Surely, she wasn't going to touch them, was she?My attention was pulled when I felt Mateo's arm let go of me, as he moved it around the back of my neck. We were walking past a group of shirtless boxers, and it seemed that Mateo wanted every man to know who I belonged to.The sea of men parted and all of them tilted their heads down as we walked past. "Thank you, gentleman," Mateo declared as we made our way out of Win's Boxing Club.His Land Rover was
**Arena POVWith the dress in hand, he brought me home, telling me to be ready at 7:00pm sharp. Knowing Mateo, I made sure I'd be ready at 6:55pm and waiting at the front door.I managed to secure a nap for a few hours in between arriving home from dress shopping and leaving for dinner. I also enjoyed a relaxing bath in the reverse osmosis bathtub again, this time making sure to lock the door and not to fall asleep.There was about an hour left before my deadline to meet Mateo at the door, so I figured I could take my time getting ready, doing some basic makeup, and putting on the dress.But then my plan was interrupted by a call from Miriam. Momentarily, I felt guilty that I hadn't checked in on her earlier. Win seemed like a good guy, being Mateo's Beta and all, so I kind of let it slip my mind."Sorry, I completely—" I started, but Miriam interrupted me."Don't be sorry, Cat…or should I call you Arena? Well, you've always been Cat to me so I don't think