Diego Vanessa finally comes downstairs wearing the dress I had Danny pick up for her. Her hair, now straightened, falls gracefully to her upper back. The dress is red, with spaghetti straps and a thigh-high slit. It's a bit shorter than the sundresses she usually wears, but still long enough to keep her comfortable. When we first met, she was repulsed by dresses because of the bullshit her father instilled in her, but at least that's one thing that has improved in our time together. We just have to work on everything else Nathan ruined. Even now that she hates the collar, it glimmers proudly around her neck. "You look beautiful, Mama," I murmur, giving her a small smile. She barely glances at me, her eyes distant, as if she's dissociating. "Sure, whatever," she mutters. The car ride to my club is filled with a tense silence. Vanessa sits against the door, her gaze fixed on the scenery passing by. I notice her breath hitching, and her body is trembling slightly in the s
Diego With a half hour until the auction starts, I show Vanessa into the backroom, where the women that signed up to be auctioned are getting ready to go on stage. My wife bristles at the sight of a room full of naked women, her discomfort palpable. it doesn't bother me—I see both naked men and women all the time, considering I run a large, very successful sex club. "Come on," I murmur gently, resisting the urge to touch her. One wrong move and I feel like she'll run out of here, and then she'll be fresh meat running into a room full of vultures—rich vultures ready to buy some high-quality meat. I don't want them thinking for a fucking minute that my wife is for sell. Vanessa stays close to my side, but the emotional distance between us feels vast. It's like we're in different worlds despite just being inches apart. I can sense her tension and fear, as if she still doesn't trust that I won't strip her naked and drag her out onto the stage. That's not even how this whole t
Vanessa The room falls silent as everyone takes their seats, signaling the start of the auction. From the back of the club, the naked women emerge and stride to the stage, standing in a line. My gaze lock on Nataliya, standing and front and center. She's a gorgeous woman with the body of a model. Her confidence draws the attention of every man in the room. Every man but Diego. I'm guessing, unlike the others, he sees enough naked women daily that he doesn't need to turn into a desperate, horny dog ready to hump someone's leg off. The thought of him seeing other women should probably make me jealous, but I'm just numb, unsure how to process my emotions anymore. I mean, I had been convinced that he was selling me today—that's how little faith I have left in his love for me. My stomach suddenly feels queasy, but I can't tell if it's because of the demon growing inside me, or this plan that Diego and Viktor plan to carry out tonight. Scanning the crowd, I notice Leo, Danny
Vanessa Nataliya finally goes to the highest bidder, an older, smug-looking man in an expensive suit. The auctioneer's gravel bangs down, sealing her fate. The room erupts in applause, the men congratulating the man as if he's won the lottery. Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it back down. It's almost over. It's almost over, I chant to myself, trying to calm my racing heart. Viktor sits down beside Diego. "Senator Joe Thomas bought her for ten mil. I get to kill the bastard once all of this is over, right?" he murmurs, his voice low and filled with restrained fury. "A deal is a deal," Diego responds, his tone cold and calculated. His hand remains over mine, reminding me to be patient. Within three months, we'll have the answers we need. Once the auction is over, the men gather in small groups, the building filled with loud talking and laughing. The man who won Nataliya, approaches us, her following behind him, still naked with a diamond collar and leash around her n
Vanessa "Vanessa, how have you been doing?" Camila asks cheerfully as she sifts through racks of expensive clothing. Today I agreed to go shopping with Diego's sister, a welcome distraction from everything else. I've picked up a several new dresses for myself, along with a few pairs of heels. I know it pleases Diego that I'm actually getting out of the house, and I have more than enough protection. Danny stands guard at the door of the boutique, while the rest of his team sit outside in vans, waiting to spring into action as needed. It's been two weeks since I started therapy, and things are gradually starting to get better. I'm finally confronting the grief of losing Alicia and one day, I may even be ready to talk about Nathan. My therapist, Dr. Drake, is well-acquainted with the mafia. I'm sure Diego wouldn't have chosen her otherwise. I have too much blood on my hands to confess my sins to a regular therapist. Despite the progress I've made, a gnawing worry still cli
Diego As I drive Vanessa to the airport, my hand rests on her knee, feeling grounded by the rare contact. I should be grateful she wants to get out of the estate and go to New York with Camila, but I can't shake the feeling that something could happen to her again. The idea of her being away from me fills me with unease. I won't be able to protect her from here, and that means I have to place all my trust in Danny to keep her safe. "I don't see why we had to take a separate car. You know, carpooling is better for the planet," Vanessa mutters, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. She's wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, looking both comfortable and breathtaking. She seems nervous, and I can't figure out why. I thought therapy was supposed to make things better between us, and in some ways it has, but it still feels like she's keeping herself at arm's length. "Am I not allowed to escort my beautiful wife to the airport?" I ask, keeping my tone calm despite the conflicti
Diego "It's nice to see you again, Celeste," I say, my voice low and threatening. I tilt my head slightly as I twirl the sharp blade between my fingers, fury and vengeance thrumming through my veins like a live wire. Before me, in my dimly lit basement, sits my stepmother, bound tightly to a chair. After months in hiding, Celeste finally slipped up, withdrawing money from one of the accounts we've been monitoring. We found her in Southern California, hiding in plain sight, confident that she would never be found. While I waited for them to deliver her, I went to the club and had a drink or two, preparing to face her again after she nearly killed my wife. She's obviously had some type of plastic surgery. She looks at least a decade younger, with short, blonde hair and bangs that make her look fucking ridiculous. Her lips, stained with blood, curl into a twisted smile as she locks eyes with me. "Diego," she spits out venomously. "How's that whore of a wife of yours?" My gr
Vanessa As soon as we arrive at the hotel and get settled in, Danny leaves the room to take a phone call. Camila and I will be sharing a room while Danny sleeps in the adjacent one connected to ours. This hotel is fancy, but I expected nothing less from Camila Reyes, my famous fashion designer sister-in-law. Maybe one day, I could even join her in Paris for one of her shows. "Thanks so much for doing this, Camila," I tell her with a faint smile, feeling a mixture of gratitude and anxiety. She flashes me a reassuring smile as she throws on a silk robe. "No problem at all, Vanessa. I'm happy you came to me for help." I can't believe how quickly she put everything together, from lying to her brother to arranging the fashion show tomorrow. And after that, I'll have an appointment with her gynecologist for the abortion. "How are you feeling right now?" she asks, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "Fine. Just tired, that's all," I murmur, climbing into my bed. It's onl
Vanessa This was a mistake. I thought I could do this, but how could I have been so wrong? "Eyes on me, mama," Diego growls, his voice low and commanding, yet laced with tenderness. "You're here with me. No one else. It's just us. Focus on the way I feel inside of you." I want to believe him, but my voice trembles as I whisper "I-I can't-" My eyes clamp shut, as if doing so could block out fear crashing over me in relentless waves, threatening to pull me under. What was I thinking? Of course, I can't do this. I shouldn't have even tried. Now, I'm disappointing both my husband and myself. Diego's voice slices through my thoughts like a knife. "You can do anything you put your mind to, mi amor. Focus on me. Ride me and take your pleasure. I know you can do it." His words are an anchor, pulling me from the abyss. I take a deep breath, my hands bracing against his chest as I start to move again, each roll of my hips a defiance against the darkness trying to reclaim me.
Vanessa After washing the remnants of Celeste's blood from my skin, Diego lifts me into his arms and carries me to bed. He gently lays down beside me, his warmth seeping into my body as I rest against his bare chest. "We don't have to talk about what happened tonight," Diego's voice is a low murmur as his fingers trace soothing patterns along my spine. "But how are you feeling?" I take a moment, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath me. "Good. How are you feeling?" I tilt my head to meet his gaze, seeking reassurance. The gravity of what I've just done hangs between us—killing his stepmother and revealing that I thought I was pregnant with his brother's baby. I didn't mean for it to come out like that, but Celeste needed to know just how much she had lost before I took her life. It felt so fucking good. Better than I anticipated, to end her life with my own hands, to see the light leave her eyes as I stole it away. The power and retribution was exhilaratin
Diego Vanessa turns to me, hurt and betrayal clouding her eyes. "Diego, you knew about this?" Shit."Yes," I reply without hesitation. I've known since Alicia was first abducted, but I didn't want her to harbor ill feelings toward her sister. Not while she's still mourning her. "See? As the collar around your neck implies, you are nothing but a pet to him. A piece of ass like your mother."Vanessa's head snaps back to her, and in an instant, she holds the blade to Celeste's throat. "I'd shut your fucking mouth if I were you," she hisses. I can tell it's exactly what Celeste wants. If Vanessa gets angry enough to just slit her throat, she won't have to endure torture anymore. Vanessa must see through it too. She lowers the knife, shaking her head. "I won't let you go out the easy way. It isn't fair to everyone you've hurt," she says quietly. "Vete a la mierda (fuck you)," Celeste spits.As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Vanessa drives the knife into her bound hand. Celes
Diego "Are you sure about this, Mama?" I ask, zipping up the back of her leather jumpsuit, my fingers lingering longer than necessary. She looks so fucking sexy in this. The smooth, black material hugs her curves, and knowing she's about to kill my stepmother makes it nearly impossible to fight a hard-on. Her grey eyes gaze back at me through the mirror. "You already said I could," she points out, her voice steady and unwavering. "I know, just wanted to make sure." When she turns around, I study her face for any flicker of uncertainty. Instead, I find only determination. I should feel fucking ecstatic that she's going to kill my biggest traitor and the bitch that made my childhood hell, but worry gnaws at me. I fear this might bring Vanessa more nightmares, or worse, trap her in her own head again. But I also have so much faith in her. Danny couldn't protect her while he was dying. I got the report from my men: twelve men were taken out, most of them by her alone. My feisty mama.
Vanessa"Your mamá called looking for you. What do you want me to tell her?" Diego interrupts, pulling me into his lap in the chair beside Camila's sleeping form. His mom? I've never heard Danny mention her before. I wasn't even aware he had family, since they haven't visited him. Danny's response catches me off guard. "Don't tell her shit. She'll have a heart attack.""Wait, you're not going to tell your mom you technically died and you're in the hospital?" I ask incredulously. "Nah, she actually might come try to kill Jefe, and I doubt she wants to mess with you. I realize you're kinda loco, Nessa.""Me?" I point to myself. "Yes, or did you forget that you took down what had to be like ten men by yourself?""Oh, I guess that's true," I muse. "But that was only out of desperation. I don't think I could do something like that if our lives didn't depend on it.""I believe you could," Diego purrs in my ear. I shudder at the compliment, making him laugh. "Why would she come after hi
VanessaDressed in all black, Diego and I stand side by side, silently watching the expensive coffin lower into the freshly dug grave. The sight is somber, but the weight of the occasion presses harder on my chest than the physical cold of the day. Diego had assured me that I wasn't required to attend this funeral, just like the four others. It's only been a week since Danny's entire team was murdered, and I feel compelled to pay my respects to each of them. These men sacrificed their lives to protect me. The least I can do is say goodbye to them.I've never spoken to Julio personally, but the sight of his wife and two little children crying over his grave breaks my heart. The raw grief on their faces is a reminder that I'm still alive while a husband and father is gone forever. He's another name added to the long list of those I feel responsible for letting down. After offering my condolences to Julio's family, Diego and I make our way to the hospital. In the town car, Diego sits b
Vanessa "Camila! Danny!" I scream, my voice barely audible over the chaos. Danny's the first to reach me, pulling me to my feet. His face was pale, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. "Are you okay?" he demands, his hands gripping my shoulders. "My head hurts, but I'm okay I think," I reply, trembling from the shock. We both turn to see Camila stumbling to her feet, looking dazed but otherwise unharmed. Danny rushes to her side, helping her up and checking her for injuries. "Are you okay, Camila?" he asks, his tone urgent. "Yeah, what the fuck just happened?" she shouts, her voice shaking with fear. "We need to get you both back to the SUV, now," Danny commands, his tone brooking no argument. As we step towards the vehicle, gunfire erupts, and Danny grunts, clutching his bleeding shoulder. "Fuck, come on," he hisses through gritted teeth. He grabs both of us by our arms and guides us behind another jet. Grabbing his gun from the holster, he orders us to st
Vanessa "I want you home now," my husband's voice crackles through the speaker, filled with anger and concern. "I told you, I'm safe. Besides, it's pouring buckets outside. I don't feel safe flying home in this storm," I insist, trying to keep my voice calm despite the nerves knotting in my stomach. It feels like we spoke the bad storm into existence last night. After leaving the doctor's house, we barely made it back to the hotel before the downpour, lightning, and thunder hit. Even Camila's fashion show was canceled and postponed to next weekend. Diego's frustration seeps through the phone. "I refuse to lose you again, Mama. The second this storm lets up, Danny will have you on a jet back here." "You know what, I'm going to come get you and my sister right now," he grits out, his voice lowering to a dangerous growl. "Diego, stop. You know Danny wouldn't allow anything to happen to us. You trust him, right?" I try to reassure him, though I know he won't calm down unt
Vanessa "Where's Diego?" I grit out, rage boiling in my veins. "I want to speak with him." "Busy at the moment, but he said he'll call once we're back on the jet." Which means he's likely torturing her. "Well, like Camila said, it's nearly midnight. We can leave tomorrow," I argue, defiance lacing in my tone. Danny fixes me with a pointed look. "Do you really want to argue with him about that?" I have to. Time is slipping away. I'm more afraid of continuing this pregnancy than I am of Celeste and whatever sinister plans she's concocted. I tap my right arm where the microchip is embedded. "I have a tracking device in my arm and more security than the goddamn president. I'll be fine. Just tell him we'll leave tomorrow, and you'll be sure to keep us extra safe." He scowls, clearly torn. "I'm not promising him that." "I know you heard what I said, that I have something important to take care of here tomorrow. Can you please come up with an excuse to buy me more time?"