Chapter 10: Make a Call

SEVASTIAN 

Celestina stepped closer, her slender fingers touching the ropes binding my wrists. 

I watched her warily, the fire in her dark eyes a warning. 

She was about to loose the knot when she suddenly froze, her movements came to halt as if second thoughts whispered in her ear. 

Slowly, she straightened, creating a purposeful distance between us. 

“I was about to free you,” She spoke evenly, her tone calm yet charged with quiet authority. 

“But then I realized, what guarantee do I have that you’ll actually behave, mio caro?” Her words hung in the air like a challenge. 

I glared at her, my eyes narrowing into sharp slits as she stood there calm and unshaken, that made my blood boil.

Her presence felt like a taunt, every inch of her radiating confidence while I sat helpless. 

I yanked against the restraints, my wrists aching as the bonds dug into my skin. 

My muscles tensed with the effort, and the ropes dug into my skin, burning as I fought them, but I didn’t care. 

Pain didn’t matter, getting free did.

She tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips as if amused by my resistance.

“You can keep trying,” she said, her voice smooth and mocking. “But those ropes aren’t going anywhere, I tied them myself.”

“Good to know,” I spat, the words laced with warning. “That means I’ll know exactly who to blame when I get out of this.”

Her smirk widened, her eyes glinting with mischief. 

“If you get out of this,” she corrected, stepping closer. The faint click of her heels echoed in the silent room, each step was a taunt wrapped in elegance.

Her smirk widened, her eyes glinting with a dangerous light. “If you get out of this,” she corrected, stepping closer. 

I didn’t respond. 

Instead, I leaned forward as far as the ropes would allow, my glare locked firmly. “Is this your idea of fun, mia cara? Or are you just looking for ways to get under my skin?”

She crouched down, her face now level with mine. Her fingers brushed the arm of the chair lightly, as if she had all the time in the world. 

“Maybe both,” she said softly, her tone almost teasing. “But mostly, I like seeing you like this. Out of control and vulnerable.”

“Vulnerable?” I let out a harsh laugh, the sound low and bitter. “If you think this is vulnerable, you don’t know me at all.”

“Maybe you're right,” she replied, her hands placed on my chest. “But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re helpless,” Her warm palm glided gently over my chest.

She reached into my jacket pocket, her nimble fingers pulling out my phone.

My jaw tightened as she turned it over in her hands, inspecting it like it was some kind of trophy.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, my tone low and dangerous.

Ignoring my question, she raised the phone in front of me. 

“You’re going to make a call,” she said, her voice sharp with authority. “Tell your men that I, Celestina Valeztina-Ortega, your wife must be respected as they respect you and follow my commands as they follow yours.”

I clenched my jaw, giving her a glare sharp enough to cut steel. “You’re awfully cocky for someone playing with fire,” I said coldly. “You think you can teach me how to run my world?”

Her lips curved into a sarcastic smile, but her eyes burned with dark determination. 

“I don’t think, dear,” she said, her tone mocking. “I know things you don’t know.”

My anger flared. “I think you forgot your place, you’re nothing but my wife. A title, a tool, and nothing more.” I said, pressing every word. 

“You may act tough now because you’ve tied me up, but don’t fool yourself. If I were free, you’d already be on your knees, choking on my mercy.” I added, giving her a last warning. 

Her expression darkened, and for a moment, silence crackled between us. Then, she let out a cold, sarcastic laugh that echoed in the room. 

“Of course, in brute strength, you win, dear. That’s no surprise. You’re a man who’s used to relying on power to get his way.” She leaned in closer, her face inches from mine, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “But when it comes to brains, darling, I’m far ahead of you.” Her lips brush the side of my lips.

“It will be now, tomorrow,  and always will be.” Then she straightened, the mocking smile returning to her lips, daring to provoke my patience even more. 

My fists clenched behind me, and I felt again the ropes digging into my skin tightly. 

For the first time in a long time, someone had managed to rile me, not with fear or submission, but with audacious confidence. 

And it wasn’t fun anymore, it’s raging me up to punish her. 

Celestina’s mocking smile lingered as she spun my phone between her fingers. She raised an eyebrow, audaciously asking me to argue further.

“Make the call, Sevastian,” she ordered, her tone icy. “Or stay tied up and watch me do it myself. Either way, your men will learn that I’m not just your wife, but rather far stronger than their boss, who’s now captivated and tied up by a Valeztina”

I glared at her, my jaw tightening. “You’re delusional if you think I’ll let you do it.”

Her laughter was sharp, cutting through the room. “Delusional? No, Sevastian. Just smarter than you.” She leaned down, her eyes piercing. “You can fight me all you want, but you’ll lose. The moment you underestimated me, I already won.” 

The anger roared through me like wildfire, hot and consuming. The nerve of her, making demands, playing games, thinking she could control me, and my men. 

It was hard enough to keep my emotions in check when I had to deal with Carson’s schemes, but now this? Celestina was pushing me to my limits, and I couldn’t ignore the bitter suspicion creeping up my spine.

I clenched my jaw, every muscle in my body coiled with frustration. 

Could she really be this naive? Or was she plotting something under Carson's command? 

The way she made that demand, the way she manipulated me, it didn’t sit right. She wanted the Ortega men to treat her like me? To obey her?

From the very beginning I realized this son of a bitch, Carson, had it all planned out. He’d used his own daughter, Celestina, to worm her way into the Ortega's operations, infiltrating my men and business. 

If this was part of a larger plan to weaken my position and force me to kneel before him, I wouldn’t stand for it.

“You think you can control me? Is that what your damn father taught you?” I spat, angrily. “To order my men around like they’re your personal servants? And then what? To steal and ruin my business?” I added, as my jaw tightens. 

Celestina stood there, her head tilted slightly, unfazed by the storm I was brewing. She didn't even flinch at the sharpness in my tone. 

“I’m not trying to control you, Sevastian,” she replied, her expression remaining as cold and unyielding as a stone wall. “I’m simply making it clear that I’m not some weak woman you can push around. I am your wife, and I’m fucking want to stand beside you to protect you from my father’s scheme.”

I was stunned for a moment. I look into her eyes, searching for lies and scheme but I didn’t see anything.