‘Don’t show weakness, Liana.’
Two guards I don't recognize wait for me downstairs in the foyer. Neither speaks as they escort me to a waiting SUV, their faces impassive. They're not Frankie's normal men…I know all of their faces by now. These are strangers, and their presence only adds to my growing anxiety.
"Where are we going?" I ask nervously, though I already know the answer.
"Rehearsal dinner," the taller one replies, his voice flat and emotionless. "Santiago Sanchez's instructions are to deliver you directly to the venue."
‘Deliver me. Like I’m a package.’
The thought makes me scowl as I step into the SUV and the door shuts behind me.
The drive passes in silence and I watch the lights blur past my window, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. I press my fingers against my side, feeling the slight ridge of my datura tattoo beneath the fabric of my dress. It’s the only way I can think of to calm myself and the raging storm of emotions inside my head.
Maybe I should’ve known the restaurant would look like this. It’s sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows. The windows are bright with the golden lights from inside…too bright. It’s almost intimidating, the way it glows against the night. My steps slow as I catch sight of the entrance, lined with security. All of them scanning every single person who gets too close to the entrance. My stomach lurches when it hits me that the entire place is shut down and reserved just for us. There will be no casual dinner tonight. Just this event and whoever’s important enough to be here. I’m not sure why I’m even surprised. I'm slowly learning that this family is much bigger and more important than I ever knew.
"Ready?" the guard asks, opening my door.
‘No. I'm not ready. I'll never be ready.’
I want to scream my thoughts in his face but I know he wont give a damn so I nod anyway, because what choice do I really have? I follow them towards the entrance where the security immediately parts and I can feel dozens of eyes watching me from every direction. There is a hush of silence making me want to crawl under a rock and hide. The moment I step inside, noise hits me, and a small sense of relief when no one is watching me like they were outside.
Laughter, conversation and the clink of glasses echo around the room. It’s filled with strangers in expensive suits and designer dresses, diamonds glinting at throats and wrists under the warm lighting. Now this I can do. This doesn’t feel much different from the parties I attended back home. I plaster on a small smile, wishing for a familiar face as I scan the crowd. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t secretly wishing for Frankie. He's not here, though and my heart sinks when I see the familiar faces of other guards stationed at each doorway. Why isn’t he here? The realization that he might not want to see me makes me feel suddenly, terribly alone.
"Ah! Here she is!"
A loud voice cuts through my panic making me jump and I spin to find a familiar man approaching. Santiago Sanchez spreads his arms wide in welcome and pulls my stiff body against his. There’s something unnerving about him even though he is being so welcoming. Maybe it’sbecause I know now that he is the head of this very dangerous cartel I am being married into. My cousin's warning echoes inside of my head as I take him in with a small smile on my face. His hair is perfectly styled and his suit is crisp. An expensive watch glitters on his wrist, catching my eye as he waves his hand around at the surrounding guests.
"My beautiful daughter-to-be," he says, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You look stunning tonight, mija."
"Thank you," I manage, the words sticking in my throat.
"Come, come. You must meet everyone. The family is so excited to finally welcome you properly."
‘The family? Does that mean Rio is here?’
His hand at the small of my back guides me through the crowd. I feel like a zoo animal on display as he introduces me to business associates whose names I know I won’t remember. Each one studies me with the same appraising look, as if assessing the value of his investment. It makes me wonder how much these people know about me. Do they know I was basically traded like cattle? That I’m being forced to marry to uphold a contract between families? Do they even care? No one back home would bat an eye. For them, this would all be a normal every day occurrence.
"And here," Santiago says, breaking me from my thoughts as he steers me toward a group near the bar, "are my other sons. You've met Diego, of course."
Diego nods at me, that same amused look on his face that I remember from our drive to meet my cousins. Beside him stand another man who shares the same strong jawline and broad shoulders. He also looks familiar and it hits me. I’ve seen them around the property with Frankie.
"Leo," Santiago indicates the taller one, who gives me a lazy smile that reminds me unnervingly of a predator sizing up its prey.
"Welcome to the family, little sister," Leo drawls, taking my hand and bringing it to his lips.
His eyes never leave mine as he kisses my knuckles, and I resist the urge to wipe my hand on my dress afterward. All of these men are handsome with a deadly air surrounding them.
"And this is Nicci, my daughter," Santiago adds as a striking woman approaches.
Nicci Sanchez is breathtaking, with short dark hair, bright green eyes and full lips painted a deep crimson. She looks like she walked straight off the cover of Vogue. She also looks just as deadly as her brothers. She studies me from head to toe, her gaze so penetrating I feel like she can see straight through to every secret I'm hiding. I fidget with the seam of my dress and her eyes immediately snap to my fingers, making me pause.
"So," she says finally, a smile spreading across her face that sends chills up my spine. "You're the woman who will tame my brother? Interesting."
The comment hangs in the air, loaded with some meaning I can't decipher. Everyone else laughs except me but before I can respond, Diego steps forward, placing a hand on his father's shoulder.
"Let me take over the introductions, Father," he says smoothly. "I'm sure you have other guests to greet."
Santiago hesitates, then nods, patting my cheek in a gesture that feels more possessive than affectionate before moving away. Nicci turns back towards me, her eyes still assessing my every move.
