Bringing her hand to my lips, I kiss her delicate flesh. “I want you to know that while this is a good match for both of us, I’m not marrying you only for the sake of duty.” My throat tightens as my words stick. I’ve never uttered them aloud before. “I want you, Elena. I’ve wanted you foryears. You’re the love of my life and the only woman that I could ever?—”
“Liar!” She tears her hand out of mine and sidesteps to get away. “Don’t manipulate my feelings just to get what you want. You don’t care about me at all. I’m just another pawn in your ruthless game. We both know that’s the truth. Don’t insult my intelligence by pretending otherwise.” Cheeks blazing red, fists shaking, she darts from my office.
“Elena—” I stand in the doorway, frowning as she disappears down the stairs. Her bedroom door slams shut.
Frustrated, I bang the side of my fist against the doorframe. Why can I never do anything right when it comes to her? If I’m cold and rational, giving her an order, she rebels against me. If I’m open and heartfelt she calls me a liar. Is there no winning with this woman?
I’m willing to give her anything she wants, anything at all. Except… The one thing she wants is the one thing I can’t give her: Her freedom from me.
Even if I could, I wouldn’t because she’s not safe out in the world on her own. She can’t escape the life she was born into. She’s a fool for trying. If she keeps this up, she’s going to get herself hurt. I need to protect her from herself, even if she doesn’t like it. Even if she hates me for it.
Elena, the shy, quiet young woman who never left Aunt Antonia’s house, intrigued me. The first time I met her, Ithought she was pretty, but the world’s full of pretty girls. It was the vulnerability in her soft grey eyes that drew me in.
Then it was the story I heard about how she was kidnapped in Manhattan, held captive by an enemy to stop a wedding, then released, a changed woman. One who was so terrified of the world, of other people, that her sister finally sent her here to recover from her trauma, while the sister and her husband hunted down those who did this to Elena.
At first, I couldn’t tell if she was strong or broken. Or a mix of both. All I knew was she never set foot outside that house. She refused to go to the market with Aunt Antonia. The days I came by, I always spotted her in the window of her room on the second floor, her nose in a book.
Then one day, about three months after she arrived, it rained.
I cursed as cold raindrops dripped down the back of my neck. I was on my way to Aunt Antonia’s house to check for leaks in the roof. Yes, I could have sent someone else to do it, but I was itching for another glimpse at the strange creature who lived there. The only way to see her was to get inside the house, since she never came out. The place could be on fire and she'd rather burn than venture into the street.
As I rounded the corner, spotting the house up ahead, a crouched figure caught my attention. Her long, dark auburn hair was unmistakable.
I stopped to watch. She sat on the threshold at the front door, dangerously close to actually leaving the house. What on earth was she doing? Then I saw it. In the middle of the street a tiny kitten mewed. The poor little thing was drenched.
Elena cooed at it, trying to call it to her, but it wouldn't budge.
I was about to step into the street and scoop up the small creature, when Elena stood up, hovering one foot out the door. So I sank into the shadows where she couldn't see me.
She glanced up and down the deserted road. Everyone else in the neighborhood remained indoors where they’re warm and dry. Then her bare foot touched the cobble stone. Even from here, I could see the way her body shook, her eyes round with fear.
She darted into the street, quick as lightning, and snatched up the crying kitten. Holding it close, she disappeared back into the house.
I waited in my hidden spot for several moments, taking in what I saw and the meaningfulness behind it. This girl who’s terrified of the world just rescued a drenched, lost kitten. For the briefest of moments, she overcame her fear to save that little creature. Why? It’s not even her cat.
As it turned out, it was the neighbor's kitten and had somehow gotten out that day. Elena reluctantly returned it to them.
But her bravery stuck with me, it struck a chord deep within my soul. From that day on, she became my growing obsession.
CHAPTER 15
Elena
Aknock sounds on my door. It’s late morning and I’ve been awake for hours, but refuse to leave this room until Maximo has left for the day. I know he has work to do. He can’t babysit me in his home all day long. Why won’t he just leave a guard outside and go about his business? I can’t bear the thought of facing him again. Not after what happened in his office.
He’s forced this engagement on me, and put this stupid pink diamond ring on my finger. The ring that now sits in my nightstand drawer. I took it off as soon as I hid in here, unable to even look at the thing without having a meltdown.
My life feels like a runaway train and I’m not sure how to stop it. This can’t be happening to me, yet everywhere I look proves that it is, in fact, where my future’s headed.
“Elena, I’m not leaving until you come out and have something to eat.” His voice carries through the thick wood of my door. “I made waffles. There’s even strawberry syrup.”
My stomach growls, and I groan. Yesterday I didn’t eat much. Besides, even if I had, waffles with strawberry syrup are my favorite and I’d be more than happy to eat one no matter how stuffed I am.
The knock comes again. “Breakfast is getting cold. Come out. I even heated up the syrup…”
I glare at the door. Maximo somehow knows they’re my favorite. He’s using that knowledge as a weapon against me.
I hate him. Yes, I let him touch me. I kissed him. But I can still hate him.
