A wall of guilt hit her. Was this fate’s way of doling out its twisted payback? She hadn’t missed the name on the back of the boat—Kismet. What goes around, comes around, and she had the awful feeling cosmic justice was about to be delivered, making her pay for her brother’s sins.
Unless she could find a way off the huge boat. Jumping into the water and swimming back to shore might be her only option. She didn’t relish the idea, but she’d rather face deep, dark water and potential sharks than the Cardenas brothers.
As if her thoughts had conjured them, the door opened and the brothers walked inside. Their big, menacing presence madeher want to shrink away and cower, but she forced her shoulders back and met their lascivious looks head-on. No matter what happened, she refused to back down or give up. She would fight to the bitter end.
“I have a feeling we’re in for quite a sweet treat,” Manuel murmured, making her skin crawl.
Joaquín smirked then walked over, eyeing her from head to toe like a tiger ready to devour its prey. “Since my brother is older, you will marry him. But you should know, Estrella, we share everything.”
“To a certain extent.” Manuel moved up on her other side and caressed her cheek. Essie lurched away. “But I’ll be the one to claim your virginity.”
Now it was Essie’s turn to smirk. “Oh, that’s long gone,” she revealed demurely, enjoying how his smugness faded fast.
For a stunned moment, Manuel looked confused.
“I told you I had a feeling she wasn’t innocent,” Joaquín said. “But I don’t care.” He traced a finger down her arm. “She’s still very fuckable.”
“José promised me you hadn’t been with another man.” Manuel’s dark eyes narrowed, anger radiating off him. He’d been duped and didn’t appreciate it. Too bad for him.
She fought to keep a wicked smile from her face and decided to poke the bear. Maybe not her wisest decision, but one she wouldn’t allow herself to regret.
“I gave myself to Xander. Again and again and again,” she emphasized, hammering out each word as though remembering how it had been when he’d railed into her over and over. Dropping a hand, she covered her belly. “He fucked me so hard, so deep, so many times, I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m carrying his baby.”
The look that crossed Manuel’s face? Utterly priceless. Essie pressed her lips together to keep from deliriously laughing. Ifthey thought they could steal what she was unwilling to give them, they had another thing coming. She’d made a promise to herself to decide her own fate and not leave it in the hands of others. And by choosing to sleep with Xander, she’d done exactly that. It was the biggest “fuck you” she could have given them.
With a roar, Manuel slapped her hard across the face. “Fucking whore!”
The force of the blow sent her careening sideways, and she cried out, cupping her cheek.
“She opened her legs for that stupid American instead of you,” Joaquín said, voice low, feeding into his brother’s anger. Encouraging and provoking it. “Let me punish her.”
Essie straightened up, turning to face them. She needed to find a weapon fast. Something to defend herself.
“You’re going to pay for what you did,puta,” Manuel promised darkly. “When we’re done with you, you won’t be able to walk for days.”
Essie took a step back. Okay, maybe she’d gone too far. What if she really was pregnant? It definitely was a possibility, and now she’d just put herself and the baby in jeopardy.
“And if you’re with child, you won’t be for much longer.” Manuel grabbed her wrist, twisting it hard, dragging her against his taut body. Ripples of barely-contained fury vibrated through him. “If José thinks I’ll marry you now, he’s crazy. But I will keep you locked up as a fuck toy for me and my brother for the rest of your pathetic life.”
Joaquín produced a pair of red silk scarves from his pocket. “Let me tie her up for you,hermano. The bitch needs to learn who’s in charge.”
No! Absofuckinglutely not!
In a swift move, Essie slammed the edge of her palm upward and hit Manuel’s chin so hard his head snapped back. Caught by surprise, he released her wrist and stumbled back a step. Notwasting a single second, she took off, heading straight for a low black marble table where a heavy-looking sculpture sat. Swiping it up with a grunt, she prepared to swing it like a baseball bat.
Both brothers faced her. While Joaquín’s lips twitched in amusement, Manuel’s hands fisted at his sides.
“She definitely has spirit.” Joaquín smirked, seemingly enjoying the situation.
“I’m going to crush it,” Manuel swore.
“Let’s fuck it right out her.” The scarves fluttered in his grip, and Essie tightened her hands around the statue when they charged.
Putting all her strength behind the swing, she whipped the heavy statue at them. It careened through the air, and they dodged the blow far too easily and lunged for her. Essie screamed and tried to run, but she was no match for them. Joaquín grabbed her around the waist and hauled her back against his body. She didn’t miss his excitement, the way his chest rose and fell hard against her, his hot breath rustling her hair, and disgust tore through her.
“Please,” she whispered.
Manuel moved right in front of her, and she struggled to breathe, caught directly between both men. Terror went off inside her like a string of firecrackers.
