18
ANDRÉS
Leticia is anxious. That much, I can tell. Her teeth dig into her bottom lip as she stares out the window, watching the lights of the city pass her by.
She’s barely spoken since we left the estate, and I can see that already she’s doubting the decision she’s made.
There is no going back now. I won’t let her.
“No importa el costo,” I remind her.No matter the cost.Because if things go as planned, the cost will be high. I pray I’ll be able to pay it.
Without meeting my gaze, she nods.
We arrive at Spire, a club located on the edge of DeAnde territory. It’s strategically positioned to give the impression that it isn’t one of my establishments.
I’ve never made a public appearance here, nor have my brothers, so Castro had no reason to assume it was under my watch when I made the demand that he meet me here. Whether he shows up or not is another story.
The fucker better. And if he does, it won’t be up unarmed. But my men and I are ready. I have a dozen enforcers strategically placed throughout the club already, along with the eight men I brought with me from the estate.
Knowing Ruben, he’ll arrive with six to eight men of his own, giving me a clear advantage. Castro considers me nothing more than an ignorant boy, but I grew up fast. He’s about to see the man I’ve become. One who is formidable and capable of bringing him to his knees.
“Follow me,” I tell Leticia as I help her out of the vehicle. My brothers and our men close ranks around us, and we make our way inside. The overhead lights are low, and there are red under mount lights along the perimeter of the floor, casting the room in a burgundy glow.
Adrián and Rio take the lead, forging a path from one end of the club to the other as we make our way to the private room I have reserved that is set in the back. Leticia keeps her head bowed, shoulders tight. I wish I knew what she was thinking right now, but the music is too loud for me to ask. Pulling her closer to my side, I attempt to offer her what comfort I can, knowing that once Ruben arrives, she’ll have to stand on her own.
He can’t know what she means to me. Not truly. He needs to believe I’m taking her to spite him. Not to alleviate my obsession.
Parting the red velvet, we step into the back hallway, trailing deeper until we arrive at a heavy metal door. Pushing it open, we step into what is a large conference room with two large rectangular tables on either side.
Taking the table at the back, I position myself and Leticia at the center, with Adrián and Aztlán on either side of me. Rio stands guard just inside the door while the rest of my men take up positions, fanning out on my left and right.
No more than ten minutes go by before Rio signals that Ruben and his men have arrived.
Taking my seat, I pull Leticia into my lap, positioning her on my thigh. ”What are you doing,” she hisses. Squirming, she tries to stand, but my firm grip on her hips doesn’t allow it.
“Stop moving,” I warn.
The moment her father walks into the room, she stills. Without seeing her face, I know her skin has paled and that her eyes are wide.
Castro sneers at his daughter’s position, his upper lip curled in disgust. Stopping behind the other table, his men spread out around him, and I do a quick count in my head. There are six men with him who stand armed and ready. But there is another smaller man with round glasses perched on his nose who follows closely behind Ruben that looks out of place.
“Who's the norm?” I ask, pitching my voice low for only her ears.
“Doctor,” she whispers.
My brows furrow together. “Why would your father bring him?”
Her throat works, and she anxiously twists her hands on her lap. “To make sure I’m still intact.”
Sucking on my teeth, I eye this supposed doctor with disdain. His worried eyes flicker to mine, and I let him see the promise in my gaze. This is the man who was responsible for violating my woman. If I find him again without Castro's protection, he won’t be walking away.
He wilts under my gaze and takes a step back, bumping into Rio, who closes the door behind him.
“Qué quieres?”What do you want?Ruban snaps, now that everyone is settled.
“What I am owed.” I lean back in my seat, pulling Leticia against my chest and allowing him to see the possessive hold I have on his daughter.
His face darkens, hands fisting against the wood top of the table. He hasn’t taken his seat. Neither have his men. And from the look of things, he doesn’t plan to.
