Page 11 of Dark Reunion

He stood near the staircase, flanked by two guards, a smile that made her skin crawl firmly in place. He dismissed a maid with a flick of his fingers, then turned his full attention to Yasmine. The hair stood on the back of her neck as he sauntered closer.

“Ah, mi preciosa,” he drawled, his gaze sliding from Yasmine’s face to the baby on her hip. “You grow more beautiful every day. Even captivity cannot dim a jewel like you.”

It took every ounce of self control not to jump away as he reached out and slid a finger down Yasmine’s cheek. He cupped her chin as if they were lovers, and her stomach rolled, flipped, and suddenly she was no longer hungry.

Forcing her expression to remain neutral, she lowered her gaze just enough to be respectful, “Señor, it is lovely to see you again,” she said, wanting to gag on the words.

The boys pressed close, sensing the shift in air. Isabella squirmed.

Carlos let go of Yasmine’s chin and she lifted her gaze to his. There was something terribly wrong with his eyes. There was a flatness to them that emitted evil in a way she’d never seen before. He stepped closer, deliberately invading her space and forcing her to choose whether to retreat or stand her ground.

Yasmine held firm.

Leaning in closer, he breathed in and a shiver skittered like a small animal down her spine. “Mercurio chose well. You burn brighter than any woman I have ever met. Such fire. Such…spirit.” His gaze lingered on her mouth, then lowered to her breasts. “I bet you’re the same way between the sheets. A screamer no doubt.”

Her stomach knotted, but she didn’t move. Didn’t flinch, that was what he wanted.

“My children don’t need to hear your compliments, Señor,” she said softly, her voice steady even as her palms dampened with sweat.

He chuckled low. “Your children? They are mine as much as they are yours. Blood carries, even in my son’s denial. There is no escaping it.” He gave her a salacious look, his eyes not bothering to hide exactly what he was thinking. “Besides, it is never too soon to start teaching the next generation about the appetites of men and pleasures of a woman.”

“On the contrary,” she said, her voice calm but edged like glass. “They’ll grow up learning exactly what kind of man to never become—and what kind of woman never bows, breaks, or begs for vial men. I find that a far more fitting lesson for the next generation than indulging the twisted cravings of old men grasping for relevance.”

He smiled but there was no humor in his eyes. With a sneer he let her chin go.

Carlos crouched until his eyes met the twins’, a slow smile tugging at his mouth as the twins shrank back, clutching Yasmine’s legs.

“Come here,” he ordered, but the boys remained behind her.

He made a cluck sound and Yasmine swallowed hard. “They are defiant now, but they will learn obedience, or they will end up with the same lessons as their father.”

Yasmine’s jaw tightened. She wanted to spit at him. Instead, she angled Isabella away from his reach. “One touch and Dean will see you dead.”

His laughter rang against the stone as he stood before her once more. “Of course he will. Just as I’m sure he will if I touch you, but that is why I enjoy this game.”

Carlos leaned close, his lips brushing the edge of her ear. “Until then, they are mine to teach. And you…” His breath was hot, sickening. “…you are mine to admire and…maybe more. Maybe you will provide me with my next child.” Carlos reached out and touched Yasmine’s belly.

Yasmine jerked to the side and out of his reach. “Don’t touch me,” Yasmine threatened, voice low.

Carlos snickered, amused by her outburst. She detested that he’d finally gotten to her enough that she reacted. That was what he wanted, and she had handed it over on a silver platter.

Isabella began to cry, and Yasmine stroked her daughter’s back, whispering soft reassurances she barely believed as she fought to keep her hands steady beneath Carlos’s watchful eye.

Carlos plucked a piece of fruit from Aiden’s basket…a red apple, and pressed it into Yasmine’s free hand. His fingers lingered far too long, his smile too wide.

“Eat, preciosa. You need strength to bloom and keep that baby growing. It won’t be much longer now, and you’ll be free to conceive again.” He plucked another apple from Aiden’s basket and took a large bite the juice sliding down his chin. “I can’t wait.”

He turned and strode away, as if he hadn’t just carved a line of terror within Yasmine with every word, his guards casually trailing behind. She didn’t dare tell Dean. This was a test, Carlos was pushing her boundaries to see what she would allow. She felt it, and either way Dean would go right off the deep end if he found out.

Squaring her shoulders Yasmine gave the boys a smile and placed the apple back into Aiden’s basket. “Let’s get going.” Her voice was light, but it didn’t stop her muscles from shaking.

“Mama, what Grandpapa Carlos mean we his?” Tate asked and looked down at his shoes.

Touching his head, he looked up, and Yasmine hated that her young son already had worry in his eyes.

“You are not his. You will never be his, and I want you to be respectful to Grandpapa Carlos, but never…and I mean never go anywhere alone with him. Do you understand boys?” They both nodded, solemn.

Yasmine breathed once, twice, steadying herself. And then she lifted her chin. She would find a way to help Dean get them all out of here. Even if she had to be the one to put a bullet in Carlos’s head. He was never taking her children or her body.