Page 21 of Crowned In Blood
But more than anything, she was meant to bemine.
When the invitation to her twenty-first birthday arrived, I didn't hesitate to respond. The party was extravagant, but it couldn't touch her radiance. That was what her father was trying to control until it withered away and died, and I refused to let that happen.
I wanted to free her from him, to show her a life where she could be her true self. I was willing to pay anything,doanything to save her, and I had been so close at the party, until I found out my cousin had been shot by a rival famiglia.
The news of her marriage to Fernando had been a tremendous blow. It was suspicious that Simon had called so many mafia leaders to the party, but I didn't know he was bartering Catalina. If I had, I would have stayed. I would have done anything to win, even if that meant killing every other family in New York.
I'd failed her, but she didn't need me to save her.
At first, no one believed she'd murdered Fernando or other members of the Salazar Familia. She was five foot four, one-hundred pounds soaking wet, and by all public accounts, docile, obedient, and easy to keep in line.
But I knew she did it. She had teeth and when forced into a corner, she'd use them. Where others saw docile, I saw patience. Where they saw obedient, I saw carefully manipulative. Catalina was a mastermind at what she did, and it was only a matter of time until others saw and recognized it as well.
Now, The Underground knew her as Señora de la Muerte, Lady of Death. She'd survived those that tested her, leaving over a dozen bodies in her wake, all within a couple of months. The way she carried herself excited me, but I would need to change my plans if I ever wanted to win her heart.
Catalina never let anyone close, especially men. Much less one from a rival family.
She was cautious and she needed to be. She was a queen in her own right that would bow to no one. But most men would want her too.
Convincing her I did not would be a long and difficult journey.
But I preferred a challenge, and winning over Catalina would be the sweetest reward. The smile on my face deepened.
I would take my time, seduce her, show her my respect and loyalty. Earn her trust, her love. She would be my ally, my partner, my wife. It was destiny, a fate that nothing and no one could change. I wouldn't allow them to.
Excitement coursed through my veins as I traced her lips once more.
Soon, Catalina. Soon.
Catalina exited the Salazar mansion,and I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. Something was going on.
I'd been tracking her movements either personally or through my men, and over the last six months I'd been in Italy, she'd never come here on her own. Yet today marked the fifth day in a row. She was also leaving the office more often, frequenting warehouses and other establishments she normally didn't, pushing back several of her routine appointments to later in the day.
What are you doing, Catalina? What are you trying to find?
Perhaps I could position myself as an ally in her search. This could be the perfect opportunity to get close to her, and I would not let it slip through my fingers.
I tailed her, staying several cars behind, then turned left into a gas station when she turned right toward her office.
I pressed the Bluetooth on my car. "Call Anthony."
"Yes, boss?"
"I need you to confirm when Catalina arrives at her office."
"It concerns me that you've been stalking this woman for a year. If she has you this wrapped around her finger when she doesn't even know your name, you might die by the time you finally win her over. "
The laugh in his voice irked me, but the fact that he might be right pissed me off even more. "Anthony." I warned.
"Yes, yes, I know, I know. Even though I'm your second in command and your favorite cousin, you'll kill me if I keep talking, yada, yada, yada."
"And yet, you still continue to speak." I huffed. "Just let me know when she gets there."
"Fine," he scoffed.
I hung up. After a few minutes, I checked my text messages. Nothing.
Another minute went by, and I glanced at my screen again, but there was still nothing.
