Page 12 of Crowned In Blood
Fernando grimaced, but quickly forced a smile. "I promise."
The exchange spoke volumes. Fernando had the power here, but they were partners in something that required an appearance of companionship.
I doubted it had much to do with money, Fernando probably needed my father's status to access something. If my father was still playing the role of doting father, then I wasn't just Fernando's wife to breed, but a link between our families.
I smiled, the first real one I'd had in longer than I could remember. Fernando might abuse me, but he couldn't kill me as long as he needed Simon. And my father couldn't hurt me and risk angering Fernando for injuring his new possession. Without meaning to, they'd given me leverage.
Fernando could only know what my father told him. And since I'd fooled my father for years, that information was likely inaccurate. Which meant I had a higher chance of escaping with Fernando than my father. It would take time, but itwouldwork.
There was nothing but hatred in my father's eyes as he turned to me, his arms outstretched for a hug.
I stepped into his embrace. "Goodbye, Father. I hope the next time I see you is at your funeral."
A vein throbbed in his forehead, and he looked ready to strangle me, but he couldn't, and it made me feel like I was flying.
The feeling continued. I was exhilarated, like I'd just jumped from a skyscraper. I laughed in glee as Fernando yanked me outside, done playing the loving groom.
He threw me into the limo, making my head hit the glass hard, but even that couldn't wipe the smile off my face. For a moment, I closed my eyes and simply basked in bliss. Yes, I'd left the lion's den for the devil's lair, but at least I'd left.
"You're in an awfully good mood for someone forced into marriage, Catalina. I hope you keep that up for our wedding night."
The threat in his tone chilled me, but I refused to show it. Tonight would be another battle, and no matter the consequences, I would win.
4
Catalina
Fernando's mansion screamed wealth—the immaculate landscaping and pristine marble facade, the towering columns with gold accents. It was more a looming palace than a relaxing home. The perfect temple for a sadistic, power-drunk man—and my gilded prison.
Fernando exited the limo, issuing low orders to two nearby men. And by the time I maneuvered myself and the ridiculous weight of my gown out of the car, he was gone.
Thankfully, neither man tried to assist me. I needed to be careful around them. They looked at me much like Fernando did, as if they owned me and could take me whenever they pleased.
Refusing to show my disgust, I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin, waiting for them to address me or move.
"El jefe se consiguió una puta bonita, ¿no?" one guard chuckled. ?*
"¿Crees que el jefe nos dejará follárnosla?" the other said, licking his lips. ?*
"Sí, si ella todavía le queda algo de espíritu por romper." ?*
They laughed, one slapping the other's chest, cheering each other on.
My heart thundered in my chest.
Publicly, my father had all but disowned his Hispanic heritage, wanting to appeal to the rich white men and women who would get him elected. But privately, he demanded I learn Spanish.
I knewexactlywhat they said.
Fernando would do whatever it took to fuck me, and according to his guards, he wasn't above passing me around.
I had to survive. I would fight Fernando tooth and nail to keep myself safe. But as the guards led me through the heavy wooden doors, I found nothing I could use as a weapon.
The foyer was lined with statues secured into glass arches, followed by artwork any museum would be jealous of. He even had a rare Fabergé egg.
Fernando appeared to be a collector of whatever he deemed beautiful, caging it away behind glass, only taking it out when he wanted it to be put on display—myself included.
The corridor ended at a large fountain, which appeared to be the heart of the mansion. Turning to the right, the guards took me up a grandiose staircase, then down a hallway. I counted doors, windows, but no additional guards save the men beside me. It made me even more wary. Fernando had something sinister planned to keep me here.
