Page 43 of Your Hate, My Claim
Two can play dirty and I’ll bring down the fucker myself if he gets near Simon.
Speaking of Simon, I need to talk to him. I can’t be seen with him in the house as my father is sure to have spies everywhere, like he does back in the US. Lucas. He can help.
I walk outside and start to head toward the gardens, moving as far away from the property as I can to avoid cameras and prying eyes. As I walk, I text Lucas.
Me: Can you bring Simon to me at the fountain? It's urgent. Make sure you’re not followed.
L: On our way.
I arrive at the large cherub fountain and take the opportunity to allow the sounds of tranquility to ease my nerves. To calm the storm. My mother loved this fountain. If she wasn’t in the house, you would find her here with a book, taking herself off to a fictional land that made her happy. Probably made her feel more safe.
Footsteps on the gravel grab my attention, just as Lucas and Simon appear from behind the hedging that hides the fountain. Giving it the appearance of a little sanctuary.
“Are you okay, Carlos?” Lucas asks, and I subtly shake my head.
“Keep a look out, would you, while I talk to Simon?”
He nods and returns to where he came from.
“Carlos what the hell is going on. Has something bad happened?” Simon asks. Panic and confusion marring that beautiful face.
So I start talking, preparing myself for a punch I deserve.
Carlos still hasn’t answered my question. When Lucas dragged me here I feared the worst, that something bad had happened between Carlos and Gabriel that would put us all in danger.
The light of the silver moon drapes over the garden and shadows behind where Carlos stands. The fountain gurgles softly, like it’s spilling secrets.
“Carlos, are you gonna answer me?”
With his arms crossed and his head bowed, every second that passes makes the weight in my chest press harder. Carlos then straightens, dressed in an impeccable black suit, the jacket unbuttoned with his signature open black shirt underneath.
“Carlos, you better fucking talk before I make you,” I warn, getting more pissed off with each second that passes.
“My father knows,” he says finally.
“Knows what?”
“About us. About you,” he says, putting his hands in his pockets, waiting for my reaction. My body has locked into position, frozen in time. For a moment I can’t react as this would mean I’m in a nightmare. A nightmare that could risk my life.
“You told him?” I ask.
“No. He’s had people watching me back home. He knew about your visits to my apartment. That you’ve stayed with me.”
Oh my god. I turn away, unable to look at him. I run my hands through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts. “Fuck,” I hiss under my breath.
“This is all part of his big plan. He wants me back in the family. To take over from him and run the business. He thinks if he holds you over me like a threat, then I’ll return. But it won’t happen. I’m not coming back. I refuse to play his games.”
I let out a hollow laugh. “From what I’ve heard, your father doesn’t play, Carlos. He controls and always wins.”
“I didn’t expect this to happen. If I knew he would involve you in this, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”
“But you did bring me here. You pulled me into your world the second you touched me and used your fucking need for dominance to manipulate a reason for me to be forced here.”
“That’s not fair. I needed extra hands with Enrico. It was a genuine request for help, Simon.”
“No, it's not fair, because I’m in the middle of your family bullshit.”
The anger between us grows fast, thick like smoke as it surrounds us in the mess that's taken over our life.
