Page 2 of XOXO

I thought I’d be safe with the valet close by, but it seemed they were picking up cars.

“What the fuck was that?” he snarled, still carrying his Chivas that looked miraculously refreshed.

“What was what?” I played stupid to make this go faster and hoped he didn’t explode.

He grabbed my upper arm, tightening his grip until I flinched from the pain.

“No seas pendeja,” he growled, yanking me forward.

Don’t be a stupid girl.

“Hey!” I shouted when his grip tightened again. “Lorenzo, let me go.”

I tried pulling away, but even four scotches in, his strength overwhelmed me.

“Why do you have to be so fucking stubborn?” he snapped, pushing me toward a nearby car. “I don’t know what’s been up your ass, but you better fix it before tomorrow. Just do as you're told and this will go so much smoother.”

I stared at the man who used to be the sweetest boy. He was even an adorable teenager promising to keep in touch as we went to separate colleges.

What happened to him?

“Do I make myself clear?” he spat, taking a drink of his scotch, finishing it in one go.

“Lorenzo, let me go,” I said, attempting to pull away again, unease settling in my gut. “You’re drunk and you need to go home.”

He laughed, menacingly making the hair on my neck stand up.

“Oh, Violeta,” he said, yanking me closer, grabbing my chin painfully. “You don’t tell me what to do. We are going to be married and if you just shut up and make some babies, this will be a lot easier for you.”

It wasn’t a new threat, this wasn't the first time he had handled me roughly. The rage in his eyes made me realize that this might be the beginning of a dreadful marriage. I had made excuses for him and I had been stupid for doing it.

“V!” My brother shouted.

“Go to your mother’s, I will not ask again,” he sneered, letting go of me.

My heart beat erratically. Fear slithered through my veins as I tried to calm down.

“Hey, are you ready to go home? Maya has the room set up for you,” my brother, Mario, asked, looking between us warily.

“Oh, well I’m glad she’s going home with you,” Lorenzo said, his charming smile perfectly in place.

“Yeah, we figured it might be easier for V.” He narrowed his eyes on Lorenzo, reaching out for me.

I walked to him quickly as the need to run overwhelmed me. My entire body was telling me to get the fuck out of here and not just right now, but to run away from this marriage.

“Great, I didn’t want her staying by herself tonight.” Lorenzo played the dutiful fiancée.

“Did you forget you and Maya planned a girl’s night? Your last night as a single gal,” he said, effortlessly lying.

“Shit, I did forget,” I said, getting myself under control to keep this lie up.

“Hey, girl! I got the champagne chilling.” Maya walked over, looking between all of us. “Girl, did you forget? Oh wait, weren’t we going to your place to pick up your shoes for tomorrow?”

My brother didn’t deserve Maya.

“All you had to do was tell me that, Violeta,” Lorenzo said, rolling his eyes. “Why does everything have to be a fight with you?”

I opened my mouth to say something when he raised his hand.