ELENORA

"Did he apologize at least once?" Clara questions, slurping her margarita cocktail through a straw. She begged me to go out for brunch to make up for not making it to our girls' night in, last night. I've been filling her in on my encounters with Rico including what happened last night.

"I mean, he shows up unannounced, almost ruins your dinner and then you smack your head and end up getting a nose bleed—all because of him."

"I don't apologize. Ever." I lower my voice to imitate him. "Remember?

"What an asshole."

I chuckle. "I will say it's pretty damn funny how clueless and clumsy he is. I mean, the dog shit on his shoe was one thing, but then the fact that he nearly gave himself second degree burns, come on!"

We continue laughing as we finish our meals. "One of the girls at work was telling me about a new latin club opening in Soho. We should check it out."

I sigh. "As much as I'd like to, I think I need to lay low. My parents think I'm going to end up hurting myself or end up in the hospital again."

"That was different, Nora. And what happened on your birthday was because those assholes slipped you something. We can go and not drink."

I stare back at her, knowing that's not going to happen.

Clara rolls her eyes. "Well, maybe one drink. But we won't get white-girl wasted, I promise. Come on, I gotta show off my Samba moves. I've finally nailed it after doing Zumba forever." She shimmies her shoulders.

I laugh. "Friday or Saturday?"

"It opens Saturday."

My phone rings, and Rico's name flashes on my screen. I hold up my phone to Clara and she takes it from my hand and answers.

"They took her! They took her! Hurry send someone, they're going to kill her! They're asking for money!" Clara sounds panicked and then she gasps. "No, please no!" She hangs up the phone and takes a sip of her water glass.

People at the restaurant glance in our direction as we burst out laughing. When my phone rings; it's Rico again but this time I decline it. If he wants to talk he can do it with my voicemail.

"Let's go, before they kick us out." I finish my drink and grab my purse.

"What store should we hit first?"

"How 'bout that cute boutique on 9th and Mercer," I respond as we step out onto the sidewalk. My phone keeps vibrating and I shut it off. "Man, needs to take a hint."

"No more talk about Dicko, let's just enjoy the day and do some retail therapy," Clara says as she hooks her arm in my hand. "What time are you going to your parents?"

"I told Maya I'd be there around two to start the outline for the muriel on her bedroom wall."

We hit all the stores we mapped out and then I head to my parents. My nonno is walking out the front door as I step out of the cab.

"What are you doing here?" he doesn't hide the contempt in his voice.

"I'm visiting my sisters, that okay with you?"

He glares at me and his hand twitches at his side, desperate to make contact with my face. He curls his lip. "Things are always much calmer when you're not around."

"Funny, I think the same about you."

He mutters a string of insults, walking away. I take a deep breath and walk in, grateful he won't be in the house while I'm here.

"Thank goodness you're here. Maya's driving the whole house crazy, waiting for you!" Luna chuckles. "Seriously, I was close to slipping her some Benadryl to knock her out."

"That's not funny, Luna," Jackie narrows her eyes at her; the seriousness in Jackie's voice and face makes it clear it's too soon to joke about that.

"Nora! Yay! Look, I'm wearing old clothes to help you today." Maya spins around as I take in her paint splattered old shirt and pants.

Luna rolls her eyes. I set my bags down, chuckling. "Well, let's get started then, but before we do, I got you guys something." Luna squeals in excitement and rushes over to me as I kneel down pulling out the items from the bags for each of them.

The rest of the afternoon my sisters and I work in Maya's room. We end up making a bit of a mess with the paint and splattered it all over ourselves, but I would never trade the paint ruined clothes over the memories we are making.

We are laughing our heads off, when shouting sounds from downstairs.

"ELENORA!"

"Was that Pop?" Luna sets her paintbrush down in the tray.

"That didn't sound like him," Jackie answers and attempts to wipe the paint on her chin but it spreads even more. "He's never shouted like that before."

We hurry out of the room and rush down the stairs. I stop abruptly, which causes my sister's to ram into me, and stumble the rest of the way down; somehow managing to stay on my feet.

Rico is standing in the foyer with a small army of men. My father, nonno, mom and even some of my dad's men all stare back at me. My mother calls Maya over to her and takes her to the kitchen.

"What's going on?" My heart gallops, noticing my Nonno's furious gaze is fixed on me.

"I've been looking all over the fucking city for you." Rico's low voice is eerily calm. If it wasn't for his flaring nostrils and his shoulders moving from his heavy breathing, I would assume he's his usual cold, domineering self. "I've had men searching every fucking street corner, in the goddamn city, thinking someone had taken you after I called you this morning."

Oh, shit. My face burns as I take in the other faces.

"It...it was a joke, Rico. Clara thought it would be funny to—"

"Excuse us." He yanks me forward by my wrist, then drags me to my father's study.

"You see? The girl brings it on herself, but I'm the bad guy." My Nonno addresses everyone behind us.

The grip Rico has on me is starting to hurt. I push at his hand to get him to ease up but that only makes him squeeze harder. "You're hurting me, Rico."

He opens the door to my fathers study and shoves me forward inside the room. I try to catch myself, but end up hitting the couch.

I straighten myself as he comes looming over me. His dark eyes drilling into mine. "I've wasted an entire fucking day looking for you and you were joking? I know you don't understand how things work, Elenora, but having several of my men out, combing the streets, is not exactly a good thing, when I'm supposed to keep a low profile."

I laugh. "Seriously? Give me a fucking break. I probably gave you an excuse to leave the office. You're welcome! And what the hell are you talking about keeping a low profile? I thought you wanted attention for this stupid arrangement."

I shove him and start to open the door to leave but he slams it shut, caging me in. "The next time you want to pull some shit, I won't come looking for you." His breath warms the skin on my neck and ear as he leans in.

"I never asked you to, idiota," I look over my shoulder at him and his angry eyes are looking back at me. (idiot)

He turns me, pinning my arms to my sides. "I should end this whole fucking nightmare and just take you out myself."

"If only." His eyebrows pinch together at my response.

"What the hell's wrong with you? You have a fucking death wish, don't you? Is your posh princess life so boring that you put yourself in danger for the thrill of it?" He steps back, a look of perplexion on his face.

I glare back at him even though my eyes are beginning to burn. I might have not thought this out, and I certainly didn't expect this reaction out of him. I hate that his calling me out makes me reflect on the shit that almost took place on my birthday.

But the fact is, he doesn't know me. "You got me, Federico. Once again. Nothing gets past you."

I shrug out of his hold. "Let's not bother reflecting on your own issues, right? It makes sense now that I know. You've got mommy and daddy issues, definitely commitment issues, but you're also a walking contradiction. You think you control everything, but you control shit!"

I back up again as he takes two long strides forward and his hand comes around my throat pushing me up against the door. I can't help the smile on my face as I look up at him. "Such a big tough man, aren't you, Rico? Go ahead, hit me. I know you want to."

I flinch when he slams his hand against the door next to my head. I keep my eyes shut tight, but even that doesn't stop the tear that escapes, betraying me as it rolls down my face.

His hand loosens around my throat and I open my eyes turning my face to look at him. His eyes are on his hands, breathing heavily.

"We need to keep our interactions limited unless we're out in public. I won't call or text you unless it's important." He says before he moves away from me and my hand moves to my throat, massaging where his fingers were squeezing.

"I haven't reached out to you once, stronzo, it's been you who's been stalking and harassing me." (asshole)

"I'm going to be out of town for business this weekend," He says, turning away. "My cousin is having a birthday dinner next weekend and we're going to it."

"Sure, thanks for asking." I glower at him as I move to the mirror in my father's study to look at my throat. "Is it Domani's birthday?"

He mutters under his breath. "And you say I mutter, hypocrite."

"It's Serafina's birthday. Sorry to disappoint you." His cold eyes meet mine in the reflection of the mirror. I shrug in response and walk to the door.

"Safe travels. Oh, wait, I don't care."

"Try not to get violated or kidnapped, or do, I don't care," He responds before I slam the door shut behind me.

_______________

"Damn, forget about having a stick up your ass, he's got a whole damn tree wedged up there!" Clara comments as we wait outside the club, Oscuridad. "I'm sorry, it's my fault, but I didn't think he'd react that way. And why would he send out a whole fleet?"

"I told him he's the personification of contradiction."

"That's most men in general, unfortunately." She sighs. "Oh, yes, the line's moving. I don't want my feet to start hurting in these shoes before we get a chance to get on the dance floor."

I laugh as we hold our ID's up to the bouncer then weave our way through the crowd of people.

"Only one drink for me," I remind her, when we make it to the bar. She nods and gives the bartender our order.

The crowd is vibing to the music as I look around; the large room is surrounded by a second floor balcony and what looks like private rooms.

"Here ya go!" Clara hands me a drink. We find a table and sit down sipping our drinks, scoping out the area.

After a while Clara grabs my hand. "You ready?" I nod and we make our way to the dance floor. We laugh and move to the music enjoying the high energy in the room.

I find myself letting go of all the stress and frustration I've had in the last week and maybe even longer. It's been a long time since I felt this good and I'm not even a little bit buzzed.

Clara tells me she needs to use the restroom while I wait near the bar. I'm bopping along to the music when she rushes back over to me. "We gotta yeet, girl!"

"What? Why? We just got here!"

"Because the asshole of the century is here."

"Rico? Where?" My pulse begins to race.

"I'm pretty sure, it's him, but it's so damn dark in here, it might not be, but why chance it?"

"Show me."

Clara leads us to a far side of the club, towards a lounge area. It's elevated and she points to the corner area. I move closer and I know it's him.

His words about going out of town for business play back in my head; fucking liar.

There are girls on either side of him, but I watch as one walks over and drapes herself over him. Domani is here, too, talking with a blonde then I recognize the rose tattoo on her shoulder. It's Angela.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Clara tugs on my wrist and I hiss in pain. I glance down at the discoloration on my skin where Rico held my wrist too tight the other day.

"No. Why should we have to leave because he's here? He lied about going out of town for business. If I'm lucky someone will snap pictures of him and we can end this fucked up arrangement."

"Excuse me."

Someone touches my elbow; we turn and find two good looking guys standing near us. "Would you ladies like to dance?"

Clara and I share a look and shrug. "Sure." They introduce themselves to us before they take our hands and lead us out to the dance floor. We dance to a few songs with them before we sit at a table and they order us drinks, but I stick to water.

"You don't drink?"

"I do, but it's not good for my health." I smile at the guy named Diego. Clara and Joaquin look like they are ready to jump bones next to us.

Diego brings my attention back to him when he lifts my hair back behind my shoulder. "So, what do you do, Nora?"

"Photography."

"That's cool, do you travel for work? Or are you based here in New York?" He sips his beer.

"I've done some traveling but I mostly stay in New York. What about you?"

"I work for my father. He's a self made man and I'll be taking over the business after he retires." He leans in with a charming smile.

"What type of business?"

"Do you girls know how to bachata?" Joaquin asks with excitement. Clara and I shake our heads

Diego pulls me out of my chair and leads me onto the dance floor, following behind his brother and Clara. He must have noticed my concern, because he tries to encourage me. "You already know how to Salsa, and Bachata is much easier, trust me."

He brings me close to him and guides me to the music. I observe the girls around me and attempt to mimic their movements. It's a very sensual dance as Diego presses me up against him as we continue.

Another song begins and this one is another bachata song, but with a quicker tempo. He spins me and moves my arms for me. I laugh as I get lost in the movements a few times but he gets me untangled and smiles encouragingly as we keep moving. The next song is slower and he brings my arms around his shoulders and keeps his head close to mine.

He dips his head lower and I feel his lips on my shoulder. I close my eyes trying to enjoy the moment even though my heart is beating out of my chest, not sure if I want to stop him or not. I remind myself we're in a public place, nothing horrible can happen then his hand travels down over my ass as he pulls me closer.

I look back at him and his eyes move to my lips. He's going to kiss me.

He places his lips on mine, the kiss becoming more intense as the seconds pass. I'm about to pull away when I'm yanked away, slamming into someone.

Rico's furious eyes are glaring back at me.

*****