Antonio

We may have considered Santos Salazar's threat as mere words but over a week's pondering, I had come to the conclusion that there was more to him than what he portrayed. I believed him when he said about destroying me. I knew, a man with his ego and madness would so anything to destroy others, whoever crossed a line with him.

Unwilling to take any chance, I dialed up my friend. Vincent Nazario ruled the New York grounds since his father's demise. Studying together, we grew close but not without the brawls boys had. Only when his family needed help escaping the conviction charges, they sought asylum in our place, thus forging the bonds of loyalty.

"There I though you forgot about us after marriage," he mocked through the call. I knew this day would come. "So why calling us now?"

Dad was right about inviting allies to the marriage. It was my unwilling to recognize Val as my wife, the sighed documents as marriage. I didn't want my friends to acknowledge my second marriage or the woman who came alone. The decision went down the wrong pipe for many.

But Vincent and I go back beyond fights of those kinds.

"I wanted to invite you to the one that I will have soon, the one with everyone."

He cleared his throat, chuckling. "Don't tell me you are getting married again. Who is she?" with a concerned voice that emerged, Vincent asked.

"It's Valentina." My answer only resulted in his laughter. He drew deep breath, coughing. "And now you are invited, Vince."

"I ain't coming for the same marriage. But I am willing to let you be our guests, if you both decide to honeymoon again. We would be happy to.." his voice sank to what seemed like a soundless bottom. "I am happy to take you both as a guest." His words confirmed the spreading rumor. His marriage was in shambles. Yet, I wanted a confirmation. "Where is Gemma?"

He signed the instance her name was spoken. "Gone back to her family," he whispered. "She has left long back."

Gemma, the free spirited being was a part of our family. Gabriel's sister, she was the head of security who protected Vincent from dangers he never even knew he had. After a quick elopement, their marriage failed without any news of troubles.

I had heard all this from Maria, who was always worried about Gemma's happiness. After all, she was her favorite. But that was before Val or Sofia made an appearance in her life.

"Gemma's home?" I asked. He hummed his answer.

After a quick talk and invitation to meet us all, I ended his call and dialed Gemma, who picked up on the first ring.

"A little bird told me you were back?"

She chuckled over the call. "Yes, if that bird is my ex, then yup, I am back." Her voice elongated for a moment, searching for the right word. "Don't tell Gabriel. He doesn't know."

I was taken aback. Gabriel was acting strange for a long time, longer than I have ever seen. With Vincent's confirmation, I knew it was Gemma's news that surrounded him but her words made me think again. If Gabriel wasn't aware about his sister failed marriage, then why he was behaving differently.

"I won't." I clicked my lips and so did she. It was our way of promises, since we were kids. "Listen, Gem, I need your help." Retelling my concern, I was lucky to rope her in without much trouble.

After I ended the call, Gabriel walked in. The smile or expressionless face that he usually carried was replaced with a sadder version. It was clear, he was hiding something.

What, I couldn't put a finger on.

"Something's bothering you, Gabriel," I rose up to match him. His eyes matched mine. "I want you to be focused on the consignment. So tell me what is it?"

I assumed he would have been tough to crack but Gabriel's weight shifted before he opened his mouth. "It's about her, Gemma. She is divorced and hasn't told me yet. She is back in Mexico but hasn't contacted me."

Like a river, his secret flowed. My mouth turned sour. How did I think for even a second that the man, whose loyalty was a pledge for everyone else would turn on me? How was I so blind? Was I growing paranoid with the days of shipment drawing closer?

"I spoke to her. She asked me not to tell you." I said. He pointed his finger, confirming today to which I nodded. "Yes and although you have all the right to worry for her, I have given her a task to keep busy."

A semi smile appeared on his face but doubts still lingered in his eyes. "Oh, anything to keep her busy. I don't want her to drown herself in alcohol again."

When Gabriel proceeded to move back, I called out. "How is the consignment coming?"

The biggest deal of my life was also my toughest. Not only were there spies all over, ready to cut it open and let us bleed, there were people who wanted us to fail. Everyone around was an enemy except for a trusted few.

Gabriel ruffled his hands inside his coat, leaning towards the door. "You just relax. Everything is taken care of."

Left in the empty room, I doubted his words. Why did I feel that he still wasn't telling the truth? But the only way I would know was if I'd check myself.

After a round around the old factory, meeting workers and getting to know the plan was going at the planned pace, I should have relaxed but my gut indicated of an impending doom. Something was lurking behind the horizon. It was darker than night and denser than the most humid air. And slowly, I could feel its grip tightening around my neck. My chest.

Back at home, I walked into Maria's room, only to be greeted with Sofia and Valentina who laid dresses on her bed as if it was for auction.

"What is this?" I asked, watching my wife smile and wink at me.

Sofia, who chested a dress over her, was bouncing off the walls, gleaming. "For the wedding," she sang.

I turned to Valentina, smiling. She drew a straight no with her head. Sofia was talking about her wedding. Her marriage with Alejandro. And here I was, assuming I had another chance to see my wife in a wedding gown. Maybe I would.

"So are you happy?" I asked, tilting my pose to rest on the door. Knowing what we were doing to her, holding her captive and forcing her into a marriage, I wasn't sure if this was the right question.

"Yes I am," Sofia's voice carried the beatings of her heart. She was genuinely happy for herself, even though her counterpart was whoring himself around. "Why won't I be? I am marrying the man of my dreams."

My gaze shifted to Val who moved closer and squeezed my hand. "I will tell you later," she whispered, her aired words soothing all my doubts.

I was forced by three woman who asked me for an opinion I didn't have. How was I supposed to tell them which fabric suited. I barely knew the fabric I myself wore.

"Why don't you ask Agustin?" I said, gesturing upstairs.

My hand was smacked at a lightening pace by Maria. She narrowed her eyes at me. I knew better not to bring his topic. Agustin was against this marriage. Upon evaluating one happiness over other, we choose Sofia's over his. He was heartbroken.

"Fine, then I will get dad to weigh in. I am not good with this, Maria."

Valentina's voice cracked Maria's flaring stares. "Why don't you call her mama?" she asked. My eyes snapped back at her, watching her grin, ear to ear. That traitor.

Growing up, everyone called her that. Instead of calling her mother, I heard what everyone called and imitated. She never bothered to correct me and I followed it till today. Till Valentina tried playing the devil.

"I..well.." Why was this so difficult to address? She was my mother. I was a product of her body. Yet, the word refused to fall out. "I have work."

Val held my hand, turning me around. "Say it," she commanded, her narrowed gaze and bridged eyebrows watching me.

I grinded my teeth, whispering. "You will regret doing this, cariño."

Her devious smile told she was willing to be punished. She wanted to be punished. I wanted nothing more than to peel her away from this place and hold her under me as I tortured her into submission. Vixen.

"I will take your leave, Ma." I burst out of the door, saying it. Their laughter cracked behind me. Maria's was the loudest. How was it fun for a mother to see her son tortured?

In my study, Val slid through the doors. "I hope you aren't angry."

"Why would I be?" I pulled her over my lap. She sat, spread over me. With her hands coiling behind my neck, her face dipped, kissing me.

"I don't know. Because of what I did." She bit her lower lip partly. Her hand travelled over my shirt and unbuttoned the first cover. "Will I be punished?" she mocked.

I pulled her off me and placed her on the bed. "Surely, but not now."

Straightening, Valentina knew I was in a serious mood. She poured me a glass of water, eying as I gulped it down. She didn't even have the requirement to ask me, I was willing to confess. In her, I found myself parroting my deepest darkest secrets.

"I think there might be troubles with the shipment."

Her head snapped back at me. "Why?"

"Gut feeling," I patted my abdomen. Her eyes grew wider and her lips parted. Things that she wanted to confess didn't make their way out from her mouth. I held her in my embrace as she signed onto my chest. "You know, whatever it is that you want to tell me, you can, cariño."

Nodding into me, she hummed. Trying to distract her, I held her closer. "How are things at your end? Is Sofia giving you any troubles?"

She smiled, kissing my lips with a soft touch. "Not her, but your brother is. Al needs to stop sleeping with every woman on this planet."

I raised my hand, a pretense to defend his roughness. "We are wild men. None can tame us."

"Really?" she twirled my tie. Tugging onto it, she pulled it tight. I coughed. Loosening it, she ran her tongue over my jaw. "Are you still wild?"

It was then, where her play drove me. The need to have Valentina, naked, begging under me rose in my chest. With a pace too swift for her to register, I pushed her to the bed. She knew what was coming.

Enticing me, she spread her legs and bit her lower lip, leaning her head back as her body rested, plopped on her elbows.

As I ran a hand inside her dress, her phone rang up, disturbing our silent play. She moved up, quickly kissing my lips before pouncing on her ringing device. When she merged after a few minutes, her fallen face conveyed the news which although was beyond my interpretation, I knew wasn't good.

"It's Ramon. He has fallen sick and I need to go meet him now." She grieved, tugging at her phone's strap.

"Okay. I can take you."

"No," she huffed air along with her answer. "I want to do this alone."

Holding my hand, Valentina kissed my palm and walked away. Everything about her made me worry. Everything about our deal too. I pacified my gut, telling that she wouldn't betray me. She would never. Valentina loved me enough to let me know, if she planned anything against us.

Then why were my doubts not disappearing?

~

Dearies,

Hope you all liked this chapter. Please do vote and comment if you did.

Also, if you like my work I hope you'd check out my new finished novel-

STRANGER CONNECTION

The banter, the chemistry and the love both the male and female protagonist have for each other would have you swoon for a love like that..

So go ahead and enjoy..

Go on, don't be shy ;)