Chapter 66: Mariana's Pov

I'm in my room now, a place that is supposed to be my safe haven. But it sure doesn't feel safe at the moment.

The walls feel like they're closing in on me, trapping my fury, amplifying it until it feels like I might explode. I pace back and forth, my bare feet padding against the floor.

My breathing is fast, erratic, loud-so loud it fills the space.

Tears roll down my face and I slap them away. No more weakness. I have to get my mind straight. I have to let off some steam and get my mind running with endless ideas.

I can't stop replaying my father's words in my head. His excuses. Their weakness. How he stood there, defending his inability to act when he's needed to. How she sat there, pretty, stiff, controlled.

I guess they're in their prime.

How else can you explain the level of calmness those wild animals are exuding in this time of chaos. . .

He wants me to back down from this fight? To blame me for what is happening? I won't allow his words get to me. And I refuse to wait for someone else to fix this.

My hands tremble as I rake them through my hair. My mind races. I need to act. Now. But how?  Where do I start?

Why's my mind refusing to come up with ideas?

A knock at the door pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. I freeze, my chest still heaving as I glare at the door.

"Mariana," I hear a familiar voice from the other side.

Fuck. . .

Alejandro.

"Come in," I say, my voice clipped.

The door creaks open, and Alejandro steps inside, closing it softly behind him. His broad shoulders fill the space, his usual confidence muted by the tension in his expression.

God, he's beautiful. Even more beautiful when he's on the edge, whenever he's cautious of me.

I bite the inside of my mouth and hold his gaze for a moment. I need ideas, I need to let off steam. Alejandro knows exactly how to do that for me.

Without a word, I grab the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head, tossing it carelessly onto the chair nearby.

"He's mentally disturbed, very different from the rest of us," I whisper, one step pushing me forward. Alejandro raises a brow, confusion etched to his features. I smile. "My brother. . . Mariano. He's uh. . . a psychopath."

Another stop carries me forward, my hands moving behind me to unfasten my bra. It falls to the ground and Goosebumps spread across my skin when the cool air brushes over my nipples.

Alejandro gulps, his eyes blinking twice.

I continue speaking as my fingers find the edge of the gauze wrapped around my torso. "And from the look of things, I believe Leah was taken too. Imagine what that is doing to him, imagine what it'd do to him if anything happens to that girl because of him, of us. That's why I'm so frantic. . ."

Alejandro's eyes twitch, his jaw tightening as he watches me. "Mariana-"

"Why are you so far away? You should come closer," I cut him off, my voice firm, commanding.

"Mariana, what are you-"

"I said come closer, then you can say what you've come here to say." My voice is sharper now, daring him to argue. I unwind the gauze slowly, feeling his gaze on every inch of newly exposed skin.

His throat bobs as he swallows hard.

And then he takes a step forward, then two steps forward, on the third step, the distance between us completely vanishes.

"We've been trying. . . they've been trying," he says, his voice low and hoarse. And I see how he's physically struggling to keep his eyes on mine. "To rescue Mariano."

My hands find the front of his shirt, my fingers working his buttons, eyes locked on his as I perform the task slowly, building his anticipation.

"They're not trying enough," I hush.

"They are," he argues, a loud gulp pushing down his throat when I strip him of his shirt. "Every plan we make, every move we take-they know. It's like someone's feeding them information."

Scoffing, I take a step back and drop the last of the gauze, letting it fall to the floor in a heap.

And then I'm standing there, bare before him, my eyes telling him what I want, and yet he looks at me like I'm something untouchable. Something dangerous. Something breakable.

I tilt my head, watching him as he takes a hesitant step closer.

"Who?" I ask, my voice quieter now but no less cutting.

He shakes his head, his expression conflicted. "We don't know. It's someone close. Someone with access."

My jaw clenches as I absorb his words. Betrayal. It's everywhere. Even here.

"Where?" I ask again, my eyes raking over his torso before meeting his gaze. His eyes are hooding slowly, and I love to see it.

"Mexico," he answers.

Of course.

My lips tilt up into a small smile.

"Pants," I command, my eyes gesturing him to take his pants off. His lips pull apart for an argument, but when I shoot him a glare, he swallows his words and takes the pants off.

He's so fucking hard.

Fuck.

My pussy pulses erratically as I watch his cock straining, precum oozing out of him.

He sure likes it when I order him around.

How pathetic.

"Get on your knees," I say suddenly, my voice slicing through the air with command.

His eyes snap to mine, confusion flickering across his face. "What?"

"You heard me," I say, taking a step toward him. My voice is steady, my gaze unyielding. "Knees. Now."

For a moment, he doesn't move, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, very slowly, he lowers himself to the floor, his eyes never leaving mine.

My hand the back of his head, my fingers sliding into his scalp. He groans on my touch and I moan slightly at the intense buildup of anticipation.

"We need to do something about the mole then," I whisper, pushing his head close. He kisses up my thighs, his tongue draggin up my skin, leaving trails of burning sensation as it moves up.

"How do you intend to do that?" He asks, his teeth nibbling my skin. I moan. He grunts. "It could be anyone-soldiers, Made men, maids-it could be anyone."

The moment the words leave him, his mouth dives my centre, exactly where I want it to be. I jerk forward, the hand in his hair fisting the strands strongly, a pleasured cry dangling from my throat.

It could be anyone.

I ponder for a fleeting moment. Pleasure gets my mind going. And then I make a sudden declaration.

"I will search thoroughly, and if I'm unable to sniff out the rats, I'll kill them all."