Chapter 118 Àlvaro's Pov.
“You're fucking crazy if you think I'd support you on this, Àlvaro.”
Santiago's eyes met mine from across the table, drawing the attention of all the men lined up around the table at the warehouse. My most loyal soldiers, people I trusted with my life.
I knew he hasn't been very pleased with me since he found out about the way I treated Anthonio. I believe I left him with a broken rib or two, broken nose and a severely beaten face.
I'm not a man who prides himself on great self control and right now, Santiago was stepping way over the line, allowing himself to hold such a tone with me in front of my men.
I rested my hand on the handle of the chair, scratching my beard as I looked at him with narrowed eyes.
I still don't get why he's so pissed about it even after finding out that Anthonio was behind Chloe's death.
“Feel free to leave the meeting, Santiago.” I mumbled, relaxing on the chair as he stared at me with cold eyes.
“You realize this is madness, right?” He hissed and the gazes of the other men around the table shifted from him to me. “You expect me to believe Anthonio's conspiring against you? We've been friends since we were kids, goddammit!”
“I don't give a fuck whether you believe it or not. It's the truth.” I didn't even think twice before answering.
“And for what? All these for a used pussy? You needed to give her someone to blame for Chloe? When we both know the culprit is her father?” He spat out in a voice full of malice. “That whore doesn't deserve the war that has started because of her.”
“Choose your words more carefully in my presence, Santiago. Because the next time you disrespect my girlfriend, I'll forget about our long standing relationship and cut your throat along with your vocal chords to make sure you never do so again even in the afterlife.”
Silence filled the room and the temperature dropped sharply. The tension between me and Santiago could be felt in the air. He should be grateful that he was still alive. Another person in his place would not have been so lucky.
“Girlfriend?” He laughed shaking his head. “So she's your girlfriend now? The sex must be fucking good.”
“Yes.” Was all I said.
That word always tasted forbidden on my mouth but not when it came to Camilla. She was mine from the moment she barged into that room at the club. I was just dumb and stubborn enough to never wanting to truly admit it. I was fucking terrified by the way she made me feel. Ever since sex with her, I couldn't even bring myself to fuck someone else.
It's fucking funny because I never thought about keeping a woman for longer than I should. I've never had the thought to look at a woman after I'm done fucking her but with Camilla, it's different. She's different and I knew it from the moment I laid my eyes on her. She has me wrapped around her little finger and I'd do absolutely anything for her.
I returned my gaze to Santiago, waiting for him to speak.
“I helped you when you asked for help to get her out if Leonardo's mansion because I thought you wanted to use her to get to her father.” His voice was low and cold, sending invisible daggers in my direction. “But this is fucking crazy. After everything that bitch and her dad put you through, Anthonio is the one you have a problem with? I won't be a part of this.”
“Then you're free to leave my empire.” I cut him off, narrowing my eyes. “With or without you, this is going to happen. It's your choice whose side you're on. Mine or his.”
“I'm not going to pick a side, Àlvaro. We're family.” He raised his voice and I laughed humorlessly.
“Anthonio should've thought of that when he decided to betray me.” I told him, gesturing towards the door. “You can leave now. You're not welcome here anymore.”
“Fuck you, Àlvaro.” Was the last thing he said to me before giving me the middle finger and storming out of the room. I turned my attention to the men around the table, pretending that I didn't hear his last words.
“So…” I sighed, looking between them who already had their eyes on me. “Let's continue, shall we?”
Camilla’s Pov.
I looked down proudly at the pasta I cooked all by myself, eager to share it with Àlvaro and see his reaction. Will he like it? I hope he does and I hopes it tastes as good as it looks.
While he was out at the warehouse, I decided to fill my time helping around the house. Harriet still wasn't back and the two girls gad been replaced by new ones but this time, they were women in their forties, almost like Harriet. I like them better.
My cheeks turned red and memories from a few days ago filled my mind, making me feel hot immediately.
I couldn't believe that he went down on me in front of those girls. And even more, I can't believe that I let him do it. I'm ashamed to admit that it was the hottest thing he's ever done to me. Seeing him surrender himself in front of me to prove a point.
And I came harder than I ever did before. Knowing a powerful man like him was on his knees for me, allowing me to claim him, just made my body explode in ecstacy like never before.
My peace and thoughts were interupted by a noise in the kitchen and when I turned my head, I saw Santiago sitting on the other side of the kitchen counter, visibly angry.
As soon as he saw me, he sighed with disgust, shaking his head.
I honestly do miss the times when I could call him a friend but somehow, everything changed in the months I spent with my dad.
“Of course you're still here.” He spat. “It's almost like you're everywhere.”
Santiago hated me. That was as clear as a bright day and if some of the guards weren't lurking around, I'd probably be lying on the ground with a bullet stuck in my heart.
He started collecting some things from the cupboard on the counter that I couldn't see from my position so I just sat with my hands politely in front of my body, trying to think about anything but the awkward situation.
Looking at him, I couldn't deny that I missed him. I missed the time when we were friends and he didn't hate me from the bottom of his soul. Everything happened so fast and I just wished things were different between us.
When he was done with whatever he was taking from the cupboard, he slammed it shut and slung a bag over his shoulder. Panic enveloped my whole body.
“Where are you going?” I asked and he shot me a look.
“Lucky for you, I'm leaving.” He smiled coldly. “Your boyfriend kicked me out.” He spat with disgust as if it was the most disgusting thing he's ever said.
“What?! Àlvaro would never. I can talk to him.” I said in a whisper, trying to offer my help but he cut me off, shooting me a cold look making me swallow back my words.
“Don't you think you've done enough?” He mumbled, looking at me with disgust. I felt so cheap and small under his watchful gaze. “I don't know what kind of golden pussy you have and how you've managed to wrap Àlvaro around your little finger but congratulations you did it and thanks to you, the friendship I've known since I can remember, is broken.”
“Don't put me between this.” I replied,my voice deeper than usual. I could feel my cheeks turning red. “You know it's not my fault.”
“Everything is your fault!” He spat, his gaze challenging mine from across the counter. “I want you gone. I want you away from him.”
“Too bad for you because it won't happen.” I replied almost immediately without thinking. He must be crazy if he thinks I would ever leave Àlvaro.
“You love the attention, don't you?” He mocked, shaking his head with a laugh. “You love the attention of fucking the big bad mafia guy.”
“Fuck you, Santiago.” I hissed and he raised his eyebrows, amused. “You knew how things started out between me and Àlvaro.”
“Oh yeah. I also know how you opened your legs for him while you were someone else's fiancée.” He laughed, hurting me with his words.
I shook my head, swallowing the salty words. There was no point going back and forth with him. “I really wanted us to remain friends, Santiago.”
“Friends?!” He banged on the counter causing some of the guards to reach for their guns but I shot them a look and they froze in place. “Ever since you showed up, everything went to hell. I was just a fool to see it at the beginning.”
I nodded, swallowing another salty word. I tried not to let it get into my head but it was just too hard.
“I think we're done here, Santiago.” I cracked out my words, breaking my gaze from his before picking up the two plates of pasta I had prepared, no longer having even an ounce of appetite.
I left the kitchen, leaving Santiago alone in there. He didn't say anything, didn't stop me. Not that I wanted him to anyways.