Chapter 24 Camilla’s Pov
Ice cold eyes stared back at me as Àlvaro carefully set me back on my feet. His hands lingered on my waist. He stared at me, his eyes taking me in and I didn't miss the slight widening of his eyes.
He wore a tuxedo, with red tinged on his undercoat. He was cleanly shaven, a gorgeous man with black tattoos. His eyes traced my neckline and then he glanced at my wrist, nodding approvingly.
“You look good, chica.”
For some reason, what he said infuriated me even more because I knew he wasn't complimenting my appearance. He was complimenting the collar on my neck and the tattoo on my wrist that branded me as his. I was his slave.
I watched him closely as he pulled his tuxedo coat over a 9 millimeter pistol that clung to the inside of his jacket. I swallowed whatever insult I was about to hurl at me.
I was determined not to die today at least.
He placed a warm hand on the exposed flesh of my back.
“Let's go.”
\~~~~
The limo ride was luxurious. We sat in the back seat in complete silence as the rest of the world passed by the tinted windows.
I could feel Àlvaro's eyes taking me in, staring at me, evaluating. It was fucking uncomfortable. I wish he'd look away so I could at least have time to gawk at him.
I was nervous and scared at how the evening would turn out. I know he hasn't yet told me where we were going but if it was a mafia event like I suspected, it sure as hell was going to be dangerous. In a few moments from now, I was going to be in a room filled with some of the most dangerous people in the world. Scared was an understatement of how I felt.
“Cami.”
I frowned and looked at him. “What?”
His eyes softened and for a moment, I allowed myself to look at him. I mean, really looked at him.
He was truly beautiful. Not the kind of beautiful like the boys I used to know back in college and I know you weren't supposed to refer to men as beautiful but this man beside me truly was.
He has the kind of beauty that makes you lose your train of thought, the kind that you would remember and think about for the rest of your life. He has that broken kind of beautiful that haunted you and tortured you.
I felt something jolt through me as emotions flooded my mind.
What the fuck am I thinking?
This man may be handsome but that doesn't change the fact that he's a murderer and a kidnapper! Because of him, I'm now a murderer and there's no way I could go back to my life before him now. I was one of them. He made sure of that.
The bastard!
Àlvaro was still staring at me and I felt my heart racing in the way that made me want to scream.
I hated the fact that my body had a mind of its own when it comes in close proximity with Àlvaro.
“W-what?” I asked again, stammering as I tried to collect my thoughts and get my fucking shit together.
He took in a deep breath, every trace of softness gone from his eyes. “We'll be arriving soon and there are a few things you need to know. First, you're to stay with me at all times. No dancing with anyone else, no conversing unless I am there by your side. Secondly, you better not get drunk. I cannot deal with an intoxicated you, not tonight. Thirdly, we both know how much of an irritating individual you are so unless you want to die, don't annoy these people. This is a trade conference.”
Finally! A hint as to what event we were attending. I was relieved to have found that out that I was willing to ignore the fact that he just called me annoying.
Suddenly, it hit me. “You said…dancing? I thought this was a trade conference. Since when do trade conferences require dancing?”
He looked at me smugly. “Well, think of it as a trade…..ball.”
“A ball? Are you fuc—”
He glared at me and my mouth closed instantly. “You really should learn to control your mouth, chica. Granted, people will respect you because you have the markings of the spanish mafia but I have a feeling that your mouth will make them forget that in a second.”
My mouth fell open at his choice of words and suddenly, I felt the car come to a stop. Àlvaro got out of the car and proceeded to open the door for me.
I gasped when I saw the house. It was massive! It stood at least six stories high with armed bodyguards surrounding the perimeter. People all around us were dressed in formal attire, long ball gowns and tuxes.
Àlvaro held out his hand for me and helped me out of the car. My legs wobbled as I focused on not falling on my heels.
“Dammit! Camilla. You better not fuck shit up for me.”
Well, I didn't ask to be brought along, you big oaf!
As we made our way past the crowd of people, they were all staring at us. The men nodded their head in respect to Àlvaro, the women glared at me.
I felt Àlvaro's hand on my arm as we walked into the ball.
The sight of pure money was what hit me first. Hundreds of people stood in the massive ball room, all dressed to the occasion. Body guard lined the entrances, a live orchestra played music on the stage. I continued to stare in pure awe.
Àlvaro led me through the massive room, people stared and I couldn't help but to stare too.
He wore a fierce dark face with eyes that seemed to flash and glitter with savage laughter. All his movements were large and perfectly balanced, his steps were calculated. Each one of his motions were made with complete diction and power.
He could easily be mistaken for a god.
“I forgot to mention.” He whispered into my ear. “I recommend not hiding your accent here. I want it to be known that I'm with a spanish woman.”
I nodded slowly, managing to tear my eyes away from him.
I was so nervous. My lips trembled as I allowed Àlvaro to lead me through the staring crowds of people.
“Àlvaro!”
I turned to see a young man approaching us. He looked to be around Àlvaro's age, in his late twenties.
He was charming enough, with dazzling eyes. He was dressed smartly and smiled at us.
He and Àlvaro shook hands.
“I'm glad you made it and even with a date.”
The man nodded at me kindly and I smiled a little.
“Camilla, this is Anthonio Rodriguez, my childhood friend.”
I smiled as I shook his hand. I noticed the look he gave to Àlvaro.
“So she's the guest? Impressive.” He said as he smiled down at me again. I noticed the look that passed between the both of them but I had no idea what it meant.
They continued to speak, their conversations drifting from simple and polite topics like wine preferences to complex ones like arms dealing. I just stood there, as quiet and polite as I could be. I tried my best to not be annoying.
Anthonio and Àlvaro were in mid conversation when they were suddenly interrupted.
“Àlvaro Castillo.” A spanish voice boomed. I turned to see a man with dark hair and scary eyes. He stood six and a half feet tall. His stature towered over seemingly lesser men, he smiled a bleached white smile. I took in the tattoo that snaked around his arm, a mafia symbol that I hadn't seen before was embroidered into his suit. For some reason, Anthonio quickly faded into the crowd before he could be spotted.
Àlvaro seemed to freeze a little before addressing the man.
Something was fishy.