Chapter 23 -
The dress Rosa had brought for dinner was a deep burgundy, the color of old wine or dried blood. Nia stared at it hanging on the closet door, wondering if the choice was intentional. A warning, perhaps. Or just Rosa's idea of what was appropriate for dining with criminals.
She slipped it on anyway, because what choice did she have? The fabric was soft, expensive, hugging her curves in ways that made her feel both elegant and exposed. She braided her hair loosely over one shoulder, applied the bare minimum of makeup from the small collection someone had thoughtfully included in her things, and took a long look at herself in the mirror.
"You can do this," she whispered to her reflection. "It is just dinner. Just food and conversation and trying not to get murdered. Easy."
Her reflection did not look convinced.
A knock at the door made her jump. "Miss Wallace," Matteo's voice called through. "It is time."
Nia took one more steadying breath, squared her shoulders, and opened the door. Matteo stood in his usual black suit, his face professionally blank, but she caught the brief flicker of approval in his eyes when he saw her.
"You look nice," he said simply.
"Thanks. I feel like I am going to my execution."
"The food is usually good, at least."
"Small comfort."
They walked through the now familiar hallways, though this time Nia noticed details she had missed during her illicit tour with Lucia. The way certain doors had extra locks. The cameras mounted discreetly in corners. The guards stationed at seemingly random intervals, their eyes tracking her movement with cold efficiency.
This was not a home. It was a fortress.
The dining room doors loomed ahead, and Nia could already hear voices from inside. Multiple voices. More than just the immediate family.
Matteo paused at the entrance. "Miss Wallace," he said quietly. "Whatever happens in there tonight, keep your head down. Do not engage unless spoken to directly. And whatever you do, do not trust Santiago Estrella."
Nia's stomach dropped. "Who?"
But Matteo was already opening the door, ushering her inside before she could ask more questions.
The dining room was even more oppressive than usual. The massive table stretched before her, set with crystal and silver that caught the light from the chandelier above. The same faces she was beginning to know occupied their usual seats. Leo at the head, his expression carved from granite. Christian to his right, looking as coldly beautiful and dangerous as ever. Lucia across from him, her amber eyes meeting Nia's with a brief flash of encouragement. Micheal further down, offering her a subtle nod.
But there was someone new.
He sat directly across from where Matteo was guiding Nia to sit, and she felt his eyes on her before she even looked at him properly. When she did, her breath caught.
Santiago Estrella was handsome in a way that set off alarm bells. Too smooth. Too polished. His dark hair was swept back perfectly, his olive skin flawless, his smile practiced and charming. But his eyes, dark and calculating, reminded her of a snake sizing up prey.
"So," he said as she sat down, his voice rich and warm like honey laced with poison. "You are the famous Nia Wallace."
Nia forced herself to meet his gaze, keeping her expression neutral. "I was not aware I was famous."
"Oh, but you are." His smile widened, showing perfect white teeth. "The woman who captured the attention of our dear Enforcer. The mysterious connection to the bastard we are looking for. Everyone has been talking about you."
"How flattering." Her voice came out drier than she intended.
Santiago laughed, a smooth sound that felt rehearsed. "I like her already, Leo. She has spirit."
At the head of the table, Leo's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. His gray eyes flickered between Santiago and Nia, and she saw something dark flash across his face. Irritation. Maybe even anger. But when he spoke, his voice was perfectly controlled.
"Santiago. I was not aware you were joining us tonight."
"The Don invited me." Santiago gestured casually down the table to where Don Emilio sat, looking older and more tired than the last time Nia had seen him. "He wanted an update on certain matters. I thought it would be more civilized to discuss over dinner rather than in some stuffy office."
"How thoughtful," Leo said, and Nia did not miss the edge in his tone.
Lucia caught Nia's eye across the table and gave the tiniest shake of her head. A warning. Nia swallowed and looked down at her empty plate, trying to make herself invisible.
The servers began bringing food, an elaborate spread that Nia's nervous stomach had no interest in. She took small portions of everything, pushing food around her plate to give the appearance of eating.
"Miss Wallace," Santiago said, drawing her attention back to him. "I understand you worked as a waitress before all this. That must have been quite the change, going from serving food to dining in places like this."
The comment was designed to embarrass her, to put her in her place. Nia felt heat creep up her neck, but she kept her voice steady. "It was honest work. I am not ashamed of it."
"Oh, of course not." Santiago's smile did not reach his eyes. "I admire people who work hard for their living. So rare these days, especially in our world."
"Santiago," Lucia said sharply. "Perhaps you could focus on your own plate and let Nia eat in peace."
"My apologies." He inclined his head in mock contrition. "I did not mean to make our guest uncomfortable. I am simply curious about the woman who has everyone so intrigued."
"There is nothing intriguing about me," Nia said quietly. "I am just someone in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Somehow I doubt that." Santiago took a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving her face. "Leo does not bring just anyone into his home. You must be quite important to the investigation."
Before Nia could respond, Don Emilio's voice cut through the conversation like a blade through silk. "Santiago. Report."
All eyes turned to the old man at the end of the table. He had barely touched his food, his weathered hands folded in front of him, his black eyes sharp despite his age.
Santiago straightened, his charming facade shifting into something more professional. "Of course, Don Emilio. Our search for Alex Navarro has expanded to neighboring cities. We have people checking bus stations, train terminals, anywhere someone might go to disappear. So far, nothing concrete, but we are following several promising leads."
"And the other one?" Don Emilio's gaze flickered to Nia.
"More difficult," Santiago admitted. "Without a last name or solid description, we are working blind. But we have put out feelers with our contacts. If he exists, we will find him."
"See that you do." The Don's voice was tired but held steel underneath. "I want answers. I want justice for Andrea. And I want it soon."
"You will have it," Santiago promised. "I swear on my honor."
Leo made a sound that might have been a scoff, so quiet Nia almost missed it. But Santiago heard it. His eyes cut to Leo, and for just a second, Nia saw naked hatred flash across his face before the charming mask slid back into place.
"Do you have something to add, Leonardo?" Santiago's voice was pleasant, but the undercurrent was sharp.
"Only that we have been searching for weeks with little to show for it." Leo's tone was carefully neutral. "Perhaps it is time to consider other approaches."
"What other approaches?" Don Emilio demanded. "The girl knows something. Make her talk."
All eyes turned to Nia. She felt her mouth go dry, her heart hammering against her ribs.
"I have told you everything I know," she said, hating how small her voice sounded. "Alex is my ex boyfriend. He cheated on me. That is all I can tell you because that is all I know."
"Convenient," Santiago murmured.
"It is the truth."
"Truth is subjective," Santiago said with that smooth smile. "Especially when your life depends on it."
"That is enough." Leo's voice cut through the tension like a whip crack. "She has been cooperative. Pushing her will not make new information materialize."
Santiago raised his hands in surrender. "I am merely suggesting we might need to be more persuasive. The Don deserves answers, and time is running out."
The implied threat hung in the air. Nia felt sick.
Lucia spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "She has been here for days, Santiago. If she knew something useful, do you not think Leo would have extracted it by now? He is the Enforcer, after all. If anyone knows how to get information, it is him."
"Perhaps the Enforcer has gone soft," Santiago suggested, his eyes gleaming with malice.
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Christian actually looked up from his plate, his blue eyes narrowing. Micheal stopped eating entirely. And Leo went very, very still.
"Careful," Leo said softly. "You are a guest in my home."
"And you serve at the pleasure of the Don," Santiago countered. "Or have you forgotten?"
"Enough!" Don Emilio slammed his hand on the table, making silverware jump. "I will not have my family tearing itself apart over this. Santiago, you will show respect. Leonardo, you will find results. And Miss Wallace," his dark eyes pinned her in place, "you will pray that your ex boyfriend surfaces soon. Because my patience is not infinite."
Silence fell over the table, heavy and oppressive. Nia could barely breathe. Her hands were shaking in her lap, and she clasped them together to hide it.
The rest of dinner passed in tense quiet. Nia forced down a few bites, aware that Santiago was still watching her with that calculating gaze. Leo's jaw remained tight, his knuckles white around his fork. Whatever history existed between him and Santiago, it was poisonous.
Finally, mercifully, the meal ended. Don Emilio stood, signaling the dinner was over. People began to rise and disperse.
Nia started to stand as well, but Santiago was suddenly there beside her chair, too close, his hand resting on the back of it in a way that felt possessive.
"Miss Wallace," he said, his voice low and intimate. "I hope we will have more chances to talk. I find you absolutely fascinating."
Before she could respond, a hand clamped down on Santiago's shoulder. Leo stood there, his face a mask of cold fury barely held in check.
"She is under my protection," Leo said quietly. "Which means she is off limits to you. Permanently."
Santiago's smile turned razor sharp. "Of course, Leonardo. I meant no disrespect."
"See that you remember that."
They stared at each other for a long, charged moment. Then Santiago stepped back, gave Nia a small bow, and walked away, leaving a chill in his wake. Leo looked down at Nia, his gray eyes unreadable. "Matteo will take you back to your room."
"Leo, I..."
"Now."
He walked away without another word, leaving Nia standing there with her heart pounding and her mind reeling.
Matteo appeared at her elbow. "Come on, Miss Wallace. It is best not to linger."
As they left the dining room, Nia glanced back over her shoulder. Santiago stood near the windows, staring out at the grounds. But reflected in the glass, she could see he was actually watching her.
And he was smiling.
A cold, calculated smile that made her blood run ice cold.
Back in her room, Nia collapsed onto the bed, her entire body shaking. She had just survived another dinner with the DeSanto family. But she had also just made an enemy far more dangerous than she realized.
Because Santiago Estrella was not just another member of the organization.
He was a predator.
And Nia was trapped in his hunting ground.