Chapter 11 Solid Reason
CARLOS POV
I watched her sleep, her face soft and still, the kind of peace that reminded me of bee wings trembling on a flower just after the rain.
Her fingers were wrapped around mine, lightly, like she wasn’t even aware of it, and I didn’t pull away. I don’t know why. Maybe it felt good, the way she trusted me. Or maybe it just felt right.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the quiet. I sighed and pulled it out to check the message. One glance was enough to make me groan. I slid the phone back into my pocket, gently slipped my hand from hers, and walked out of the room.
Outside, the evening air hit me as I spotted Brad and Alexander standing by the gate, grinning like the idiots they are.
I hate working with men who have no shame like them. I rolled my eyes in annoyance as I walked toward them.
"I hope our little show was good enough for you, Carlos," Brad said, his grin smug.
I scoffed. "Next time, don’t fucking text me. We had an agreement. No calls, no messages so stick to it."
Brad raised his hands. "Got it. I just want what you promised. That’s all."
I pulled the wad of cash from my pocket and handed it to him. "This should cover everything," I said
He took it without hesitation, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Thanks, man."
"I don’t want to see you here again. Got it?"
"Of course, Carlos. You won’t."
"Good. Now leave my house."
He turned to go, but halfway through, he paused and looked back at me. "Can I ask you something?"
I raised a brow but I didn’t respond. Regardless, he continued "Why did you make us do that?"
Still I didn’t respond and he added, "I mean she’s your wife, you know, you just married her, why did you hire us to do that to her?"
His question flipped a switch in me. I stared at him, silent and cold. Then I said, "What the fuck makes you think you can ask me anything?"
"I just thought—" He began, but I was already on him. My hands locked around his neck, dragging him close like a ragdoll.
"Your job was to do what I paid for. No talking. No questions!" I growled
He gasped, struggling in my grip.
"I’m sorry," Brad choked out, his voice tight with panic. "I didn’t mean anything by it."
Alex stepped forward, eyes wide with fear.
"Carlos, please. Let him go. He didn’t mean it. He’s just nervous, that’s all."
I didn’t flinch. I pressed harder. Brad’s hands clawed at my arm. "Please," He coughed. "Carlos, I’m sorry. I swear I won’t say anything again. Just let me go."
I waited. Let the fear sink in. Then I shoved him back. He stumbled, coughing hard, holding up his hands in surrender.
"I was just curious, I meant no harm, I’m sorry." He whispered.
I moved in again, our eyes locked.
"I don’t need your curiosity," I said, voice low. "If you ever ask me a question again, you won’t walk away. Do you understand?"
He nodded quickly, lips trembling.
"Good."
I stepped back. He quickly turned and rushed to leave the house. Alex followed, silent and pale.
I looked at the security guard by the gate. "Make sure I never see them around here again."
"Yes sir," He replied, standing straighter.
I didn’t speak again. I just watched them disappear
I walked back into the house and headed straight to the library to meet my father. Walking in, as usual I saw him sitting on the armchair reading a book.
He never gets tired of reading. If only I could pick up his habit of reading, I would have been great like him.
"Still not done with the book?" I asked approaching him
He looked up slowly, his face unreadable, then shut the book with a decisive snap.
"What brings you here Carlos?"
One thing about my father—he’s always straightforward. He cares only about results. Small talk doesn’t interest him.
"Step one is done," I said sitting next to him. "She trusts me… or at least she believes she can."
He smirked, eyes sharp. "She won’t trust you that easily. She can only convince herself you have a good heart." He set the book aside and reached for a piece of paper nearby, his gaze narrowing. "Nala may be a fool, but never forget whose daughter she is."
"You’re right," I said. "But don’t worry. I know exactly what I’m doing."
"I’m not worried at all," He said as he wrote something on the paper. "I’m just letting you know what you should know. The real deal is getting her to believe she’s in control. Because when she thinks she’s running the game, that’s when she lets her guard down."
I met his eyes, feeling the weight behind his words.
He continued, "She’s would want to leave soon but you have to give her a reason not to. The whole marriage thing and threat will only last a couple of weeks but you need to give her a reason, something that would shatter her when she thinks of leaving."
"What exactly should that be?" I asked.
A small smirk curled on his lips as he folded the paper and set it aside. "You’ll have to figure it out yourself because It’s coming sooner than you think."
I nodded slowly, then fell silent, lost in thought, trying to piece together what I needed to do next.
He studied me for a moment, then asked, "What about Fiona and Richard?"
"They’re not an issue," I said firmly. "They can’t get to Nala, no matter what."
His gaze sharpened. "Good. But can she get to them?"
"No," I replied without hesitation. "I’ll make sure of that."
He nodded slowly, then removed his reading glasses, folding them with care.
"Good. Now, you need to prepare for what comes next. It’s far more dangerous than this. If you’re not ready, you’ll slip up."
"I won’t," I said, locking eyes with him.
He stood up and I did too. "Goodnight, Carlos. I’ll see you in the morning." He said. With that he walked out of the room.