"I'll give you a hint, princess. I have no need to stalk anyone. Even with our limited time together, you should have realized that."
"Such a jerk," she said under her breath.
I had no doubt her father had attempted to paint a violent series of lies in her mind after our time together. I would expect nothing less.
"Perhaps. Can't I simply enjoy a show, including the sight of a beautiful woman?"
While there was a hint of fear in her eyes, she shifted her emotions into anger and frustration. "I know you well enough to realize you have an agenda."
"An agenda."
"Yes," she whispered hoarsely, her lovely mouth twisting, her eyes darting around her. Was she searching for someone to protect her?
"If you must know, I'm collecting on the final terms of the deal I made with your father." I noticed she was reaching for her clutch, no doubt in an attempt to notify Santiago of my presence. That meant either he or his minions were close. I merely placed my hand on top of hers, giving her a stern look. "You see, Valencia, your father betrayed me. For that he must pay a price."
"What price?" she hissed, her entire body shaking.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the premier event in Miami!" The announcer's booming voice cut through the conversations in the room, shimmering lights flashing in every direction.
The applause was deafening, the music shifting to a primal beat.
I slid my arm around the back of her chair, leaning in and whispering in her ear, "You. You now belong to me." I allowed the words to sink in. Her lovely face drained of all color.
"No. Fucking. Way. You're lying."
"I never lie about business," I continued, brushing my lips across her ear. When she shuddered visibly, my cock twitched yet again. "Now, I suggest we enjoy the show then you will follow me without making a scene. Is that understood?"
She shifted her gaze back toward the stage, whispered words slipping past her pursed mouth.
"When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will obey. Now, do. You. Understand?"
Another five seconds passed, enough so I knew a harsh punishment would be in order when we were alone.
"Yes," she snapped, refusing to look in my direction. She was her father's daughter. Following my command wasn't something she was considering. Running was. I couldn't wait to have her body writhing under mine.
"Excellent. You can be obedient." I sat back, still able to catch glimpses of her as she fumed, obviously uncertain of how to react. I paid no attention to the show and I could see she had no interest in acknowledging my presence. I allowed myself to envision all the filthy things I was going to do to her, the very dark proclivities Castillo mentioned rushing to the surface. As the scent of her perfume wafted into my nostrils, the fire from before was rekindled, my hunger off the charts.
Sitting through forty-five minutes of the show was interminable, testing my last resolve. I'd felt the vibrations of my phone not once but twice. For anyone to bother me meant there was significant news.
When the intermission occurred, my patience level was shot. "It's time, Valencia. If you make a scene, your punishment will be worse."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because a deal is a deal." Without further hesitation, I took her by the hand, leading her away from the stage.
"What are you doing? The show isn't finished," she half whispered in a strangled manner, struggling to pull out of my grasp. "I'm not going with you. You're insane."
I shifted my arm around her waist, holding her tightly against me, keeping my tone as even as possible. "You don't seem to understand that your father made a deal. The business is simple. He faltered on the terms. Nothing more. Nothing less."
"He wouldn't use me as part of some crazy deal, unless it's with the devil." She pushed hard against me. "Then again, maybe you are the devil in sophisticated clothes."
Her rebellious nature had a bite to it this time, enticing the fuck out of me. I couldn't wait to get her behind locked doors.
I lowered my head, drinking in her perfume, almost intoxicated from the exotic fragrance. "He was made aware of the terms and he accepted them, much like he offered you for one night as a token of entering into business together. He not only destroyed that relationship, he garnered the wrath of both myself and my family."
"So... What does that mean exactly, another night with you?" Her voice wavered, the reality possibly settling in.
"That means that as of today, you're my property to do with what I want, when I want."
"You really are a monster."
"Princess, you have no idea. Your father fucked with the wrong man. Make no mistake. I am a dangerous man. You are mine to use. To train. To discipline. To fuck. Period. I suggest you get that through that pretty little head of yours."
As we walked out the set of doors, the valet was quick to respond. With one hand firmly wrapped around her arm, I used the other to pull the phone from my pocket, maneuvering to the two voicemails that had been left.
"I will kill you for this," she said in a casual manner. "You may think I'm weak, but you have no idea what I'm made of."
"Princess, I look forward to seeing you try." Enrique's two messages were exactly what I wanted to hear. I'd been right in my assumptions. Santiago was merely blocks away, having dinner at one of the finest restaurants in South Beach. I made the return call as I inhaled the night air, the incredible scents of the city I loved so dearly. When Enrique answered, I gave a simple command. "Meet me in the parking garage in five minutes."
"Yes, sir," he answered without reservation.
"Asshole. Bastard. Jerk. Creep. I should scream."
"That won't do you any good, princess. No one will come to your defense. Not in my city." My words were meant to be dark, foreboding.
While she didn't struggle as I secured her in the car, the moment I eased into the driver's seat, I grabbed her purse.
"What are you doing?" Her inquiry was another aphrodisiac.