And the deal that would send me straight to hell.
Mostly... I hated myself.
"You can hate me. You can fear me. But you will surrender to me. Your body. Your soul. And your heart." Miguel
Consequences.
I'd issued the word as if I expected Valencia would follow my commands without question. I'd forgotten how feisty she could be, almost haughty in her disposition. She was her father's daughter after all.
Hate.
She could hate me. There was enough of that going around, only the kind of abhorrence I had for Santiago as well as Kostya was far more intense.
I was incensed, enraged with myself for taking any chances with her safety. I didn't believe in consequences and the fact Castillo had been at the event should have issued enough of a warning. He was merely a hired gun for one or both of the men. Perhaps her life had been saved by my interference.
Only after she'd disobeyed me in every manner. Then again, the incident could have been nothing more than a warning, Santiago anticipating my actions, even taunting me. For a man losing his daughter, he certainly hadn't seemed surprised.
Had he already made a secondary deal with someone else? I doubted that person would be Kostya. The methods of organization were far above the Russian's head. However, if Kostya was working for someone who wanted to take over the entire East Coast, moving into Aleksei's territory after stripping away at my family's, the Russian would certainly find the latest information helpful.
Still, what I knew about Castillo indicated he was a crack shot, having never missed any target. Killing Valencia should have been an easy job, the thought further fueling various interesting ideas, including the fact her death had never been the intent.
A warning and nothing more.
I had no doubts Cordero and his soldiers would find Castillo and when they did, the asshole would tell me everything. I had to find a way to get through to Valencia. She would not be used as a pawn in a dangerous game.
"The man chasing you is dangerous. I assure you that he will attempt to kill you again." I couldn't tell whether my words resonated.
Sighing, she gave me a quick glance, remaining quiet.
"Do you understand what I'm saying? He is a true assassin, a man who doesn't give a shit whether or not you're a kingpin's daughter or even a woman. Before he kills you, he will likely use your body in ways that will sicken and disgust you. Then the party really begins. When your body is delivered back to your father, there will be little left to identify."
"If you're trying to scare me, it's not working. I've heard my father rail against men who betrayed him more than once."
"Goddamn it!" I slammed my hand against the steering wheel, stars floating in front of my eyes.
As I pulled to a stop, turning my head slowly, her only answer was a distinct roll of her eyes.
"Who are your father's enemies?" I asked, the tone far more demanding that I wanted.
"You mean other than you?"
Fuck! We were getting nowhere.
I sighed as the lights of the city drifted by on both sides. She had her head against the passenger door glass, never muttering a single word since being shoved into the car. I understood her reactions, her need for self-preservation, but I wasn't going to accept wallowing in self-pity.
Maybe I was second-guessing my decisions and actions far too much. I studied the rearview mirror before I made the last turn toward my penthouse. While the security was tight, no one allowed in or out with direction confirmation, I wasn't taking any chances until I had a handle on the situation.
With Cordero and Enrique standing guard, I would have an opportunity to make some calls. I could also take my time with the lovely wild child. My cock continued to ache thinking about beginning her training, enticing her full surrender.
What the hell was I thinking? I would demand she succumb to me in every manner. She had no choice, her life now belonging to the one man who would peel away the layers she'd hidden underneath for years. However, absolute obedience was needed without question. I held my breath, imagining once again all the vile and filthy acts I'd have her perform.
I'd seen a mere glimpse of the woman locked within a gilded cage and while she didn't believe I'd just set her free, she would learn soon enough. Not all cages were made of steel.
"What about my things?" she finally asked. Still rebellious, remnants of being a pampered child.
"Clothes can be purchased. When I allow you to wear any." I tipped my head in her direction, making certain my gaze was cold and collected.
"Jesus. You're a pig."
I resisted chuckling at her apparent attempt to rile me. "You have nothing of importance, Valencia."
"My cello!" she snapped. "I refuse to live my life without my music. If you give a shit about me then you'll allow me to collect what rightfully belongs to me. Unless you're nothing but an absolute monster."
I hadn't thought about her musical instrument. I debated the option of purchasing a new one for her, a less stressful event. I knew that wouldn't be sufficient. "I will have one of my men pick it up for you, but only if you decide to obey me."
"Obey. I can't believe this," she half whispered.
"You will learn that my rules will not only keep you alive but also provide every aspect of those kinky desires you've been afraid to face."
"Fine. Whatever. I'll try and learn to be your lap dog."
Her defiance could easily cause her to make a mistake. She needed to learn a lesson in holding her tongue as well as taking the situation seriously. As I moved toward the long driveway leading the underground garage, she leaned forward, staring up at the massive high-rise.
"Such greed in this country," she said in an offhanded manner.
"What about your father's estate? The food wasted in that household could feed several starving families."