"I don't know if I can trust him even though every part of my body craves his touch."
"He's probably the only man in his position that you can fully trust. That's something you need to keep in mind."
There had to be more to the story. "Then help me understand him. Tell me why I can trust him when he's keeping me prisoner."
"Have you fully understood what's at stake here? Do you comprehend at all what would happen if anyone attempted to muscle in on the hold the Garcia family has on the South? There would be streams of blood in the street, families destroyed and the kind of violence that no one will be able to control. What the Garcia family has done from the moment his father took over for one disgusting pig of a human being was to provide decent jobs and wages for his employees. His father fought the various gangs in the streets, building an army as well as a reputation. The honor the family has brought to so many is tremendous."
There was no one in Cuba who would talk about my father's reign in that manner. "You make his criminal world sound appetizing."
She cocked her head, her upper lip curling. "Listen to me because I'm not saying this twice. I was a strung-out kid on the streets, my father in prison and my mother dying of AIDS. I didn't give a shit about life. One night I stole money from Miguel because I was running away from an asshole I owed. I learned later that Miguel was back in town visiting during Christmas break from college. I had no idea who the fuck he was. There I heard some girls talking about how important and dangerous he was. When two of his goons found me, I realized I was dead meat. I figured they were taking me to some abandoned warehouse to kill me, dumping my body in the ocean."
The conviction in her voice was intense.
"No amount of begging or pleading seemed to work. When they put me in a fancy hotel with instructions to take a shower and rest, I was certain they were going to rape me or worse. When I got out, there was a new set of clothes and more food than I'd seen in months from room service. I knew the two men were outside the entire night. I ate and slept in a real bed, still expecting a bullet in my head."
"What happened?"
"Miguel came to see me early in the morning, making certain I was all right. He said he cleared the debt I owed the jerkoff and all he asked in return was that I keep clean."
"His rules for kindness," I whispered, uncertain where the story was going.
"You don't get it. Miguel rented an apartment for me for six months. He helped me land a job, even got me enrolled in the local college. He had people looking out for me and he never asked for anything else. He gave me my life back. I've been drug free since that very night. I'll never forget what he said on the day I graduated from college with a degree in business administration. By then I was able to pay it forward. I've been with him since that very day and I don't regret a thing."
I was floored by the story, my heart racing. "That's... incredible."
"Don't get me wrong, Valencia. Miguel Garcia is a very dangerous man, capable of doing horrific things, but he is also the kindest man I've ever met. His family and especially his niece mean more to him than anything. I've never seen a man so devoted. I suggest you consider giving him a break. There are reasons why he decided to bring you into his home and his life that have nothing to do with revenge."
Niece. Another shiver trickled down my spine, my mouth dry as I thought about her words. "I know you need to get me back but before we leave the area, there's one more thing I'd like to do. I promise I won't try and run." Revenge.
The word continued to revolve in my mind all the way back to Miguel's penthouse. The other word was trust. A part of me wanted nothing more than to trust him, but something was holding me back, as if I was Cinderella waiting for the glass slipper to shatter. Just like everything else had in my life.
Sylvie merely helped me bring the things inside, checking the penthouse before she'd allow me to set two feet further than the foyer. Given the all clear, only then did she leave, promising to remain by the door until Miguel returned. She was all business once again, taking her work very seriously. I had no doubt she'd make certain that Miguel knew all about my disobedience.
At least my conversation with Sylvie had provided more valued information about Miguel than all the searches I'd done on the internet. I studied the small foil bag I'd purchased, adjusting the gold ribbon not once but twice. I'd already signed the card, although it had taken me some time to prepare the words, my mind jumbled with Sylvie's story. The gift was nothing much, but I hoped it would be an olive branch of sorts.
While I hadn't been forbidden to enter his office, I felt guilty for going inside, walking softly as I headed toward his desk. I placed the gift in the center of the smooth wood, once again fluffing the bow, as if that would matter in the least to a man as powerful as Miguel. I had no way of knowing whether the symbol would touch his heart, but I felt better about my decision.
As I took the packages to my room, I noticed the door was half open to another room. They'd all been closed before. I don't know why I was shaking as I walked toward it. There was no reason for him to honor his promise to me, but the moment I took a single step past the doorway, I was in shock.
Not only was my beautiful cello positioned in a place of protection, but there was a baby grand in front of the sprawling set of windows. There were also recording devices, incredible speakers, and the finest equipment I'd ever seen. I was floored, turning in circle after circle to try to take in everything.
He'd given me my own recording studio, a place where I could continue studying, even reaching out to producers and music directors and... The shock quickly wore off, the realization that my playing would only be a hobby, a pastime. Still, as I ran my fingers over the ebony surface of the piano before walking to my beloved instrument, a tweak of true love filtered into my mind.
I was a fool to think we could share the kind of love I'd always hoped for, but maybe there was room for something special. Maybe.
I was unable to resist, my longing to play something that I'd been missing even for only the couple of days since the concert. I was almost numb as I walked toward the instrument, taking my time as I sat down on the stool he'd selected. Everything was just perfect. The moment I picked up the bow, I fell into a lull, my mind fully cleansed, a wash of peace unlike anything I'd experienced in what seemed like forever.
Within minutes, I was lost in the music, pushing aside the horrors of my real life. The adrenaline flowed, the piece chosen a much darker selection that I'd played for the symphony. I was aggressive in my methodology, my hand wrapped tightly around the bow. Every chord was one of my heartbeats, stealing my breath as I worked through the piece I knew by heart. I kept my eyes closed, burning with energy until I reached the very last haunting note.
I didn't expect the voracious hand clapping and jerked up, almost knocking over the cello. Miguel's face held such reverence, his eyes shining with pride. He walked further into the room, his hand on his heart. "That was... amazing."
"I didn't think that you'd allow me to have my music."
He inched closer, issuing a deep breath. "I may be a hard man but I'm not a complete monster. Your music is very important to you, so it is to me as well."
"Thank you."
The way he pinched my chin as he'd done before, lifting my head until I was forced to look into his eyes forced a quiver straight into my pussy. "Granted, I'm certain you heard what happened while Sylvie and I were out."
He lifted his eyebrows and I realized just how exhausted he seemed. "We'll talk about your disobedience over dinner. We have reservations at one of my favorite restaurants tonight."
"You're taking me out?"
This time, he chuckled. "You seem surprised."
"Perhaps I am. There's obvious danger everywhere, even though I hate that I have to live that way."
"While that may be the case, I doubt anyone would be so brazen as to attempt an assassination in the middle of a crowded restaurant. You're not going to spend your entire life fearful, I assure you. Just right now, we need to be cautious."
"Well, especially since we know that my father couldn't care less about me or my welfare. Why not just kill me?"
A shadow fell across his face.
"What is it?" I asked, knowing I wouldn't get an answer.
"I think you're worth more alive than dead."