It had been a month since we returned to Mexico. Maximo had me moved into a private room. The room had a small staircase to the loft, a large closet, bathroom, and sitting area with a TV. He had a guard posted at my door and I was not allowed to leave the house. Ever since I “embarrassed” him, he has kept me on lockdown. If I wanted to go to the kitchen, I was escorted, to the pool, escorted. I felt like a prisoner in my own home.
Maximo had meetings almost every night with different members of the cartel. They discussed business and how to proceed with operations. The guard would drag me to the dining room to say goodnight to Maximo on these nights, for appearances, so nobody would think there was ‘trouble in paradise.’
I dreaded waking up every day. I had no purpose. I could barely run my own businesses. I had so many unread emails about my clubs, my farm, and my distillery. I had Claire take on more than she could chew with my business while I tried to regain my confidence and independence from Maximo.
He didn’t come visit me like he did in the beginning. In the beginning he visited me every night and tried to sleep with me. We always ended up fighting so he would leave. He stopped visiting after the second week of that.
Nobody but Claire, the maid, and Maximo were allowed to visit me in my room. Maximo forbid James or Miles to visit me, my own security detail.
I did try to buy the building in LA but was told it had already been sold to some bullshit company I’m sure Maximo made up to overpower me. I shook it off quickly and looked for properties in Miami. Before I buy a new property, I need to get my other businesses in line and prospering. Whatever Maximo said and had over me, he couldn’t hold his money over me, I had my own.
I closed my laptop after answering some emails, signing checks, and sending money transfers. I was tired even though it was only early afternoon. I need a haircut, manicure, and pedicure. I walked down the steps and knocked on the door. A large man in a black suit answered. “What?”
“I need to talk to my husband.” He huffed but escorted me to Jesus’s old office. Maximo was hunched over the desk, writing. He didn’t look up when I walked in.
“I’d like to go get my hair and nails done.”
“Why do you think I care?” He scolded.
“I know you don’t care, but you won’t let me leave this prison of a house, so I am asking you to let me go get my hair and nails done.” He still had not looked at me. “You know, babe, I still don’t know exactly it is that I did to make you treat me like I’m worthless, but if this is going to continue, I’d like to go home where I can walk around my house unattended.” I slammed the door shut. He finally looked up at me.
“Fallon, I don’t give a fuck what you do.” He stood up and walked towards me. “But you are not leaving me.” He had backed me up against the door to the office. He put his arms over my head against the door and pushed his chest into me.
“Then maybe you should treat me like your wife and not a prisoner.” I turned my head away so I couldn’t feel his breath on my face anymore. He smelt of cigarettes and whiskey. He jerked my chin up and towards him.
“Don’t look away from me.” He ran his finger along my face. I closed my eyes. “Look at me!” He yelled into my face.
“Maximo, please, stop.” He backed away from me, he was mad. He threw something off the desk, and it shattered on the wall. I ran over to pick it up. It was a picture of his father, mother, and him on a boat.
“Get out.” He hissed. I didn’t move. I stood up and looked at him.
“I’m tired of this, Maximo. Either you can tolerate me or not, but I’m not dealing with you acting like a fool anymore.” I took the picture and slapped it on the desk and walked out. I heard him scream under his breath as I was walking towards my room. I started to walk faster because I feared he might follow me, I was right. He came stomping out of the office.
“Fallon! Get back here!” He chased after me. I started to run but he caught me before I could get in the door to my new room. He slammed into me and pushed me into the wall. I let out a slight ‘omf’ as my front slammed into the wall. He grabbed me and spun me around, slamming his lips onto mine. He pushed me into my room and closed the door behind us. He pushed me up the stairs to the bed and threw me on the bed. I didn’t dare fight him.
“Maximo, slow down.” I pleaded. He was trying to pull my shirt off. “Maximo!” I screamed. He finally stopped. “Slow down.” He sat back on his heels and put his face into his hands.
“I’m sorry.” He finally said after what felt like an eternity. “I just don’t know what to do.” I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Do about what?” I asked shyly.
“You pissed off a very important member of my business, Fallon. He got my father and the entire board involved in the business workings. That’s why we had to come back here so suddenly and that’s why you’re in here instead of with me.” He finally made eye contact with me. “I have to ‘punish’ you for disobeying the ‘family.’” He rolled onto his back.
“I’m sorry, Maximo. I didn’t know.” I finally said. He gave me a slight smile, but he was still tense. I leaned over and kissed him softly. We had not touched each other in a month. The last time he did touch me, he had shoved his fingers down my throat, choking me. He rolled over and touched my face.
“I’ve missed you.” He said softly before kissing me back and pulling me into his chest.