Chapter 22 Camilla’s Pov
It took more than a week for me to stop having nightmares about the intruder. It's not always him, sometimes it's someone else, not being able to reach the gun in time. Other times I do reach the gun in time and I relive what I did all over again. Then I wake up flustered and sick to my stomach.
I've tried to take what Àlvaro said to me with a pinch of salt, about not allowing the ordeal to eat me alive. But I couldn't help that it kept haunting my dreams and forcing me to experience the whole thing again and again and again.
I've been in Àlvaro's room since that fateful day. It was almost like he gave up his room for me because I couldn't tell where he sleeps at night.
Santiago poked his head into the room and smiled when he saw that I was already up and placed a hot cup of coffee for me on the nightstand.
“You look a lot less like you fought a ghost in your sleep." He said, smirking.
"Better dreams." I replied. Although I didn't explain that the dream had been of Àlvaro.
Last night was the first time I dreamt of something normal. Well, almost normal, if you can place the word normal and Àlvaro in the same sentence.
Santiago didn't push like he would normally do but when I asked about going back to training, he shut me down completely.
“Hell no. Your ribs are a mess. Sergei might be fucking stupid for making a move on you but I definitely am not. Àlvaro will kill me."
His words dug up the question I had been holding on my tongue for quite a while since the incident.
“Do you think Sergei would try to get at me twice?” I asked with a low voice.
His expression told me everything before he even spoke.
"If I'm being honest, I have no idea." He finally said. "But trust me, we're not gonna let him get close even if he tries."
After Santiago left, the silence became unbearable so I proceeded to take a shower in Àlvaro's bathroom. I don't know why but the simple routine made me feel closer and connected to him.
After showering, I headed downstairs for some food. What I didn't expect was to find Àlvaro at the kitchen counter, deeply focused on whatever was glowing on his laptop screen. His tight white t-shirt clinged to his every muscle, accentuating his biceps to make them look ridiculously big.
His gaze flicked up to me as I moved towards him.
Harriet immediately poured me a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and I perched myself on the stool opposite Àlvaro. His eyes were still on me, dark but not as cold and sinister as I have seen them in the past.
“How are you feeling?” He asked in a low tone that sent heat craving all over my skin.
"I'm fine." I muttered, even though I wasn't sure that it was entirely true.
His eyes flicked down my body again in that familiar quick, sharp and accesing way, making me acutely aware that I was wearing one of his shirts.
"You look tired." He murmured as his gaze dropped to my hands that were grabbing my glass, then slowly rose again with a heat that made me forget about air. "I really don't like seeing you so shaken."
A slow tension uncoiled inside me. "How would you know? You've barely looked at me all week." I retorted.
He stayed completely still and for a moment neither of us breathed.
Slowly, he closed his laptop and my stomach fluttered at the intense look in his eyes.
"That's because.." He started, voice dropping. "Whenever I look at you, the only thing I can think of is spreading those legs and pounding that tight little pussy of yours with my dick."
Despite the disrespect in his words, heat pooled down my core.
Then he stood up, moving closer to me. He rested one hand on the counter and leaned forward slightly, our lips mere inches apart.
"You're in my room, sleeping on my bed, wearing my clothes—" His jaw tightened. "I don't fucking want to get distracted by all that."
My heartbeat thundered so loudly I was sure he could hear it. Blood rolled in my veins.
"How dare you?! I didn't fucking ask for any of this!"
"No." He murmured. "But I know if I put my hand down that pussy right now, it'd come out dripping." He said as he looked down at my lips, slowly and deliberately.
My breath caught in my throat.
He didn't touch me but he didn't have to. It was embarrassing to admit but everything he just said, was true.
Abruptly, he stepped back. "I have a meeting." He said, clearing his throat.
He picked up his laptop and started walking away but as he got to the exit, he paused by the doorway, his shoulders tense.
"Try not to get into any more trouble while I'm gone." He said without even turning to me and then he walked off.
I turned to see Harriet staring at me with a worried look in her eyes but immediately she saw me looking, she hurriedly started cleaning a surface she had cleaned almost ten times in two seconds.
I would've laughed if I wasn't so angry, embarrassed and overwhelmed with emotions.
Àlvaro Castillo
I walked in through the backdoor of my club, The Enigma where an old business associate who was always a pleasure to work with, agreed to meet with me for a private meeting.
I arranged this meeting with Anthonio so I could start putting together the plan I have for Sergei and his Russian scums.
I practically grew up in the streets with Anthonio. We bonded over our harsh realities but it benefited us in the long run.
Anthonio knew Sergei, equally despised Sergei and that's where he fell into my plan.
I walked into the VIP private room where I held most of my sensitive meetings. Exactly where Anthonio was already waiting for me.
“Àlvaro Castillo." He greeted, his voice deep and amused. "I heard rumors you were becoming soft."
My eyes fell on Anthonio, bigger than I last saw him. He filled out the suit he wore with his broad shoulders and big arms. He flashed me a smile as he swiped his hand across his hair.
I scoffed. "You should know better."
We sat across from each other in the room and it slowly dawned on me that this was the exact same room where I first met Camilla. The memory of that fateful night clawed at the back of my mind but I shoved it down.
"So why am I here, Àlvaro?" Anthonio asked, his fingers twiddling with the intricately carved glass between his fingers and the golden liquid he so carefully poured for himself circled in the glass.
“Sergei."
His demeanor shifted immediately, his interest sharpening like a blade.
“You've still not gotten rid of that Russian slimy fucker?”
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. "He sent someone into my house. Into my fucking empire!"
Anthonio brows lifted. "I should've known. That coward could never face you himself. Sending someone to kill you." Anthonio scoffed.
"To kill my guest."
That got Anthonio's full attention.
"She survived though." I continued. "And she fought back like hell, killing the stupid fucker." I said the last part with such pride. "But I've got to take down Sergei before he gets even more bold."
"She?" Anthonio asked, eyes filled with admiration. "Àlvaro Castillo, what twisted little game are you playing now?"
"Shut the fuck up man."
A slow grin spread on Anthonio's face. “Sounds like this girl's becoming more than just a ‘guest.’” Anthonio mocked and I gave him another death glare which only made him laugh even more. “Well, Sergei is not going to stop. He already thinks he has leverage over you.”
“I know which is why I need to take him down and I need your help. I noticed he has started forming alliances outside his usual circle and I need someone he trusts or thinks he does."
He flashed me a grin. “And that someone is me."
“He probably hasn't seen you in years.” I said, leaning back into my chair. “I'm sure he still underestimates you which is great for the plan I'm brewing.”
Anthonio's eyes narrowed. "So what's your endgame?"
"I want to destroy that motherfucker. Leave him with nothing while I watch his empire crumble before I kill him."
Anthonio hummed in agreement. “I can't guarantee that I wouldn't kill him first though.”
“As much as that would benefit me, I want to be the one to do it. I want to make that motherfucker plead and beg for his worthless life before I destroy everything in his name.”
“He might get suspicious.”
“He might.” I nodded in agreement. “But I can guarantee you that this plan is foolproof.”
"And the girl?" Anthonio asked, curiosity dripping from every syllable. "What's her role in all this? Who is she?"
"All you need to know is that she's one of us now." I replied.
Anthonio studied me for a long knowing moment. "You've changed." He said quietly.
"I don't have the luxury of staying the same." I answered even though I know exactly what he was hinting at. Hell! I could feel myself changing too.
Anthonio leaned forward, pressing his elbows on his knees, then he smirked.
“Alright, Castillo. Tell me who I need to pretend to be."