Chapter 25 Camilla’s Pov
“Leonardo, pleasure.” Àlvaro nodded politely.
“So formal. If we're to be business partners, why not friends?”
Àlvaro hesitated slightly and I could see his jaw clench. “The term friends is thrown about so carelessly nowadays, don't you think?”
Leonardo smirked lightly, his lips tightening a little. “Very true but this is a ball. It's the best time to make friends.” At this, his eyes drifted to me and holy fucking god, I wished they hadn't. It was as if he was staring through me. It reminded me of the same way Sergei stared at me back at Àlvaro's warehouse office. He stared at me as if he had found something valuable, something he had no intention of letting go.
I felt the sudden urge to throw up as his eyes roamed my body. His eyes paused as they landed on my necklace. My legs shuddered slightly as a slow small smile played on his lips.
“I suppose we've all been making friends recently, Àlvaro. Would you mind introducing me to your…..date?” He spoke the word date as if he was testing it on his tongue for the first time. His eyes still remained trained on the necklace that bore the spanish mafia insignia.
Àlvaro stiffened tightly at my side, his warm hand formed tight on my back.
“Certainly.” He glanced at me carefully. “This is Camilla Torres, my date.”
I nodded at the man that stood in front of us, hoping that would be enough recognition. But instead of leaving it at that, he grasped my hand in his and pressed it to his cold slimy lips. I felt myself cringe. This man reminded me so much of Sergei and I didn't like it one bit.
“Pleasure, miss Torres.” He glanced at Àlvaro. “She certainly is a trophy. You need to tell me where you got her from.”
I felt myself turn red with humiliation. Of course they were both in the business of taking girls against their will. My smile didn't reach my eyes. This man made me feel dirty.
He turned to Àlvaro. “Cuánto fue ella?” (How much was she?)
I felt myself turn sick but I said nothing.
“No la compraron.” Àlvaro replied sharply. (She wasn't purchased)
“No soy tonto, Àlvaro. La cosita está temblando. Está claro que está aquí contra su voluntad.” (I'm no fool, Àlvaro. The little thing is shaking. It's so clear she's here against her will.)
“Ella está aquí por su propia voluntad.” (She's here of her own free will.)
I felt like punching something. Punching someone. They spoke of me as if I wasn't standing right there.
“I'm not a whore.” I stated harshly. Leonardo seemed taken aback that I could even understand what they were saying.
“You understand Spanish, love?”
“I am Spanish.” I suddenly felt the urge to slap his stupid face. The thought was immature and foolish, I know. I was in a room filled with hundreds of the most dangerous people alive and I should probably refrain from getting myself killed. But I'm a 21 year old girl, I'm emotional and I'm a total bitch so fuck it!
I made an attempt to move at him when suddenly, I felt Àlvaro hold me back. He totally knew I was going to punch him.
“Cami….” Àlvaro said in a warning tone. “I don't think I introduced you to Leonardo properly. He's running the southern Russian mafia as Sergei's underboss. I'm sure he's here to conduct business.”
My body physically relaxed the moment I heard the name, Sergei. Now I was beginning to understand the animosity between these two. Leonardo was clearly Spanish but chose to work for a Russian mob boss.
Àlvaro's arms were solid and rough around me as he locked me in a subtle yet bruising hold.
I guess punching Sergei's right hand man wasn't the best idea.
“So a spanish whore? Tell me love, what's that like?”
Fuck it!
I made another weak attempt to launch myself at him but Àlvaro forced me by his side, my strength was no match for his immense power but I wanted to slap the shit out of that Russian loving fucker.
“Fiesty slut, isn't she?” Leonardo grinned slightly as if he had told some incredibly funny joke. “Tell me, Àlvaro, how much was she? I'll double it. I could always use some pretty new toys too and I fuck really hard baby girl.” He winked as his eyes trailed my body. He licked his lips like the dog he was.
Àlvaro tensed. “You had better leave now, Leo.”
Shame filled my body and my eyes sprung hot with tears. The way they talked about me made me feel worthless.
“Besides, you could never afford her. Now get the fuck out of my sight.”
Àlvaro said as he led me away, his hand hot against my back. I opened my mouth to say something but I was at a total loss for words.
“Cami, are you okay?”
I looked up to gaze into his face and that was when I felt the first strand of tears fall down my cheek as I couldn't bring myself to say anything. Àlvaro raised a calloused hand to my face and wiped the tear from my cheek.
“Cami.”
“I'm fine. I'm fine.” I said, regaining my composure.
He looked back to where we had left Leonardo before he glanced back at me. “That would probably cause some issues.”
“Issues? Do you think he'd come after me like Sergei tried to do?”
“Don't worry about it, Camilla.”
“Bu—”
He raised a hand and silenced me.
“Let's dance.” He didn't ask. He commanded.
“I can't dance.”
He grinned slightly. “Well, I just happen to be a fantastic dancer.”
He directed me through crowds of fancily dressed people. They all stared at us, questions and curiosity filled their gaze. We passed by a waiter carrying glasses of champagne and Àlvaro took two. He handed me one with a warning.
“You had better not get drunk. I can barely deal with you sober.”
I ignored him and tossed back the expensive drink in one gulp. If he wanted me to dance, I needed some alcohol in my system. I ignored the glare he gave me.
The music started off slow and keeping up with Àlvaro was fairly easy. Two steps back, two to the left, two forward and two to the right. My body began to find some sort of rhythm that is until the pace of the music began to pick up.