Page 54 of Knot Yours

“Thank you, Apá.”

He leads me to his Bently, already parked outside the front entrance. I mask my nerves with a smile and exhale slowly when we make it out of the gate undeterred. During the ride to Dorado, I don’t have to look to know that Dario’s guards are following us or that they enter the restaurant’s lounge shortly after we do.

They sit at a table across the room in their ill-fitting trousers and jackets, watching as we wait for our table. Not having a tie guarantees this room will be as close as they can monitor, which was the most critical part of my plan.

My hands tremble slightly when I reach for the lemon drop martini placed on the bar in front of me. I’m scared to death and doing my best not to show it. I know disappearing will upset my father, but I’ll contact him as soon as I’m back on the mainland.

Before I finish my drink, we’re approached by a member of the staff. “If you are ready, Mr. Borrero, we will seat you now.”

The host leads us through the intimate restaurant and politely pulls out a chair for me upon reaching our table. The awkward tension still exists between Apá and me, so we quietly peruse the menu.

After giving our selections to the waiter, my father finally breaks the ice, asking about the charity event. I offer him the shallow details between drink and first course servings and wait until the second course to make my move.

“Apá, I need to visit the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”

He stands as I leave, gripping my purse like a lifeline. The restrooms are in the lounge, so I slip into the employee access, planning to escape through the kitchen. I get several strange looks along the way, but my plan is working thus far.

The staff exit discharges into the hotel’s retail concourse, which is blessedly busy. I cut through the crowd, moving straight for the lobby restrooms. After changing clothes and letting down my hair, I’ll hail a cab to the airport. Then, I’ll be free.

As I walk by the sitting area in the lavish rotunda, a familiar voice stops me cold. “Going somewhere, my love?”

My breath catches at the sound, and I turn toward the man lounging casually on one of the sofas. He folds the newspaper hiding his face and sets it on the cushion beside him. Dario’s face is a chilling mix of amusement and cruelty as he prowls toward me, every bit the predator I know him to be.

He trails a finger down my arm and leans close to whisper. “You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you? When my men couldn’t follow you inside the dining room, I was informed immediately. I have men stationed at every exit of the Vanderbilt.”

Dario pinches my side on top of an existing bruise. I suck in a sharp, pain-filled breath but don’t fight when he turns me around. Dario marches me back toward the restaurant, whispering in my ear. “You look beautiful in white.”

I don’t dare say what I’m thinking, knowing there’s a lot Dario can do to me before returning me to my father. We reach the table, where Apá wears a frown at the unexpected intrusion.

Dario guides me to my seat again, resting his hands on my shoulders after pushing my chair forward. “Look who I just ran into,” he says in a tone meant to mock me.

My father acknowledges Dario coolly. “Cruz.”

“Señor Borrero. A father-daughter date. How nice. Since I’ve seen Marisol safely back to your table, I will excuse myself. Enjoy your dinner, and have a safe trip home.”

Dario bows slightly and walks away. I remain quiet, refusing to answer the questions in my father’s eyes. That was my last good shot at leaving. My only options left are to let this nightmare happen or give up on living.

As I have, my father has also become more withdrawn throughout the evening. We both pick at our food, barely eating, and leave before dessert is served. Apá messages the driver as we leave the restaurant, and when the car arrives, he dismisses the chauffeur, instructing him to take the rest of the night off.

Apá opens the door for me, and I drop into the front seat, slouching listlessly. As soon as my father is seated behind the wheel, he takes off.

Fury pours from him in waves, replacing the numbness he displayed at dinner. “What is happening with you? And don’t feed me any mierda about courting or security. I can see the man repulses you. This isn’t like you. You’re as stubborn and bull-headed as I am, so why are you entertaining him?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I plead.

“Well, I’m not giving you any choice. I don’t understand how you could do this. All your life, when your mother tasked you with something you didn’t want to do, she would eventually have to call me to…”

Apá’s voice trails off, and I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing he’s just figured me out.

The car screeches to a stop, and my father’s voice turns icy. “He threatened you. Didn’t he? What did that hijo de perra say?”

I bite my tongue, but Apá learns all he needs to know when I refuse to meet his eyes. I’m thrown back into my seat as his foot finds the gas pedal again. “We’re leaving. First thing in the morning. I’m getting you away from here.”

“But—”

“No. No buts. You’re right. My choice to live this life should not ruin yours.”

“Apá, he’ll kill us. Even if you petition El Gran. Dario has enough of a reach that we’ll both be dead before he is punished.”

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