Page 24 of Queen of Vice

"And for condiments, we have béarnaise sauce, black garlic aioli, and aged balsamic reduction," a third server listed, arranging the small, elegant bowls within easy reach.

I glanced at the spread, feeling both overwhelmed and impressed. Mateo watched me with an amused glint in his eye, clearly enjoying my reaction.

"This is... extravagant," I managed to say, trying to keep my composure.

"Consider it a very small taste of what this life has to offer," Mateo replied smoothly.

As the servers finished their meticulous setup and retreated, I looked back at Mateo, my curiosity piqued even further.

There was no denying his power and influence, but the question of his true intentions lingered in my mind. I waited until the servers were gone before speaking. "Are you going to tell me why this was necessary?"

"Do I need to feed you again?" he deflected, his tone teasing yet laced with a hint of command.

I swallowed, remembering the last time he had insisted on feeding me. "No, I can manage."

"Good. Now, eat. We have much to discuss, and I want you to be comfortable."

I nodded and picked up my fork, cutting it into the perfectly cooked steak. The flavors were rich and decadent, each bite reminding me just how far removed this world was from my own. As I ate, Mateo watched me intently, his gaze never wavering. It was as if he was assessing every move I made, every expression that crossed my face.

Even when he ate his own food, his attention remained fixed on me. Unnerving was an understatement.

"I've noticed something about you, anjinho," he said, breaking the silence.

I swallowed my bite of food and reached for the cloth napkin. "Noticed what about me?" I asked, dabbing at my lips.

"You respond better when told what to do."

"What?" I blurted out, caught off guard.

"You'll see," he replied smoothly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I think we should get to why we're really here."

"I agree," I replied, my curiosity and apprehension mingling.

Mateo leaned back, his gaze piercing. "I need a wife, and you want to know where your sister is. You help me, and I will do everything in my power to help you."

I stared at him, the weight of his words slowly sinking in.

The temperature seemed to drop, and the sounds of the rooftop faded into the background as his words sank in. "You need a wife? Surely you don't mean me."

"I do mean you. Forgive me, I misspoke. Elena, you will be my wife," he declared with an air of finality.

My mind raced as I tried to process this unexpected turn of events. This wasnotwhat I had imagined would happen. The weight of the situation bore down on me. The only thing keeping me anchored was the promise of finding Eva, but at what cost? Marrying Mateo meant becoming entangled in a world I had always fought against, one dominated by power and darkness.

Was it truly possible for me to do that? Could I actually marry Mateo in order to find my sister? The decision felt daunting, but as his penetrating gaze locked onto mine, I realized I may not have a choice in the matter.

His level of authority and power made it clear that this was not a mere suggestion, but rather a demand disguised as a proposal.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The problem with Mateo's proposal was that I had no clue what he wanted from me in return. Although I'd made some questionable choices in the past, I was not blind to manipulation. This wasn't a love story or a passionate affair—we were strangers. Not only that, but this man could have his pick of any woman he desired. There had to be a deeper motive behind his sudden need for a wife, and unfortunately, I was caught in the middle of it all.

"Why me?" I managed to ask calmly, despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "What do you gain from marrying me?"

He studied me thoughtfully. "It's partly out of necessity. You possess something that I need."

I furrowed my brow, mixing confusion with unease. "And what is that, exactly?"

"Your background," he responded smoothly.

---