Page 36 of Queen of Vice

“You have my children,” he replied, his tone matter of fact as if discussing the most mundane of topics.

The simplicity of his words hit me like a punch in the gut. There was no affection or romanticism in his declaration. The reality of it all settled over me like a cold, heavy weight. This wasn’t just about finding Eva. This was about securing a future—his future—through me. I was a means to an end, a vessel for his ambitions. Any remaining illusion I might have had about being anything other than a piece in his game was shattered.

"We need to work on your poker face,anjinho," he said softly. "This isn’t a bad thing. I’m not the worst you could do. In fact, I’m quite the sought-after bachelor."

I frowned, the urge to push back gnawing at me. "Yes, Pey—" I cut myself off abruptly, realizing I was about to mention Peyton. I wasn’t going to drag my friends any deeper into this.

Mateo’s grin widened, his expression all too knowing. “Nice catch,” he murmured, clearly pleased with my slip.

I ignored his comment, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "So, we can never divorce?" I asked, hoping there was some room for negotiation in this arrangement, some semblance of an escape plan.

He tilted his head, studying me with that same unsettling intensity. "How about I have your grave dug as an early wedding present?" he suggested, his voice calm, almost gentle. "Whenever you decide to leave me, you can go there."

I knew that wasn’t a bluff or empty words. He truly meant that.

"I’ll join you soon after," he added before I could muster a response, his tone still deceptively soft. "I’ll make sure that when my time comes, you’re exhumed, and I’m added to your casket. Then we’ll be together again."

My mouth went dry as I tried to find the right words. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, each beat a reminder of the gravity of the situation. “I… I guess that’s one way to ensure we stay together,” I finally managed to say, forcing the words out despite the tightness in my throat.

Mateo’s gaze remained steady, a small, satisfied smile playing on his lips as he watched me grapple with the reality, he’d laid out so clearly. There was nothing I could say to change his mind, nothing I could do to alter the course he’d set for us. All I could do was accept it—or at least pretend to.

How did I end up in this position, tangled in a world so far removed from the life I once knew?

Maybe, in some screwed-up, tragic way, this was meant to happen. If it brought my sister back to me, then I could—and would—endure it. For her, I would withstand anything.

I took another sip of ice water, the coolness soothing the turmoil swirling inside me. “So… what now?” I asked, my voice calm despite the chaos in my mind.

He leaned back in his chair. “I have some business to handle in the city tonight. You’ll be joining me,” he replied. “Your wardrobe isn’t here yet, so I’ve arranged for a driver to take you to La Galerie Noir so you can get something for you to wear. But first…” He trailed off, sliding his chair back with a smooth motion. “Come here.”

I hesitated for a moment, then slowly pushed my seat back and stood, walking around to his side of the table. My heart raced as his eyes followed my every move, a predatory gleam lurking just beneath the surface. When I reached him, he placed his hands gently on my thighs, guiding me to sit on his lap. The closeness of him was overwhelming, his warmth seeping into my skin as I settled intoplace, grippingthe arms of the chair to steady myself.

He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small velvet box, its rich fabric a stark contrast to the sharp edge of his demeanor. He opened it slowly, revealing an engagement ring that took my breath away. The blue diamond at its center was encased by a delicate halo of pink diamonds, the colors striking against the platinum band. I didn’t know its value, but I could tell it was worth more than anything I’d ever owned—or ever would. It was a piece that screamed wealth, power, and exclusivity—everything Mateo represented.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered as I looked down at the ring, unable to meet his gaze.

He gently gathered my hair, pulling it to one side. The warmth of his breath brushed against my exposed skin, sending a shiver down my spine. Then, with a tenderness that seemed almost out of place, he pressed a soft kiss to my neck. I closed my eyes for amoment, trying to process the rush of emotions flooding through me.

He took hold of my hair again, gathering it in one hand while the other slid beneath my dress. I gasped, my eyes flying open when he tugged on my hair. As his hand roamed higher up my thigh, a surge of panic gripped me. I pushed against his chest, trying to create some distance between us.

"Mateo, stop," I pleaded.

“Already testing me again,anjinho.”

Despite my fear, a stubborn fire ignited within me, urging me to stand my ground. I pushed against him with more force, determination lending me strength. "I said stop," I repeated, my voice firm and unwavering this time. Mateo's grip tightened, sending tiny sparks of pain through my scalp.

His breath ghosted over my ear as he chuckled darkly, the sound sending a chill down my spine. "You think you can tell mewhen to stop?" His words were a taunt, a challenge laced with arrogance.

With a quick movement, he pulled my underwear to the side and slid two fingers inside me. I whimpered against the discomfort, biting my lip to stifle it. He worked his fingers in and out, his thumb circling my clit. “Spread your legs.”

The fear in my heart threatened to consume me, but the defiance still burned. Despite the overwhelming force Mateo wielded, I refused to let him dominate me completely. Taking a deep breath, I forced my legs apart, even as my body screamed in protest. I tasted blood from how hard I was biting my lip, the soreness from the night before lingering. In an instant, his grip on my hair was gone and his hand tightened around my throat.

My body was lifted off his lap as I struggled to swallow against the suffocating pressure on my windpipe. He swept aside theneatly arranged dishes on the table, causing them to clatter and shatter against the unforgiving concrete floor.

He roughly maneuvered me so that I was bent over the table's edge, now fully facing the crystal-clear pool just beyond. My heart pounded with a steady, painful rhythm against my chest as I steeled myself for what was to come next. The fear and anticipation coiled in the pit of my stomach, threatening to overwhelm me. But I refused to give in, refused to beg or plead for mercy he wouldn’t give. My pride had already been shattered into a million pieces and now it was being further torn apart.

Every moment felt like an eternity as I waited for the inevitable.

I heard his belt buckle and closed my eyes.

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