Page 45 of Queen of Vice

My beautiful, reckless sister. She would have fit right in down there, laughing, drinking, helping to deplete the powder supply, and deciding which beautiful man she would take to bed that night. I missed her more than I thought I ever could. She’d only been gone for a moment, but it felt like a lifetime.

I found myself wishing for the oblivion that the people below were chasing. Anything to numb the pain of losing her, of being here, of the life I was now a part of. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.

“I’m right here with you, El,” Melody said softly, as if sensing the direction of my thoughts.

“And I can’t thank you enough.” I turned back to face the room. The men were still engrossed in their game, the women still dancing, and Mateo… Mateo was watching me from across the room.

I faced the other way again and nudged Melody with my arm. “You know you have eyes on you?”

She scoffed loud enough that it carried over the music. “Yeah. That’s a long story that requires at least four more glasses of liquor.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’ve got plenty,” Mateo’s voice came from behind us. His large hands landed on my waist, grounding me in the here and now. “Come with me,” he murmured in my ear.

I glanced over my shoulder, meeting his gaze. “But what about Melody and Peyton?”

“They will be fine. Come.”

He released my waist, taking my hand instead, his thumb brushing over the ring he’d placed there not long ago. Without another word, he led me from the room, leaving the intoxicating mix of opulence and debauchery behind. We didn’t take the lift. Instead, he turned a corner, approaching a solid, glossy door guarded by a man who quickly stepped aside to grant us access. We entered a private hallway, the noise of the club fading into the background, replaced by the soft hum of luxury.

Mateo guided me through a set of double doors, and I found myself in a room unlike anything I’d ever seen. Gold gleamed from every surface, from the countertops to the ceiling, the richness of the décor overwhelmed my senses. The space was a testament to extravagance, yet it was the view that truly captivated me—Vice City laid out in all its nighttime glory, framed by the massive windows.

“Sit,” Mateo instructed, his hand gesturing towards a plush couch that curved around a sleek black table. I hesitated, still absorbing my surroundings, before finally taking a seat. The couch was as soft as it looked, enveloping me in its luxurious embrace.

Mateo remained standing, his eyes locked on mine, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze. I waited, heart pounding, uncertain of what was to come next.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Mateo remained standing, his eyes locked on mine, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze. I waited, heart pounding, uncertain of what was to come next. He moved away from me; his footsteps silent on the glossy floor as he headed toward a gold-trimmed bar. The sound of glass clinking softly against glass filled the space as he poured himself another drink, the amber liquid catching the light.

As he took a sip, he turned slightly, his gaze sharp and probing. “What did you show Melody on your phone earlier?”

His question caught me off guard. How did he know about that?

“Cameras in the car,” he answered my unspoken question, his tone as casual as if we were discussing the weather.

I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. The truth wasn't going to do me any favors, but a lie would be worse. I knew that much.

“I… I asked her about getting some medication,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mateo’s eyes darkened slightly, though his expression remained composed. He set his glass down with deliberate care, the soft clink echoing in the silence between us. He took a slow breath, his features betraying a hint of displeasure that sent a chill down my spine.

“Medication,” he repeated, his voice low and controlled. “May I ask why you felt the need to discuss such matters with someone other than the one responsible for your wellbeing?”

I felt a flicker of anger. “She isn’t someone, she’s my best friend.”

“Is she?” He swirled the ice in his glass. “What if she wasn’t?”

“What?”

“Her and that boy. I’m beginning to wonder if I made the right decision by allowing them to stay close to you.”

His words hung in the air like a heavy fog, suffocating me as I struggled to comprehend their implications.

“You have no right to dictate every aspect of my life.”

"Your life belongs to me now. I can do whatever I want with it.”

I steadied myself, my hands trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. Mateo's gaze bore into me, unwavering and intense, as if assessing my every move. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes before being replaced by a cold calculation.

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