Page 56 of Bound to the Crime Lord

“Hola, chica.” His deep voice filled the room. “Rosa, give us a moment, please.”

“Don't anger him. Do what he says,” she muttered under her breath before she got up and bowed to him. “Of course.”

Rosa scurried out of the room, but not before throwing me a worried glance that told me she wanted me to heed her warnings. The woman I remembered all those years ago was a far cry from the woman I had just interacted with.

The man stepped into the building with a devilish grin that reminded me of a demon. His brown eyes looked blacker than they did brown, and his entire demeanor just screamed villain.

“I’m sorry for all this… fuss, but I knew that you would never come to me willingly and, well, here we are.” He looked around the dingy room. “I should have gotten you more comfortable quarters, seeing as you are my honored guest. Forgive me, that was an oversight on my part.”

“Who the hell are you?” My words were meant to carry indignation and anger, but my body was still waking up from whatever drug they had given me.

“Oh, where are my manners?” The man came to stand right in front of me right before he crouched down into his haunches. His eyes moved over my face as if he was taking mental notes of all my features. “I can see why he’s quite taken with you. You are gorgeous, Juliette. A true diamond, if I do say so myself.”

The easy smile slipped from his lips and in its place came a disgusted snare. He grabbed my chin roughly and forced me to look at him.

“Oh, Manuel,” he spat. “Always had a knack for taking everything. Hmm, how about I take you for myself,amor?”

I ripped my chin from his iron grip, but my movements were far too brash and quick. I ended up hitting my head on the concrete, adding to the dizziness.

“Don't touch me.”

“Feisty,” he grinned like an utter and total creep. “I can see why he took a liking to you. My brother likes things that fight back. It keeps things interesting enough for him.”

“What?” My eyes went so wide I thought for a second they would fall out of their sockets.

“Oh, Rosa didn’t tell you? I guess she isn’t as big of a gossip as I thought she was.”

I waited for him to continue speaking, but my eyes roamed his face.

“My name is Diego Gomez, your lover’s older brother. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

I blinked.

The room fell deadly silent, the only thing that could be heard the dripping of the water.

“What?”

“Surprised? You thought you got the better-looking brother? Sorry to disappoint, Juliette. But no matter, you will be mine in name and body soon enough.” He observed my face like one would a painting. He scrutinized every single aspect of myfeatures, taking his time to do so. When he was content with what he saw, he sighed dramatically and lifted to his feet.

He peered down at me like one would a wounded puppy. “It’s a shame you met him first. I would have made a far better lover. He’s shit in bed, isn’t he? You don’t have to lie to me.”

Before I could even respond to what he said, he drew his hand back and punched me in my face. My head bobbed back and hit the concrete, adding another blow to my skull. My body dropped to the floor, my vision coming in and out of focus.

A loud ringing filled my ears, making it even harder to focus on what he was saying. It was like I was underwater. All the words were muffled, and my vision refused to come into focus.

I lifted my gaze and saw the devilish face of Diego. Just as my vision turned black, I noticed a hungry kind of evil. It was the kind of stare that could cool hellfire.

The last thing I remember thinking was Manuel, and praying that somehow, someway, he’d find us and save us from this hell-hole as soon as possible.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Manuel POV

My blood seethed like red-hot lava. I wanted my brother’s head on a platter, and I wanted itnow.

Rodrigo explained how everything had taken place last night and only now was this information being relayed back to me.

I was furious.

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