Page 47 of Punished

I look up to see Adrian, standing with Adan and Osiel at the other end of the venue. He has on an all-black Brioni suit that outlines the masterpiece of his body. I spend most mornings watching him work out just so I can see that chiseled body. Adan and Adrian are both quiet by nature, so Osiel is the only one talking. Adrian holds a drink in his hand, but never takes his eyes off me.

“Stop staring,” I mouth, and he flashes me a smile. The rare genuine one I have been seeing more frequently.

Everyone has come to celebrate Don Vicente. Soledad sits at a table with Patricio and Adriana. Adriana’s husband is warm and charming. Conversations are never dry with his stories and sense of humor. Enrique and Doctor Aguilar sit with their friends. There is live music and people are laughing and dancing.

Most of the room is watching as Ariella graces some man with the gift of dancing with her. She has not sat down since she arrived. Every time she moves to sit, another guy is asking her to dance. Each one tries to outdo the next with exaggerated dips and turns. She keeps up with every spin,her high heels gliding on the floor in perfect sync.

Her bodyguard holds Guapo at the table reserved for her and her brothers. The poor man looks like he is being tortured. The ugly dog sleeps in his arms. Axel is also on the dance floor, and I am wondering if each of the Reyes children has had private dance lessons, because even the few times Thalia dragged Adan out, he was an excellent dancer. Everyone is watching the Reyes siblings dance the night away, but I am staring back at Adrian.

He looks so handsome in a suit, his tattoos visible on his hands and neck. This pregnancy has me desperate for him to take me at any minute.

Adrian in a white tee.I’m Feral!

Adrian working out on the patio.I’m Feral!

Adrian in a suit.Feral! Feral! Feral!

The constant need to devour this man and let him claim me is unreal. Even before we left the hotel, I begged him to fuck me on the kitchen table. Looking at him, I realize something: it’s easy to love someone when you are lonely. When you are by yourself with nothing to hold on to, your mind will wander to the thought of them. Missing them. But Adrian and I can be in a crowd full of people and miss each other. Mere feet feel like miles to me right now. Some might say this is toxic, and I would agree. I’ll take toxic love over fake love. He sees all my flaws and loves me, anyway.I know his dark side, and I am willing to embrace it rather than run from it.

The band stops for a break, and the DJ takes over. “Oceans” by Karol G and Jessie Reyes comes on, and I watch as Adrian makes his way toward me. Adrian is not a fan of Regional Mexican music; he also dislikes Reggaeton, and he disgraces the entire state of Texas by refusing to listen to any country. I was sure he would not ask me to dance all night, so I’m surprised when he reaches out for my hand and moves me to the dance floor.

Adriana made a girls’ date out of dress shopping a few days ago and took Thalia, Ariella, myself, and even Soledad. Soledad and I felt awkward in the luxurious boutique, but Adriana made the experience comfortable with her hospitality towards us. She is humble, despite her fortune.

“Patricio will pay for all of this. Buy whatever you want,” she had said, and Thalia laughed harder than all of us. Adriana and Patricio bickered the same way Thalia and Adrian did. They protected one another with the same fierceness, too. It’s hard not to think of Cassiel when I see their sibling bonds.

I had settled on a glittery champagne backless gown, and Ariella helped me with my hair and makeup. Loose curls frame my face.

“You look so beautiful,” Adrian says as he pulls me up and walks me to the dance floor. I wrap my arms around him and we sway to the music. He pulls back slightly and brings my hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to it.

“What are you thinking, diosa?” he whispers into my ear.

“I’m thinking about how I could get used to seeing you in a suit.”

“I’m thinking this dress is too tight, and I am going to have to kill every man who is looking at you.”

“Do you ever not think of violence?”

“Not when it comes to you.” He looks at me and smiles. His classic mischievous grin. For a second, I think he’ll pick me up and move me to the penthouse to fuck me out of this dress. Instead, he moves back and lets go of me. He reaches into his pocket, and I almost lose my breath as I watch him drop to his knee.

The music fades out, and I can feel every eye on me. Adrian hates public displays of affection, which was great for my anxiety. Right now, I feel like I may pass out.

“Diosa, look at me.” I look down and meet his beautiful brown eyes. He slips a ring onto my finger. 18k white gold with an emerald-cut diamond. I don’t know much about designer brands, but I know jewelry.

“You are the only thing that brings me to my knees. Willyou let me worship you for the rest of our lives?” I don’t have to even think about it before I am saying, ‘Yes,’ and he stands to kiss me as the crowd cheers. I would live this life and every one after with Adrian. He would always be mine.

6 months later

Patricio helps me to unload the last box from the penthouse. After considering our future, I decided the safest place for my family was here, on Patricio’s estate, with him, my mom, my grandfather, and his security team. There would be nights when I didn’t come home, and Mireya knew that. It was a part of the life I chose, and this was how I would secure her safety.

The house Patricio had been building for me was similar to his hacienda-designed mansion. Three levels and five large bedrooms, with plenty of living and dining space. When I brought Mireya here, she instantly fell in love with it. She has spent every night since looking up décor and asking for my input.

Thalia is helping me to invest the money I’ve made, and my inheritance, into other streams of income and stocks. Mireya almost passed out when I gave her her very own AmEx Black card. We both are adjusting to this lifestyle. We had spent our whole lives trying not to overspend the little we had, to being able to afford indulgences and trying not to feel guilty for it. I walk through the back room of the house to the master bedroom and see a crib already set up.

“I hope it’s okay,” Patricio says from behind me. “I wanted to get it for the baby, but you can move it or I can take it back.”

“No. It’s perfect.” A tightness pulls in my chest. I’m still not sure how I fit into this family, but I know my child will be surrounded by love. My mother has been clean for nine months and is thriving in her sobriety. She spends most of her time helping Don Vicente in his garden, and has made it her personal mission to make sure Mireya is cared for. She wasn’t the mother I needed her to be when I was younger, but I am happy to give her the opportunity to be a loving grandmother to my child.

Patricio starts to walk back to the moving truck.

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