Page 2 of Defy

I can relate. There’s no feeling of freedom quite like being on a board in the water, at the mercy of the wind.

Maybe if we get out of here, we’ll buy a boat and live on the water. We’ll answer to no one and go where ever we want to go. Never being anyone’s domestic prisoner or literal hostage again. Our choices will be our own and we’ll rely only on each other since she seems to be as drawn to me as I am to her. That thought calms my own frayed nerves and renews my resolve to get the fuck out of Venezuela.

Luis disembarks and helps Libby out of the boat, causing me to suppress a growl at the physical contact before he offers me a hand that I don’t take.

“I’m not sure our parents should meet her just yet,” he says as he appraises Libby, lingering too long on her legs and chest. “You,” he says turning to me, “on the other hand, they’ll want to see now.” A slow, sly smile spreads across his features, making him look like a chameleon with dark, wide set eyes. I half expect a pointed tongue to dart out and lick his lips. We look similar enough to tell there is a relation, but if you break down our features separately, the resemblance is harder to see. “I recommend showing up with your bullet hole still bleeding. You might get more sympathy.”

I scoff, “Sympathy isn’t something they’re known for… or capable of.” Then before I can stop myself, I nod my chin in Libby’s direction, aiming for nonchalance and failing miserably. “Where are you planning on keeping her?”

“Not your bedroom,” Luis answers, seeing right through me. I know he saw Libby and I holding hands at the governor’s house and Libby was inmyhouse when Luis showed up. Hell, it probably still smelled like sex when he walked in, but he hasn’t seen anything that I can’t explain away. God, it’s hard to believe that was just last night. If I close my eyes, I can still smell her scent and taste her on my tongue.

Heaven.

“Where are you keeping her?”I repeat with a clenched jaw, my bruised fingers opening and closing by my side. By the time I get us out of here, I’m sure I’ll have ground my molars into nothing.

“Perhaps my own room,” Luis snarls trying to get a rise out of me.

By sheer willpower, I don’t rise to Luis’ taunt. After taking my orders for the last several hours, I’m sure he’s salty and more than happy to twist the proverbial knife in and show me who the boss is here.

“I’ll kill you in your sleep,” I say the words calmly and completely devoid of emotion because it isn’t a heated statement said out of petty jealousy. It’s the fucking truth. “Libby is my responsibility and if you think that changes just because we’ve changed locations, you’re out of your goddamn mind.”

“Dom,” Libby whispers and shakes her head.

My control is already slipping through my fingers like water in a sieve. I need to calm down or we aren’t going to last long.

I nod and snarl at Luis. “You and I have a lot to talk about, but hear me when I say this. I will die before anyone touches a hair on her head. I don’t care who she is to you or what you think you know about her. She belongs tome.”

I’ve been gone a while, but you never really forget your upbringing. I’m confident my words to Luis don’t sound like a declaration of love, but rather a conquest. It’s still potentially dangerous for Libby, but it gets my point across without showing my entire hand - which would be far worse.

“You’re hardly in any position to be making threats, Dominic,” he says lightheartedly. “In fact, our parents may kill you themselves once they learn you’re back.” The prick actually inspects his nails as he talks to me like he’s a character out of a bad eighties mafia movie.

Libby’s eyes go wide and her nostrils flare as she whips her head toward me. She’s starting to get an idea of what we’ve walked into.

“Libby,” Luis starts, locking his beady eyes onto mine even as he speaks to her, “you’re to reside in your own room that connects to mine.” Now it’s my turn for my nostrils to flare and my loud exhale is a warning when Luis clarifies, “I’m choosing it because no one enters my rooms without my direct permission. Dominic, I can’t keep your return a secret. You and those damn eyes of yours are too recognizable, but for now, Libby can pass as one of my lovers or a maid. No one will question the fact that I put a beautiful woman in the room next to mine. Contrary to current popular belief, I don’t want any harm to befall you, Libby.” It sounds almost sincere and the pressure eases off my chest until he adds, “You’re no good to me dead.”

One glance at Libby and I know she felt the exact same thing. I see the tension in her shoulders and she’s wrapped her arms around herself, hooking her fingers inside her tactical vest, hugging it to her like a safety blanket.

Before I have a chance to process this conversation with Luis, I see another figure walking toward us on the dock, hitting me with a much different blast from the past. This one harder to hate and harder to face.

“Dominic?” she whispers like she isn’t sure it’s me until I turn my head, acknowledging my name and confirming her suspicions.

“Camila,” I return and I can’t keep the emotion out of my voice. It’s the second punch to the gut in the last three minutes and I’m a little surprised I’m not doubled over from the emotional blows. I thought she’d be long gone by now. Camila was always destined to a greater life than the daughter of a servant. She was also always my favorite way to blow off steam or celebrate a victory and I can’t help but notice that she’s more beautiful now than she was when I left. A pang of guilt flashes through me because when I left, I told no one. I abandoned everyone, including Camila. Even if our relationship was a littleunconventional, she was always there when I needed her.

She glances quickly at Libby before dismissing her and marching straight toward me, her hips swaying in a bright pink skirt as she walks easily in three-inch heels. With her hair pulled back in a low ponytail, she looks like she could have just stepped out of a boardroom as a CEO, but if she’s still here, then her life is nowhere near that glamorous.

I’m prepared for the slap or punch I deserve, but instead, she grabs my face and pulls my lips to hers.

I see we’re wasting no time with reintroductions.

My left arm instinctively goes around her waist before I remember myself and pull back. She keeps her roaming hands attached to my body like she’s making sure I don’t vanish into thin air… again.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she admits in a whisper that glides across my lips. In her heels, we’re almost eye level, and I can easily see the tears she’s holding back. “I thought I’d never see you again.” Her dark eyes flash a look of disbelief back and forth between me and my brother. “Where have you been? Why are you back? How’d you get here?” She fires off her questions with no rest, her surprised, chocolate eyes scanning my green ones.

On high alert and battle-ready, I’m hyperaware of the people around us and I can’t help but notice that Luis places a hand on the small of Camila’s back, leaning in as he hushes her. “There will be time enough for answers, but now isnot itand perhaps you want to put your tongue back in your mouth,” he snaps more harshly than needed. I’m sure my return has Camila feeling the same variety of confusing emotions I’m experiencing.

Camila’s eyes widen a fraction more as she faces Luis like she’s just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. And I’m the cookie jar.

I still Camila’s hands and drop them from my body just as Luis clears his throat and orders his men to take Libby to the violet room. It’s a bedroom suite, named for the large flower tapestry above the bed. It has its own siting room and bathroom, and happens to be next to my old rooms.

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