Page 3 of Defy

Which means Luis moved in after my departure. That room is the largest after the master bedroom and has the best view over the marina. I could never stand to be far from the water.

I still can’t.

Before they lead Libby away from me, she asks, “Will I be able to see Dominic again?” I hear the worry in her voice but I can also tell she’s trying to mask it. I’m at least grateful they haven’t tried to restrain her in any way because if I witness one person lay a hand on her, I might as well just start spraying bullets – the consequences by damned.

Luis’ answer makes my blood boil and if I didn’t think he’d actually shoot me on the spot – which wouldn’t help Libby at all - I’d be tempted to choke him out right now.

“It would be best if you start to let Dominic go. He’s about to be a very busy man and although I don’t have plans to harm you, your happiness is not on my priority list. My brother has otherdutieshe needs to fulfil.” He glares at Camila as he says this, making his meaning clear. “However, if you’re feeling lonely, I’d be happy to fill the… hole for you.”

Reaching my limit, my right hand flies to my waist where I normally carry my pistol only to come up empty and cuss under my breath, sending a shockwave of pain through my arm and chest. Luis stripped me of my weapons as soon as I was on his boat.

“Enough,” I growl wanting this bullshit to be over with. I move away from Camila and lean down to whisper in Libby’s ear while I still have the chance. “Stay strong. We’ll find a way out of this. I’m not letting you go so don’t you dare try to get rid of me now.” She’s looking straight ahead and won’t meet my gaze. Her jealousy and anger over Camila and I’s embrace are palpable and I feel her pulling away from me already.

It's only going to get worse.

So much worse.

Finally, my brother turns a cold sneer in my direction. “Let’s go, Dom. Time to rejoin the family, but make no mistake, we’re back on my turf now and you answer to me.”

Little does he know, the Devil’s just arrived back in hell and I take orders from no one.

Two

MY BLOOD LEAVES a trail on the stone floor, dripping with each step, like a trail of breadcrumbs for Hansel and Gretel. If only finding my way out of here were as easy.

Luis knocks three times on the door and looks like he’s about to piss himself or meet the queen - it could be either, or both - and then I hear a voice that has haunted my dreams for almost two decades. Although slightly more gravelly with age, it’s unmistakable.

My mother.

Luis enters the room ahead of me, head bowed.

I willneverbow before my parents again. Instead, I hold my head high, erasing all trace of emotion from my features, and look first to my mother, then my father, right in their eyes as they’re seated on the elevated platform. This is where they conduct business so that whoever they’re speaking to is physically beneath them like peasants. It’s reminiscent of a King’s receiving chamber – we are in a castle after all. Stone walls surround a stone floor. A dark wooden platform houses identical chairs behind a matching dark, cherry-wood table that stretches the length of the platform. Four narrow windows let in a small amount of light; the rest comes from the chandelier hanging high above us.

My parents have more money than they know what to do with but they’ve always romanticized the days of old, choosing to only make upgrades when it was necessary for safety.

My eyes land on my mother just a I hear her breath hitch. She gasps audibly as one hand flies to cover her mouth. Her disbelief is visible in the way her eyebrows are pinched but her eyes are wide. She quickly schools her features like I’ve done to mine, not wanting me to be able to read her reaction so easily. I narrow my eyes at her before sliding them to my father who also looks shell shocked but is doing nothing to hide it. His gaze is as cold as I remember. It’s clear to me in this moment Luis got his eyes.

Every word, every expression is knowledge I collect like pennies from the sidewalk.They don’t know I called Luis. They don’t know why I’m here.

My mother stands, skirts around the table, and starts to descend the stairs toward me. She’s a tall woman. Her hair is still dark and I’m guessing she’s too vain to let any silver show. Her red, floor length dress threatens to trip her on the stairs and she has to pull it up to descend safely. Her makeup makes her skin appear flawless from a distance, but up close, I can see the prominent wrinkles around her eyes as well as her frown lines.

Her eyes blink rapidly like she’s fighting tears, but that can’t be right. Imelda Hielo doesn’t have feelings, especially notmaternalfeelings.

“Dominic?” Her voice is barely audible, mimicking Camila. I’m wondering how many times I’ll hear my name today. After years of going by the nickname Casper, it’s strange to hear Dominic roll off so many tongues.

Her hand comes up to graze the stubble on my cheek but I catch her wrist in a vice grip with my left hand to prove I’m no longer the weak boy she once controlled. I’m only mildly satisfied when a hiss escapes through her teeth as I twist her wrist slightly before letting go, my message clear:I am untouchable.

“Imelda.”

She stands in stunned silence. I’ve never known my mother to be so caught off guard that she didn’t have a response at the ready.

Finally finding her voice after several long seconds, she asks, “What are you doing here?”

I offer no explanation but keep my emerald eyes trained on her in defiance.

After a few beats of silence, Luis cuts in, “Mother, if I may explain?”

Still eager to be in the good graces of our parents by providing the currency that means the most, his voice breaks through our moment.

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