Page 29 of Queen's Move

“No.” His answer was instant, the hard edge of his voice telling her he wouldn’t negotiate for her daughter.

Still, she had to keep trying. “You don’t need her once you have me.”

“I already have you. That won’t change.”

“You don’t have my cooperation,” she bit out. He didn’t say anything so she continued, an edge of desperation entering her voice, though she wished she could remain cool. If she had to beg, for Raina’s sake, then she would. “If you keep my daughter out of this I’ll do what you want. I’ll marry you, fuck you, become the ideal wife, whatever you want.” A crease showed between his brows. A sign that he was considering her words? She pushed on. “Having her here is going to be a problem, Sotza. If she’s anything like me she’ll cause trouble. She won’t settle into this life. Please, just send her away. I’ll give you anything you ask for.”

“No,” he said, and before she could argue, he continued, “she’s vulnerable, Vee. I proved that she can be tracked, picked up. It’s good luck that this didn’t happen a year ago when you started flexing muscle in Miami. She could have been grabbed by the Mexican cartel if they’d thought to dig into your past.”

He had a point. The mere idea of the cartel getting their hands on her daughter made Vee feel sick. She stood and stepped toward Sotza, imploring. “Then send her somewhere else, send her overseas, somewhere she’ll be safe. Just not here. You can help me hide her.”

He looked down at her, a fire leaping into his eyes at her proximity. He didn’t touch her though. “She won’t be safe anywhere. Only here, only under my protection.”

Vee slapped him. She couldn’t help it. All the rage she’d been bottling up spilled out, exploding. He didn’t move when her hand cracked across his cheek. A muscle jumped in his jaw, the only sign that he was affected by her hit. She lifted a finger and shoved it into his face.

“You are the reason she’s in danger!” Vee vibrated with anger. “You are the son-of-a-bitch who destroyed my daughter’s life. The life that I sacrificedeverythingfor. I will never forgive you and I will never settle into any kind of marriage with you.”

He waited until she said her piece, until she’d spewed her rage at him. Then he grabbed her, moving before she had time to fling herself away. He gripped her upper arms tightly, lifting her onto her toes and bending until his face was inches from hers. Her heart pounded painfully against her chest. It finally sunk in that she’d struck this unforgiving man twice within a few days. She’d struck the man who held her and Raina’s lives in his care. She was an idiot to challenge him.

He didn’t address the slap though. He just held her like that, staring down at her, his eyes bottomless, dark pits. She felt the tension in his body. She wanted to recall her words, the slap, everything, just so long as he released her. His touch made her feel again, fear, arousal, confusion.

She was seconds away from breaking down completely and begging him to drop her when he said, “You will be my wife, it’s as good as done.”

He threw her backwards so hard her feet flew out from underneath her. Vee squeaked in fear, as her legs hit the bed and she collapsed backwards, bouncing on the mattress. By the time she surfaced, eyes wide and mouth open in shock he was striding toward the door. He stopped and turned as he twisted the knob. “I’ll send your daughter up when she’s ready. I tried to get her to come see you yesterday, but she refused.”

His words stabbed her in the heart. His assertion that Raina didn’t want to see her was nothing less than she expected, but it still hurt nonetheless. She nodded and remained silent. She was surprised by his kindness in allowing the two women to visit, though somewhat confused. Why did he care?

He watched her face as she felt herself crumble, gave her a moment to absorb them and then said, “If you ever strike me again, I will strike you back.”

Vee nodded. She’d used up her free passes. If she pissed him off again, The Butcher would come out to play.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

Raina’s head snapped up as Mateo’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts. She’d been thinking about her parents, knowing that they would be frantic with worry over her disappearance. She shook off her melancholy and straightened her spine, treating him to the glare she’d perfected just for him. The guy was too fucking hot for his own good. He’d been dressing a little nicer since his boss got back. Today he was wearing a pair of black dress pants with a leather belt, a green collared shirt and boots. He’d left his jacket off, leaving his holster and gun visible. Raina wasn’t used to seeing weapons displayed so casually. He wore it like it was part of him. She dropped her eyes from the gun.

“What could possibly happen to me out here?” she asked moodily. “Do you think I might get kidnapped or something? Oh yeah, that already happened. I think I’ll take the risk, thank you.”

His jaw knotted at her tone of voice. She didn’t care. What was he going to do? He was back under Sotza’s jurisdiction. And though Mateo wasn’t exactly subservient to anyone, his boss included, he still seemed to respect Sotza’s rule of law. Raina felt fairly certain that Mateo wasn’t allowed to touch her without permission. Though, from their frequent meetings, she definitely got the impression he wanted to touch and maybe do more to her. She just wasn’t sure if he wanted to kill her or fuck her. She sort of wished she had a little more life experience so she could figure it out.

“Your bratty mouth isn’t going to get you far around here,” he grunted.

“And for some reason you think I care?”

He stepped closer to where she was sitting, towering over her, his shadow blocking out the sun. Her heart beat fast and hard and her palms grew damp where she gripped the edge of her seat. Why was she baiting him? It was stupid and she knew it, yet she couldn’t seem to stop.

“You should care, Raina,” he said softly. She was beginning to recognize that tone. She’d heard Sotza use it, and other men around the property. Usually when they were discussing something less than savory.

“You need to fuck off, okay?” she snapped. “You did your job, you brought me here. I shouldn’t have to put up with you any more. Doesn’t Sotza have something else to keep you busy? I don’t need you following me around, acting like some kind of creepy babysitter. I’m done with you.”

His lips flattened and his nostrils flared. “I’m not done with you, Raina. And I’m keeping track of your disrespect. One day you’ll pay up.”

She jumped to her feet and waved a finger in his face. “You can’t touch me!”

“You think not?” He seemed almost amused, despite his anger.

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “Your boss won’t let you.”

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