Page 508 of Hate Mates

She was the last of his bloodline, the only family he had left after everything that had happened. His wife and son were taken from him overseas in a deal gone sour—a tragedy that left him shattered and more dangerous than ever. But he didn’t just want her safe; heneededher safe. She was the last thread to his past, the last piece of what was once a sprawling family in the old country.

His brothers? They were killed years ago, long before I ever got close to him, in the bloodied battles they’d fought to expand his empire. Viriato had clawed his way to the top, not through any noble means, but through sheer savagery. Blood had soaked his hands long before I ever swore loyalty to him. He was a monster, a beast who’d fought and bled and killed to build the kingdom he now ruled. He had never hesitated to break anyone who stood in his way, to rip apart anyone who threatened his empire. Yet, when it came to Nádia...

He’d grown soft, or maybe it was more accurate to say that she was his one vulnerability. That tiny, fragile thread of humanity was still tied to him by blood. There was a tenderness in his eyes when he looked at her, a softness that didn't belong to the man I knew. It was as if he feared losing her more than he feared losing anything else in this world. He had lost so much already—his family, his legacy, and the dreams of an empire that once spanned beyond this country.

That was why he was lenient with her. Why he let her wander, let her make choices I knew he hated. As much as he’dbuilt his empire on fear, power, and ruthless control, Nádia was the only thing in this world that could unravel him.

I’d seen it myself—how he watched her with an intensity that could burn through steel. Every move she made, every word she spoke, he was there, watching, listening. His gaze was always on her, possessive, calculating, as if she were the last, fragile thread holding him to a world he had fought so hard to control. He’d go to any lengths to keep her safe, to shield her from the brutality of the empire he’d built. No one would touch her, no one would harm her—not if he had anything to say about it.

But little did he know, Nádia had grown to be far more conniving than he realized. She wasn’t just some delicate, sheltered princess to be coddled and protected. She was a legacy in the making—a true product of the world he’d built, sharp and ruthless in her own right. She understood power, and how to manipulate it. She knew how to play the game, how to bend people to her will with just a smile or a well-placed word. Her father may have thought she was untouchable, but Nádia was no stranger to the darkness that ran through their bloodline.

She didn’t need to be protected; she was becoming the one who controlled the game. And while Viriato might have been blind to her growing power, I wasn’t. I saw the way she maneuvered through every room, every conversation, how she used her charm, her intellect, and sometimes even her allure to get exactly what she wanted. She was a master of manipulation, a true heir to her father’s empire, only more subtle, more patient in her approach.

As much as he thought he could keep her safe, Nádia was already carving her own path—one that might eventually lead her to surpass even him. And that, more than anything, was what made her dangerous.

That’s why I couldn’t trust her. She was becoming too clever, too manipulative for her own good. She knew how to charm,how to weave webs of deception so intricately that even her own father couldn’t see through them. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down around her, not even for a second.

Every time she smiled at me in front of the others, every time she flashed that look in her eyes—the one that promised she knew something I didn’t—I had to remind myself that she was playing a game. She wasn’t just his daughter; she was something more. She was a threat.

Even though I gave into lust now and then, letting her think she had me in her trap, I never let my focus slip. She thought I was weak, that I had succumbed to her charms like so many others, but in reality, it was just another part of the game. I let her believe she was in control, that her influence over me was growing. It was the perfect cover, the perfect way to keep her from suspecting I was watching her every move, every word, every calculated gesture.

While the others around her were blind, enamored by her beauty, her intelligence, I saw past it. I saw the ambition in her eyes, the cold precision with which she manipulated everything around her. She was his daughter, yes, but she was also a potential danger—a future that could tear this family apart if left unchecked.

If the Nogueira empire ever fell, it would be by her hands. She was the greatest liability to it, even if she didn’t know it yet. I had to keep her close, keep her on a leash, even if it meant playing her game. Because if I didn’t, if I let her get too comfortable thinking she could deceive me, she would be the one to bring it all crashing down. And I wouldn’t let that happen—not while I still had breath in my lungs.

No, I wasn’t going to be caught in her web. I was going to keep her right where I needed her—under my watchful eye, always just a step ahead of her. If the family’s future was toremain secure, I had to stay vigilant. Because one day, she’d show her true hand, and when she did, I’d be ready.

It didn’t change the fact that I had my orders. And while the boss might have softened toward her, I never would. I couldn’t afford to.

Nádia was just as dangerous as he was, and more than that—she was a complication. A constant reminder that sometimes, the things that tied us to this world weren’t always chains; sometimes, they were fragile threads that could snap at any moment. And once they did, we’d all burn together.

As the Medeiros’ convoy rolled up the long driveway, I stood straighter, tightening my grip on the radio in my hand. The other men were already positioning themselves around the entrance, making sure that nothing went awry when Carlos and his sons arrived. I wasn’t going to let this night be the one that broke Viriato’s careful control. But even as I barked orders, my mind kept drifting back to her. To Nádia.

I hated it. But it didn’t change the fact that she had an effect on me—a dangerous one. Every time she entered a room, she brought a wave of heat and power with her, an aura that seemed to electrify everything in its path. And tonight… tonight, I knew it would be impossible to avoid.

The sound of heels clicking against marble echoed through the grand hall, growing louder as they neared the staircase. I couldn’t stop the muscle in my jaw from tightening. I had to stay sharp and keep my mind on the task at hand. Viriato was relying on me, as always, to keep the family safe, to make sure his empire stayed intact. My gaze flicked to the grand staircase just in time to see her.

Nádia appeared at the top like a dark angel from the depths of hell. She descended slowly, deliberately, dressed in a stunning blood-red gown, the fabric flowing effortlessly over her form, clinging to her like it had been made for her alone. Every stepshe took seemed to command the attention of the entire room. Even the air seemed to shift around her.

And it wasn’t just the gown, the sheer elegance she exuded—it was the way she carried herself. Graceful, confident, with a quiet power that pulled every eye in the room toward her. Men were already beginning to shift on their feet, their eyes following her every movement, like dogs watching a steak being thrown into the yard.

My stomach tightened. I hated how she made me feel, how she always seemed to disrupt everything I tried to maintain.

This wasn’t the time to let her distract me. Carlos Medeiros and his sons were here, ready to talk deals and power, and if they thought this was just a social gathering, they were gravely mistaken.

Nádia’s gaze swept over the room, landing on the Medeiros family as they filed in, but I could see the flicker of recognition when her eyes briefly met mine. It was like a spark had passed between us—something electric, something undeniable. But I couldn’t let myself be distracted.

As the Medeiros family stepped inside, exchanging pleasantries with Viriato, the air grew thick with false smiles and calculated words. But in the back of my mind, I knew—nothing about this meeting would go as planned. And I’d be damned if I wasn’t ready for whatever the night threw my way.

The room was alive with the sound of clinking glasses and murmured conversations, but as Viriato and Carlos Medeiros stepped into the main hall, the chatter died down. Viriato’s booming voice cut through the murmurs like a blade, commanding everyone’s attention.

“This isn’t just a toast, gentlemen,” Viriato said, his smile sharp and calculated. “This is a union. One that will shape the future of both our families and the empire we’ve worked so hardto build.” He gestured grandly toward Carlos, who stood beside him with a proud grin, matching Viriato’s energy.

Carlos took the floor, his voice deep and smooth as he addressed the crowd. “When Viriato suggested combining our two families, I was hesitant. But I see now that he was right. This is the wisest move either of us could have made. Together, we’ll rule this country, and beyond. East meets west, power unites under family.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over the room, taking in the assembled guests who hung on his every word. “Our two empires will become one through this union.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I’d been watching them, listening, thinking this was just a simple meeting between two rival families. A few deals, a bit of cooperation. But the truth was much worse.

An arranged marriage.

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