Page 73 of Keeping My Captive

We’re all dressed casually tonight. My uncle is wearing a tropical print shirt and khakis. Even I decided to forgo a suit and tie and just went with a black button-up shirt and trousers while Aria is wearing a strapless, sage green sundress that exposes her sun-kissed shoulders.

I watch closely as Domingo pushes Aria’s chair in once she’s sitting, and I don’t miss the way his hand brushes her bare shoulder before he goes to his own seat.

My eyes narrow on him before I glance around the room and notice something blatantly obvious and perhaps alarming. Ever since we first arrived here, Domingo has had guards stationed in every room of his home and almost every fucking inch of his property. It’s been so noticeable and suffocating. But tonight, I barely noticed anyone standing guard.

“No security detail tonight?” I question him.

He shrugs and waves his hand in nonchalance. “Sometimes even they need a break. Unless you’re planning on something happening tonight during dinner?” he throws back at me with a suspicious gaze.

I stare at him, watching him closely for any sense that something is off, but I see nothing. His face is relaxed, his demeanor calm. Sitting back in my chair, I allow myself to loosen up a little, but I’m still not totally convinced. Something is off; I just can’t put my finger on it. I’ve spent almost my entire life having my senses trained to be on high alert at all times. I am always prepared for the worst in all situations. And just because I’m in my uncle’s home and he’s the only person I have left to callfamilydoes not mean I will completely be at ease in his company. If anything, the fact that he is my only remaining family member makes me even more on edge. And suddenly, I’m wishing I wouldn’t have sent Ignacio back to Mexico early.

The first course is served promptly, consisting of a mixed green salad and gazpacho. I carefully take a bite of each, and then I, perhaps irrationally, wait to make sure it’s not been tampered with. But I know deep down if I really thought something was wrong with the food, I wouldn’t have allowed Aria to eat hers. Although maybe he would just poison me…

“Not hungry?” my uncle asks in between mouthfuls of his salad.

I shrug my shoulders. “I guess not,” I offer.

He wipes his mouth with a napkin and nods. “Perhaps we can talk then.” He gives me a pointed look as he questions, “So, you never did tell me the truth about how Aria magically appeared in your life almost overnight. How did that all come about, if I may ask?”

I cock a brow at him. He wants to bring this up tonight? I can’t help but question his motives behind it. Clearing my throat, I answer him with the partial truth. “A former associate of mine introduced us.”

“So, a blind date?” he asks, his eyes shifting back and forth between Aria and me.

I notice Aria growing uncomfortable across from me. She doesn’t have to speak or move. I know her body so well now. It’s like we’re connected on some kind of subconscious level. I hate that my uncle insisted we sit on either side of him. I want her by my side, so that I can calm her down. And I know just what would calm my little captive down — making her purr by stroking her soft pussy under the table.

“Rumor has it you bought her at an auction,” my uncle announces, pulling me from my dirty thoughts.

I glare at him, wondering how he could have heard that. “Rumors are simply just that. Rumors,” I quip.

“Aria, perhaps you will tell me the truth about my nephew acquiring you,” Domingo urges, turning his attention to her and causing my hackles to rise.

She stares at him with doe eyes before her gaze darts across the table at me. She doesn’t want to upset me, and I can see the fear in her eyes. Even after all this time she still fears me. And fuck, does that make my cock rock hard.

“Go ahead, Aria. Tell him the truth,” I urge her. I want to hear the origin of our story coming out of her pretty, little mouth. And then later, when we’re alone, if she disappoints me, I’m going to spank the hell out of her ass before I remind her of who she belongs to.

“We…we met at a…charity auction,” she says, and I can’t help but smile at her little fib.

“A charity auction,” Domingo repeats before laughter bursts from his chest. “I don’t believe that for a minute, my dear. The only thing charitable about my nephew here is how many women he has bed in his lifetime.”

I slam my fist down on the table, causing the crystal stemware to rattle against the force. “What game are you fucking playing at?” I ask him through gritted teeth. Why does he want to know the truth? And why now? That niggling feeling that’s been in the back of my mind ever since I got here is getting bigger and louder like a warning beacon.

“I just want to know how my nephew came to obtain such a beautiful woman,” he says with a soft chuckle, playing it off as if it’s all fun and games.

“Are you saying I can’t possibly get a beautiful woman? Are you calling me ugly?” I ask, my voice full of anger.

“Of course not. You look like your handsome uncle, after all,” he says with a salacious grin.

I grab the wine glass in front of me and stare at the liquid. And when the thought that it might be poisoned crosses my mind, I put it back down without taking a single drop. The hair on my arms stands on end. The only thing I had after my family was murdered was my instinct. I never question it. Something is definitely not right here.

“Why did you want us to come to California? You were so urgent about it on the phone, but we have barely conducted business since I arrived.” I glance across the table at Aria. She shifts slightly in her seat. Perhaps she can sense that something is off as well. She’s so intuitive, my girl.

I turn and look pointedly at my uncle. “Is this about Aria?” Is he planning on trying to take her from me? He’ll have to pry her out of my cold, dead hands first.

“I’m just trying to make conversation,” he says, dismissing me. “Let’s just enjoy our meal.”

I push my plate away, untouched. “I’m not hungry.” I stand and look to Aria. “We’re going to return to Mexico. Now, in fact,” I say.

“Sit the fuck down, Mateo,” Domingo says through gritted teeth. “We are not done here yet.”

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