Page 30 of Seductive Desires

“Mariposa, wait.”

Wait for what? Jo just admitted I was in the house with a freaking mafia boss! I felt someone step up behind me and froze, glancing slowly over my shoulder. Dmitriy was back, and he was standing right behind me.Mafia boss, arms dealer, money launderer…Mafia boss: Liam, Money launderer: Mateo, which left…

I jumped away from him, bumping into Jo. She tried to put her hands on my shoulders but I jerked away, trying to find a way out. But I was trapped. Dmitriy was blocking the exit, Jo was right next to me. I felt myself start to hyperventilate, pressing myself against the wall. Talk about out of the pot and into the freaking fire!

I didn’t realize I was out of it until Mateo’s warm hands pressed against my cheeks. He lifted my face to look at him.

“I know you are confused, mariposa. But we are not bad people. You do not need to fear us.”

I wanted to argue, to point out the fact that I was surrounded by criminals. And not small time criminals either. The big ones. You don’t have those titles without earning them somehow. No wonder Dmitriy was so cavalier about killing Stephen.

“You know, I think maybe she’s had enough for now. Mariana, do you want to come with me? I can show you the guest room and you can change if you want?” Jo’s voice was soft and calm, like she was talking to a wild animal. I suppose I looked like one in this moment, cornered and shaking against the wall. She was the only one right now who seemed to radiate calm. Even Mateo at this point seemed agitated, his fears of me running making him frowny and not at all reassuring. She held her hand out to me, smiling.

“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

I hesitated, glancing back at Mateo. He may not be happy right now, but he was the only one who made me feel better after what happened. I didn’t want him to leave just yet.

He gave me a small smile. “Go, mariposa. I will be here when you are ready.”

* * *

The guest roomwas like something out of a story book. A big canopy bed sat in the middle of the room, taking up most of the space. The bedding was a light green and looked fluffy and warm. There was an antique dresser off to one side and a standing mirror tucked into the corner. The rug beneath the bed was thick enough that your feet sank into it when you stood on it. It had only one window on the side but it was big enough that the room felt bright and airy, sheer drapes covering it. There was a door off the side of the bed that led to an attached bath. It had a clawfoot tub in it and a small glass shower tucked behind the door. The towels were on a stand next to it, with a plant sitting on top. That made me feel a little better. My mom used to have one just like it. She gave all her plants names. The one like this one was named Benito.

Jo gave me some time to myself after she showed me around. I took the world’s hottest shower but I still felt cold. The only place I didn’t was with Mateo and I was a little worried he would get the wrong idea if I kept clinging to him. He was already trying to argue I should stay with him, which would not be happening. When I finally saw myself in the mirror, I jerked away immediately. I had to force myself to look back. There was a bruise forming on my cheek, my lips were swollen and there were finger marks on my neck. Those were just the injuries on my face. The back of my head felt like it had a lump and stung when I took a shower. My thigh had a large scratch on it from when he ripped my skirt.

I felt the panic building again as I stood there, staring at the damage he had done. I felt like there was never going to be an end to this. Eventually, he was going to get his way. I trained all those years and I still froze when he finally showed up. I think I need to admit to myself that maybe I can’t do this alone. And maybe fighting fire with fire is the way to go. There were three criminals in the other room, offering to help me…

I pulled on the clothes Jo gave me. A pair of black yoga pants and a black tank top with a cardigan. They were a little big, she was taller than me, but it was better than what I was wearing before. That outfit was gone. Jo must’ve taken it when I was in the shower and I was glad I didn’t have to see it. I peeked into the hall. This place was massive, at least two stories, maybe more, but the layout was easy enough and I found my way back into the front room I had been camped out in before. They were all still there. Liam was sitting in an armchair with Jo in his lap. Dmitriy was leaning against a wall, his focus on his phone. And Mateo was sitting on the couch in the same spot as before. He had his elbows resting on his knees, scrubbing his face. He looked upset.

“Sí. Alright.”

I watched him rub his neck. Whatever he had just agreed to, he wasn’t happy about it.

Jo noticed me first and she waved me over. “Come on. We think we have a plan.”

I dropped onto the couch next to Mateo. “What kind of plan?”

“You’re going to stay here. It’s safer. We’ve got more security and we control who comes and goes. We will need to swing by your place to grab your things but–”

“NO!” I shouted a bit too loud. They all seemed to jump at once. “Sorry. No. You can’t go back there. No one can. That’s how he found me last time. My friend went to get my things, he followed them, he found out where I was. No one goes near my apartment.” Once again, I was thankful Carlos was out of town. I would have to text him to check in soon, I didn’t want him anywhere near Chicago right now.

Dmitriy nodded first. “She is correct. If he does not know she is here, it is best not to draw attention to it. I am sure we can get her what she needs.”

Jo volunteered. “I can take Jaime with me to the store, we’ll pick you up some clothes and essentials.” Jaime was her full time security guard, which made sense given her husband was a freaking mafia boss.

“Alright. In the meantime, Mariana, I was hoping you’d reconsider letting us help you. You can’t keep running forever.”

I hesitated. Criminals or not, I didn’t want them hurt trying to help me.

“He killed that man in front of you on purpose. To make you afraid of seeking help,” Dmitriy pointed out. “This time will be different. You will not have one man. You will have an army at your back.”

Well, that wasn’t reassuring. That sounded terrifying. “You aren’t being literal, are you?”

Dmitriy’s grin was wolfish. I decided to move past that for now, turning my attention back to Liam. He seemed slightly less volatile than Dmitriy.

“I… I want to say yes, but…”

Mateo took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, drawing my attention. “Dmitriy is right, mariposa. He wants you to think you have to be alone in this. We can help you.”

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