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  “I have some friends over. I want you to meet them.”

  Oh, god. There were other people in the apartment who had heard my terrible singing? My cheeks flooded with heat.

  Then it occurred to me why Santiago had knocked. He was putting on a show for his guests. The illusion of respect for my privacy was for their benefit, not mine. Anger ate away my embarrassment.

  “Do I have a choice?” I asked, trying to ruin the act he was putting on.

  His smile disappeared, and he shrugged. “Yes, Charlotte. You always have a choice. You can stay in here if you want.”

  Bastard. He knew I would rather socialize than stay cooped up by myself. The last five hours on my own had been agony.

  “Fine,” I huffed, even as excitement expanded in my chest. People. I was about to have actual human contact. It was pathetic how just a few hours of solitary confinement were enough to drive me crazy.

  As I got to my feet, I became suddenly self-conscious. I was in my comfy sweatpants, and I wasn’t wearing any makeup. Usually, I would never go out in public in such a state.

  I shook it off. I wasn’t going to let shallow concerns keep me trapped in this room. Squaring my shoulders, I strode past him into the hallway. Out of the corner of my eye, I could have sworn I saw him smirk.

  Bastard.

  When I entered the kitchen/living room area, I found a young man – well, he was a teenager, really – and a pretty, slightly older woman seated at the small dining table. The woman beamed at me, and for some reason I instantly felt at ease. She seemed to radiate genuine kindness. It was something I rarely experienced.

  The guy, on the other hand, stared at me wide-eyed, his jaw hanging open slightly.

  “Hi,” the woman greeted me, her voice holding a light Spanish accent. “You must be Charlotte. I’m Ana Lucia.”

  I returned her smile hesitantly. “It’s nice to meet you,” I said with automatic politeness.

  The boy remained silent. Instead, his eyes flicked down my body, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. His obvious interest didn’t make me feel dirty. There was something strangely innocent about the way he studied me.

  “Eyes back in your head, chaval.” Santiago barked as he approached the table.

  His eyes didn’t leave me, but they did find my face again rather than ogling my boobs.

  “You’re Charlotte?” He asked, somewhat breathlessly. “I can see why Javier likes you. Muy bonita.”

  Santiago reached out and lightly cuffed the back of his head. “Show some respect.”

  The boy blinked, and he stood suddenly, as though just remembering his manners. His gaze slid away from mine in embarrassment, and he murmured something in Spanish. I didn’t understand it, but it was clearly apologetic.

  The woman – Ana Lucia – rolled her eyes. “This is my little brother, Miguel,” she clarified for my benefit.

  “Why don’t you two have a chat, Ana,” Santiago suggested, keeping his frown fixed on the boy. “Miguel and I are going to discuss how to talk to a woman.” One corner of his lips twitched, and the creases around his eyes betrayed his amusement. He clapped a hand against Miguel’s back. “Let’s go, kid.”

  Santiago’s grip shifted to the boy’s shoulder, and he began guiding him out of the apartment. “We’ll be back in a couple hours, Ana,” he called over his shoulder as Miguel very carefully skirted past me, making sure not to touch me.

  And then they were gone, leaving me alone with Ana Lucia. If I just waited a little while for Santiago to get out of the neighborhood, this might be my chance at escape. The woman was a couple of inches shorter than me, and her body was softly curvy. I was fairly certain I could take her down if she tried to stop me. I did my best to plaster on a disarming smile as I joined her at the table.

  Chapter 8

  “I think my brother has a crush on you already,” Ana Lucia shot me a playful smile. “Javier won’t like that.”

  “Why would he care? Miguel seems harmless enough. He wasn’t being aggressive like Reyes and Ortiz.”

  Her full lips thinned at the mention of the Kings. “Javier told me about what they did to you. And no, Miguel isn’t like that. He just doesn’t know how to act around women yet. He’s seventeen, but you would think he was thirteen when it comes to sharing space with a beautiful girl. Besides,” she said, her sly smile returning, “Javier won’t like that he was looking at you at all.”

  I shrugged. “I get that he wants to keep me safe. Believe me, I know just how badly he wants that.” The words were touched with bitterness. “But Miguel wasn’t threatening me.”

  Ana Lucia shook her head at me, as though I just wasn’t getting it. “Javier likes you. You should see the way he looks when he talks about you. It’s very… well, sweet isn’t the right word. Fierce.”

  “Possessive is more like it,” I scoffed. “He acts like he owns me.”

  For some reason, I found myself sharing my feelings with Ana Lucia. I wasn’t sure if it was because her obvious gentle nature put me at ease or if I was just that starved for conversation.

  Her big brown eyes turned earnest, her smile slipping to something more serious. “Javier is a good man. Intense, but good. You don’t know how rare that is in our world. I’m so glad Miguel has him watching his back. My little brother needs a good role model.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Santiago is a member of the Latin Kings. He’s hardly what I would call a good role model.”

  Her shoulders rose and fell as though that was of no consequence. “Miguel was born into it. We both were. There’s no getting out.” She speared me with a significant look. “I think you understand that.”

  “That’s not true,” I said staunchly. I refused to believe it was true. I would get out.

  Her expression softened. “I won’t lie to you, Charlotte. Javier asked me to speak to you about what’s going on.”

  “If he thinks you’re going to convince me that what he’s doing to me is okay, then he’s even crazier than I thought.” I stood abruptly, my fists closing at my sides. I wasn’t going to sit here and listen to this insanity. No matter how nice Ana Lucia seemed.

  She leveled a no-nonsense look at me. “If you’re going to leave, I won’t stop you. But know that Javier will just drag you right back here. If one of the other Kings doesn’t get to you first. I wouldn’t advise walking through this neighborhood alone.”

  My eyes narrowed. “If you think threatening me will work, you’re wrong.”

  “I’m not threatening. I’m giving you the facts. I don’t want to see you hurt any more than Javier does.”

  “And why would you care?”

  “You don’t know me, but we are more alike than you want to admit. We were both born into violence, and we were both given to men as bargaining chips. All I’m asking is that you hear me out. If you still want to leave after that, I won’t stop you.”

  I bit my lip, hesitating. Was it possible that she had been through what I was facing now? And if she had, how did she seem so nice and normal? Surely she should be just as miserable and messed up as I was.

  My curiosity alone wasn’t enough to keep me there, but fear of what I might face outside the apartment was the deciding factor. I sat back down, resigned.

  “Okay. Let’s talk.”

  Ana Lucia grinned. “Perfecto.” She leaned down and rummaged in her large purse. “I brought something to take the edge off.” She produced a fifth of tequila from the bag.

  I had never been happier to see alcohol. A drink suddenly seemed like the best idea in the world. It would help me relax after the long, lonely days that had frayed my nerves.

  She stood and searched the cabinets until she found two shot glasses. Then she went to the fridge, and when she turned back to me, she was holding a lime.

  “I love a man with a well-stocked kitchen,” she declared with a smile.

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “Santiago really likes to cook.”

  She shot me a small frown as sh
e began slicing up the lime. “Why don’t you call him Javier?”

  “I don’t really know him. It’s not like we’re friends.”

  “You really should give him a chance, you know,” she admonished. “You might not like what he is, but you could like who he is. Like I said; he’s a good man.”

  “Does a good man keep a woman locked up against her will?” I challenged.

  “I told you. Javier is fierce. He’s very passionate about everything. And if he’s passionate about protecting you, then he’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

  “It’s not right,” I protested.

  She poured the tequila and offered me some lime. “Right and wrong are not so clear in our world, no?”

  I didn’t like how she kept referring to it as our world. I wanted no part of it. Grimacing, I accepted the shot glass from her and threw back the tequila. It burned all the way down my throat, but I welcomed the tingly sensation it awoke inside me. The citrus flavor of the lime made it more palatable. Ana Lucia took her shot and immediately poured another for each of us. I took it gratefully. Warmth bloomed in my stomach, emanating out in a soothing wave that loosened my tense muscles. And my tongue.

  “So what’s your story?” I asked.

  “Like you, I was forced into an arranged marriage,” she began.

  “I haven’t agreed to marry him,” I insisted somewhat snappily.

  Ana Lucia sighed. “You should. If you don’t want men like my husband coming for you, then you will agree.”

  “Your husband?” I asked, confused.

  “Emilio Ramirez. I believe you met him a few days ago.” Her lips twisted in distaste.

  Unease teased at the corners of my mind. “If you’re Ramirez’s wife, what are you doing here? He’s not part of the Muertos tribe, and he seemed to hate Santiago.”

  “My little brother Miguel is Muertos, and so was my father. Five years ago, my father gave me to Emilio to form an alliance with Los Furiosos. It’s only been since Los Muertos took in Jonas Carter that things have become tense. Your father killed Emilio’s cousin in a territorial dispute with the Westies.”

  “Your husband can’t like that you’re here with me, then. He seemed to hate me.”

  Ana Lucia’s soft features turned grim. “Emilio doesn’t know I’m here. He knows I’m visiting my brother, but not Javier. He would be angry if he found out.”

  I recognized the flicker of fear in her eyes. “Will he hurt you for coming here?” I asked, suddenly concerned.

  She shook her head. “Emilio doesn’t care about me enough to keep track of me. He doesn’t beat me, but he doesn’t act like we’re married. I prefer it that way.”

  I read between the lines; Ramirez cheated on her. But if that bothered her, nothing in her countenance betrayed it.

  “If he doesn’t care, then why don’t you leave him?” She obviously didn’t love her husband. I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t try to find happiness with someone else.

  “Because I belong to him,” she replied, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. “If I left him and returned to my family, it would destroy what’s left of the peace between Los Furiosos and Los Muertos. He might come after Miguel. I won’t allow that to happen.”

  Grief and panic swirled in my chest. I didn’t want Los Muertos to take out their anger at me on Derek. “But I don’t want to belong to anyone,” I protested. “I wanted to get out of this life. I thought I had.”

  Sensing my mounting turmoil, Ana Lucia poured another shot and pushed it toward me. I threw it back without a thought.

  “You never get out,” she told me sadly. “Javier told me he wants you to go back to college. He won’t stop you from living the life you want. The only difference will be you’ll come home to him at the end of the day instead of staying with your roommate. He won’t violate you. I know he won’t.”

  “That’s not the life I want!” I burst out. “It’s not supposed to be this way. I’m supposed to meet a nice boy and live a normal life with him. I don’t want to be a gangster’s wife.”

  “It’s better than being dead.” Ana Lucia was suddenly stern. “I’m sure Javier has explained the dangers you face if you refuse him. If you’re part of his family, you’re part of the Muertos tribe. They’ll all have no choice but to protect you. Men like my husband won’t attack you, because that would mean war.”

  I thought of Ortiz and Reyes. I couldn’t imagine them protecting me.

  But harsh reality was closing in on me. By refusing Santiago, I was not only putting myself in danger, but Derek as well. If I was Santiago’s family, then Derek would be too. Ortiz and Reyes would think twice before hurting him.

  And Santiago had promised it wouldn’t be permanent. He had only asked for a few months. It wouldn’t be a life sentence.

  I thought of how he held me so tenderly, how he prepared meals for me and walked me to class. He had been taking care of me ever since he had saved me from Ortiz. And now he was offering me more protection. Ana Lucia said he was a good man, and he hadn’t done anything to suggest otherwise.

  Other than keeping me prisoner.

  But in his own twisted way, even that was in my best interest. I still wasn’t sure if I believed him about the arrangement being temporary, but my experience with his caring nature was making me waver in my resolve to resist him. If he was telling the truth about releasing me from the marriage in a few months, then it really would be stupid of me to refuse. I would much prefer signing some meaningless papers to staying locked up for the duration.

  “I’d like another shot, please.” I pushed the glass toward Ana Lucia. She poured one for herself as well. A few seconds after the alcohol hit my system, a pleasant buzz pervaded my body and muddled my mind.

  “Be honest with me,” Ana Lucia insisted. “Do you really think Javier is a bad man?”

  “No,” I admitted, tipsiness coaxing forth the truth I wouldn’t have otherwise admitted. “He’s nice to me. Other than the imprisonment thing. He’s been a ruthless bastard about that.”

  “But he’s never hurt you.”

  I sighed. “No, he hasn’t. He’s actually kind of sweet to me.”

  Her brows rose. “Kind of?”

  “Okay, he’s always sweet to me. Sometimes, he holds me when I’m upset, and I can’t help but find it comforting. But that’s really messed up. He’s just like my father, and I hate my father.”

  “Your father was cruel to you?” She guessed. I nodded. “But Javier isn’t. How does that make them alike?”

  I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling stubborn. It was so much easier to keep Santiago in the same category as Jonas. They were part of the same violent world. Santiago said he went to college. He chose to be part of the Kings. I couldn’t like a man who would choose that.

  “He wants to be in the Kings,” I said. “He chose this life.”

  Ana Lucia’s eyes softened. “Javier lost his family. You can’t blame him for looking for a new one. No matter what else they are, the Kings are a family. A man needs that, even if he won’t admit it.”

  Guilt tugged at my insides. I had judged Santiago harshly, but what Ana Lucia had said was true; right and wrong weren’t so clear in our world. Santiago wasn’t cruel. He might be ruthless and capable of violence, but I had never seen him hurt anyone without cause.

  My father might have been terrible to me, but Derek had always been a constant in my life. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose him, to have no one. My friends at school were nice, but they didn’t really know me. Derek understood me. He would do anything for me. He had proven that when he allowed the Kings to take over his club in order to keep me safe.

  Family was essential, even if they weren’t part of your blood. I thought of the affection I had glimpsed between Santiago and Miguel. That relationship clearly meant a lot to him.

  This time, I poured the shots. As I tipped one back, I heard the apartment door opening.

  Crap. Santiago was back. I h
ad missed my chance to escape. I wondered if Ana Lucia had gotten me drunk on purpose to keep me with her.

  To keep you safe. I couldn’t bring myself to think of her intentions as nefarious. She obviously didn’t want me to put myself in danger. Even if she was telling me things I didn’t want to hear, she was kind.

  “Was that bottle full when you started, Ana?” Santiago’s disapproving voice floated over my shoulder.

  “Hey!” I began indignantly, pushing back my chair. It seemed very important that I come to her defense. She had been nothing but nice to me, after all. And I didn’t think I would have been able to talk to her so candidly without the liquid courage. I stood to face Santiago.

  Well, I tried to stand. What had been a pleasant buzz increased to full-on drunkenness as soon as I got to my feet. My vision swam and I swayed. Familiar hands closed around my waist, steadying me. The feel of them pressing into my flesh made warmth coil low in my belly. I recognized it as the early stirrings of lust. Damn it. Tequila always made me horny.

  “You got her drunk,” Santiago accused Ana Lucia.

  I blinked hard to make the room come into focus. But I couldn’t shake off my double vision, and Santiago seemed to have two sets of disapproving brown eyes.

  “It’s not like she forced it down my throat. I’m a big girl. I make my own choices.” My declaration was ruined when my voice slurred.

  The corners of Santiago’s lips turned down. “No. You’re tiny. And you obviously can’t handle your liquor. Come on. Let’s get you into bed.” His arm wrapped around my lower back, guiding me towards the bedroom. I was embarrassed to realize I needed the support.

  “I was talking to Ana,” I protested.

  “It’s okay,” she called after me, her voice tinged with amusement. “I’ll see you soon, Charlotte.”

  Before I could resist further, Santiago lowered me down onto the edge of the bed. His hand closed around my shoulder, pressing me back against the mattress. I compliantly swung my legs up and tucked them under the covers. Really, lying on my back was much easier than sitting up.

  I stared up at Santiago. He was so damn handsome. That sucked. I didn’t want to like him, and I didn’t want to find him attractive. But the tequila had melted my barriers, and I felt familiar heat gathering at my core in response to his nearness.