Page 16 of The Love Language of the Cartel

“And the female mule?”

“Paid well for her job, and the bodies have been disposed of how you asked.”

“All?” I asked, brow lurching upward.

“All but one,” he clarified.

I nodded, pleased. “Good. I’ll take it from here. My fiancée and I have much to discuss.”

As if on cue, Demi began to stir. A delicate moan escaped her lips as her eyelids fluttered. I leaned in closer, eager to see those brown eyes I’d heard so much about.

“Ugh,” she groaned, slowly lifting a hand to her forehead. “My head is killing me.”

Her eyes snapped open suddenly, darting around the large cart in confusion before landing on me. Recognition dawned, followed quickly by fear and anger. She tried to sit up, but Javier’s hand on her shoulder kept her in place.

I decided to break the ice. “I’m sure you know who I am and why you’re here.”

The realization snatched the air straight from her lungs. Her eyes ballooned when she realized the amount of danger she wasin. Demi swallowed hard, her throat working as she struggled to find her voice. When she spoke, there was a tremor.

“I know exactly who you are. W-what happened t-to the bride a-and Samara a-and, oh my God! What the fuck did you do, and why am I here? Our marriage is supposed to be off the table!” She screamed at me, chest heaving in and out as her anxiety started to take hold.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her spirit. Even drugged and at my mercy, she still had fight in her. “Oh,mi amor,” I growled, leaning in closer. “Your father may have terminated our deal, but I’m afraid I don’t accept his decision. You see, you’re the key to everything I want—and I intend to make you my wife whether your daddy likes it or not. And as for your friends,” I said, clasping my hands together. “They’re dead.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “D-dead? Are you insane? What the hell is wrong with you, you fucking monster? You just go around killing innocent people for fun?”

“I don’t find killing fun,mi amor. I find it necessary. And for your information, the wedding that was set to take place there on Sunday was for one of my rivals. No bride, no wedding. That’s two birds, one stone in my book, and I love efficiency.”

She daggered her glare at me, hoping that by showing me her teeth, I’d tuck my tail and stand down. “My fatherwillkill you. Do you hear me? He isn’t the kind of man you fuck with.”

Something snapped inside me at the sound of her words. In an instant, I was in her face, my hands gripping the sides of the cart as I loomed over her. “And you think I am?” I roared, watching her flinch. “Do I look like the kind of man who gets fucked with, Demi?”

To my surprise, a bark of laughter escaped her lips. “Actually, you do,” she replied, her brown eyes glittering with defiance.

“Mind your fuckin’ tongue,” I growled, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look at me. “With me, there are rules. It’s the onlything that separates us from animals in the wild. You don’t exist outside the rules. It’s something you’ll have to learn if you’re going to survive beingmywife.”

She jerked away from my grip, glaring daggers at me. “I’ve never minded my tongue in my fucking life,” she spat. “I speak my mind and do what I want, when I want. And I sure as shit won’t be on your fucking leash.”

A smile tugged at my lips despite my anger. Oh, how I was going to enjoy taming the wildflower. “That’s what you think,mi amor,” I murmured, running a finger along her baby-soft jawline. She tried to bite me, but I was too quick. “But you’ll learn.”

I stepped back, nodding to Javier. “Are we ready to leave?”

“Si,Jefe,” he replied, reaching for something in his pocket.

Demi’s eyes widened as she spotted the syringe. “What the fu—” Her protest was cut short as Javier jabbed the needle into her neck. Her long lashes fluttered, and her eyes rolled back as she went limp once more.

Ángel chuckled as he helped put the cover back over the cart. “She’s got quite a mouth on her, boss.”

I couldn’t keep the grin off my face as I gathered my things. “And I look forward to putting that mouth to good use.”

As we made our way out of the office, my mind was already racing with plans. Demi may have thought she could resist me, but she had no idea what she was up against. I’d waited too long and sacrificed too much to let this fiery spirited creature derail my ambitions.

By the time we reached my private elevator, I’d taken a few deep breaths and calmed myself down. I would make Demi Malone mine, body and soul. And through her, I’d crush her father and claim everything he held dear.

The elevator doors slid shut, carrying us down to the waiting car. I felt a thrill of anticipation. The real game was just beginning—and I intended to win, no matter the cost.

The elevator dinged softly as it reached the ground floor. I stepped out first, my polished shoes clicking against the marble as I led the way through the deserted lobby. The overnight security guard nodded respectfully as we passed, averting his eyes from the covered cart Javier pushed behind me.

Smart man.In my world, curiosity could be a death sentence.

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