Page 50 of Hostile Love
“And you, mi hija…the way your expression changes when you talk about Matheus leads me to believe you could easily tolerate the man long enough to marry him. What's the problem?”
“What’s the problem?” My gritty tone verges on disrespectful. “I’m not into arranged marriages, Blanco. I’m the one you call when you need something important taken care of. You count on me, because I’m loyal and efficient at what I do. I follow through on your every command. I’d put my life on the line for this family. But I can’t––I won’t do that.”
I keep my eyes on his whiskey glass, suddenly wishing I had a drink to drown my uneasiness.
“When you came to me for help,” he begins, his voice calm even though his cadence holds a sharp edge. “You were fully aware of my expectations, Daniela.”
He takes a sip of liquor.
“Perhaps I should remind you of the facts––that you wouldn't exist if it wasn’t for me.”
“Blanco…”
“Listen to me. And listen very carefully, Daniela.”
He strolls between two armchairs on his way to the hearth and positions himself on top of a fancy rug. Although he’s casual in his strides, his entire presence gives off a cold vibe.
My muscles brace and my fingers twitch, ready to defend myself if needed.
It's a dumb subconscious thing to do when we’re alone. After all, I’d never turn on this man.
“A long time ago, I made an oath to watch over my best friend's sons. I kept that promise, and he stayed out of my way. But Matheus isn’t Elias’ son and I’m not his godfather.”
Blanco runs his tongue under his top lip.
“He signed a contract, which means you and him are getting married, whether you want to or not. There’s no way out of it alive.”
“What do you mean?” I frown. “You’d kill me?”
“No, no,” he protests with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t kill my own child. I’m not a monster.”
Blanco looks me dead in the eye.
“If Matheus disrespects me and doesn’t fulfill his end of our agreement, I’ll put a million-dollar bounty on his head. It won't just be professional hitmen and gangs after him, it’ll be money grabbing low lives walking past him on the street…serving him dinner or opening his car door. He’ll become the most wanted criminal in the world.”
15
MATHEUS
“Maybe we already have a problem?” Tomás states, looking right into my soul with his black eyes. “Do we?”
I sigh heavily. “I said we’d have a problemifyou go after Dani. Back off and we won’t need to find out.”
“What sort of problem would we be talking about, Matheus? My little brother coming for me with Carlos Blanco backing him?” he asks, his expression deadpan.
“Is it more power you’re after? Or are you looking for a father figure in him, or maybe a puppet master? Looks like Blanco’s daughter is pulling your strings already. Or perhaps you’d pull a gun on me again. Remember how I told you that would end?”
The hairs on my nape rise like hackles. I bare my teeth at him, anger boiling my blood.
“Don’t, Tommy. I’m not a fucking traitor and I’ve never planned to go up against you,” I assure him. “You might be the big boss…and the man I respect more than anyone else on the planet…but it won’t stop me from punching your teeth out of your face if you don’t stay away from her. And yeah, I’d do it, Tommy. Me and you. No weapons. No soldiers stepping in to help or snipers at the ready. Just us, sorting it out. Brother to brother.”
Tomás doesn’t even try to hide his smirk. But something different flashes behind his eyes, a look that reminds me of Papá.
A hint of paranoia––or maybe it’s the true sense of power running through a man’s soul.
“Right. Me and you, yeah.” He places his hand on my shoulder. “Our brother is in intensive care. Let’s focus on family for now. We’ll figure the rest out after.”
I nod. “Agreed.”
