“Yes.”
“Then she can Facebook call or use any of the apps that allow you to call internationally.”
“Shit. Son of a bitch.”
“I’m not saying she’s going to, but just be careful. Do you want me to track her keystrokes on the tablet?”
“I shouldn’t, but go ahead.”
“At least until you’re sure she’s not going to run.”
“Do you think I’m a fool?”
“Not at all. I’d just hate to see if she tried to leave you.”
“Let’s drop this shit.” We pull through the gate and Fernando drops me off at the front steps while he parks. It’s already one in the morning. Fuck, she’s got to be passed out now.
I enter the house, hoping to be quiet. My stomach rumbles, but I just want to see my wife. When I push open the bedroom door, she’s not inside. I call out her name but I get no answer, so I check the bathroom and it’s empty.
Running down the stairs two at a time, Fernando sees me and I bark out, “She’s not up there.” I storm through the house, looking for my guards, but I didn’t tell them to keep an eye on her partly because I’m a jealous son of a bitch, but because it wasn’t like she could leave. The outside is a fortress. They won’t let her out by herself.
I open the library door and there she is, sleeping with a book on her chest. My heart’s beating against my ribs, and I release a sigh. Fernando’s footsteps stop at the door. “I’ll be in the kitchen. Do you want some food?”
“Yeah.” I grab the throw over the back of the other chair and lay it over her. I’ll get her after I eat.
A half hour later, I can’t wait any longer to see my Dove. I enter the library, and I see the tablet on the table next to her head. I touch it, and the first thing I see is her internet browser open. They say you shouldn’t snoop just in case you don’t like what you see, but I can’t stop myself. Divorce in Spain for non-citizen. International abduction. How to cross borders without documents.
I slam it down and step on it. This startles her awake. “Victor?”
“Yes, it’s your husband, wife.”
“What happened?”
“Your tablet was on the floor. I accidentally stepped on it.”
“What? It was still in the box.” I look, and the box is sitting on the table.
“Maybe you didn’t remember to put it back.”
“I didn’t even turn it on. I’ve been reading this.” She shows me Frankenstein, which is open halfway. “I read Dracula earlier and wanted to read another gothic book. What time is it?” She’s fucking lying to me. I hate it. I want to grab her around the throat and tell her she’s staying put, and if she lies to me again I’ll punish her good, but I don’t want her running from me.
“It’s almost two. Come—it’s time for bed.”
“Did you just get back?”
“No. I ate dinner. Come. It’s time for bed. Don’t make me tell you again.”
“Look, you don’t have to be a prick.” She throws off the blanket and stands, pushing away my proffered hand. She marches past me, leaving her phone and book lying there. I take her phone with me to examine later. Fernando was right. I shouldn’t have given her that much trust.
I follow behind her, nearly catching the bedroom door in the face as she attempts to slam it behind her. She strips out of her shorts and then walks into the bathroom. This is going to be a fucking nightmare.
I strip down and wait for her to get out of the bathroom before I go in there to get ready. Once I come back out, she’s on her side, sleeping or at least pretending to sleep. I turn off the lights and climb into bed beside her.
10
Dove
It’s been three weeks since he brought me here, and in that time, we’ve spent our nights together in bed. He hardly speaks to me most days. So, we’re going to play this game, as if we’re really married. My heart thumps in my chest every time Victor’s hands are on me, but it must be a sense of revulsion. I do my best to avoid his touch, but he’s not shy about taking what he wants, even down to the subtle caresses.
Night after night we fuck like lust-filled lovers, but then he’s gone in the morning as if I’m nothing but a nightly stop off. It breaks my heart. Everyone around here treats me like a queen, meeting every need I have, but it’s Victor I want, and not just his impressive dick. I want his love—something I’m afraid I’ll never have. Maybe it’s my naivety that allows me to hope, but day after lonely day, that feeling fades more and more.
Today, I’m breaking his rules and sneaking out. I’ve had enough of being just here. Victor has a meeting today in another part of the country, which means he can’t get to me that fast once he finds I’ve stolen his credit card.
Whatever. All I care about is getting out of the house. I spend most of my days alone in our bedroom or in the library. They bring me my food because I keep forgetting to eat, which seems to work Victor’s nerves. He spanks, then fucks me when I forget. I’m starting to enjoy my sudden forgetfulness. Although that’s the extent of our relationship. We’ve never moved past the sexual aspect of our relationship. Hell, he still hasn’t even given me the tour he promised me.
Victor enters our bedroom when I thought he was already leaving. “Don’t you look adorable. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Since when do I go anywhere? Not that you would have noticed. You would have to be here to notice that. So anyways, I’ll be lounging about while attempting to wear some of the more fashionable pieces you bought.”
“I can ask my mother if she wants to come over.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t want to hear more talk about babies and all of the things we can do to the nursery.”
“Someone’s in a bad mood. I’ll be home by this evening. Are you going to be in a better mood then?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s that time of month, so who knows.”
“Is it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve lost track of my schedule.”
“Well, if it is, please let me know.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll be notified.”
“Okay. I really have to go or I’ll be late.”
“I’m not stopping you.” I hold back the tears. I’m losing my heart to a man who only has one use for me.
“Damn it, wife.”
“I’m fucking bored. You leave, and I’m stuck here. You never replaced my tablet; my phone is limited to phone calls now. You’re treating me like a prisoner, not a wife, so don’t call me your wife.”
“You’re my fucking wife no matter how much you don’t want to be here. I don’t give a fuck how bored you are. Maybe you’ll learn not to fucking lie to me.”
“I’ve never lied to you.” Okay, I never lied before. Now I’m furious with him. He’s an asshole who thinks sex is going to keep me here.
“Don’t start that shit. I won’t let my guard down again.”
“I thought you said you have to leave.”
“Don’t get smart with me. I have to go, but if you misbehave, I’ll make sure you’ll be punished.”
“Misbehave? Like tell your employees that we’re not in love and that you paid to have me?” He’s on me in a second with his hand wrapped around my throat and his thumb pressing my chin upward.
“You like to test me, don’t you, my little Dove?” He gives a tiny squeeze. It’s not to hurt me, but to show he’s serious. All it does is cause my pussy to gush cream all over my panties. He’s so damn hot when he’s bossy. “You do, because you know I’m going to have to remind you that you’re mine, but today I do not have time. You will have to wait for your punishment. Behave.”
“I’m going to behave. It’s not like I need everyone to know my shameful past.” He growls and releases his grip.
After twenty minutes, there’s a knock at my door. “Señora Serrano, are you ready?”
“I’m coming.”
I walk to the door and open it up. Vicente stands there in a suit like the rest, but he’s looking a little les
s stiff. He gives me a smile that makes me smile back. Of all the guards here, he’s been the nicest to me. The rest are super stiff and just answer my questions with as few words as possible. Lately, everyone has been a little colder except Vicente, Maria, and Geraldo.
“Looking lovely, Dove. We better head out before the shops get crowded.” I’m shocked by his informality, but I’m just excited to get out of the house so I don’t press it. He offered to take me when I mentioned sneaking out as a joke. Still, I don’t like his informality. That’s the first time since I arrived that anyone other than Victor has called me by my name instead of Señora or Mrs. Serrano.
Fernando and two other guards are going with Victor today. Vicente is supposed to be at the gate, but right now there’s no one there and we have time to sneak out. I’ve already made up a lie so Vicente doesn’t get into trouble.
We move to his black sedan, and he opens the front passenger door. “I figured you’d want a little less formality today.”
“Thanks,” I say, turning my head with a smile. I really do want to not feel trapped or scared. He helps me in with his hand on my side, and I freeze. No one is allowed to touch me. Damn it, I hope he doesn’t get in trouble for it. Maybe no one saw it. I close my eyes and then buckle my seat belt as he shuts the door.
Once he goes around and enters, I say, “You shouldn’t touch me. It’s one of Victor’s rules.”
“Honest mistake. It is customary as gentlemen.” He gives me a half smile.
“Yes, but I don’t want Victor to take it out on you. He’s a little crazy, and I’m already pushing the envelope today.”
“It shall be our secret.” He winks and then begins to drive. I’m getting a strange vibe about all of this. Maybe it’s because I’m not used to people being nice to me or because I know that I’m in for it when I get back.
“So how far is it from here?”
“About ten minutes. Relax. It’s your first day of freedom. There are a lot of stores for you to enjoy. Street vendors are out and about. Do you have anything like that in New York?”
“Yes, lots of them. Does it get that busy here?” What if there’s one of Victor’s enemies out there waiting for the right moment to strike? I know he’s done a good job of hiding our marriage. I don’t even have a ring on my finger.
“Not at all.”
“Good. Are you going to be my translator?”
“Yes, little Dove.” Okay. That sends a chill through me, and I don’t say another word. Victor would be angry at the familiarity. I’m uncomfortable with it.
“Is something wrong?” he asks as he comes to a stop.
“I would just prefer if we keep this less friendly. Victor wouldn’t be happy.”
“I’m surprised you care. Unless you’re just worried about being killed by him, then I’d understand. He’s a ruthless son of a bitch. He keeps you trapped while out banging his mistress every week. It’s where he’s going on ‘business’ today. He always goes to see her and their two daughters.”
“What?” I gasp, nearly choking on my own shock.
“I’m just saying. It makes no sense that he brought you here and married you when he has a ready-made family.” He shrugs like this is no big deal and that I’m already aware of Victor’s betrayal.
He barely finishes parking when I get out of the car before he can stop me. I don’t want to hear more right now and sadly, I don’t want to believe him because my heart can’t handle the betrayal. It’s silly because I’m just another possession to Victor, but I still hurt.
Taking a deep breath, a plan comes to my mind. I am going to spend Victor’s money like it’s going out of style, and then I’m going to resell the shit and get a ticket out of my own personal hell.
“Are you okay, Dove?”
“I’m fine. I’m here to shop. Please, no more talk of my fake-ass husband.” He follows behind me—a little too close for comfort per Victor’s request, but my chest is too busy breaking. We go from store to store, most staring at me in wonder especially when we pay. I might have stolen Victor’s card, but he stole my heart and then broke it. If he’s going to treat me like a whore, I’m collecting on the tab.
11
Victor
Three weeks, and things aren’t getting better. If anything, they’ve gotten a shitload worse. Dove has only let me into her body. Her heart remains unavailable to me. It’s as if she’s hardened it so hard that I may never get her to love me. Perhaps I haven’t given her a reason.
“Did you pick up the gift like I asked?” I inquire, knowing it’s pointless because he wouldn’t forget. He’s not the one with his head up his ass. I’m the one with a wife who takes up every thought in my head, causing me to be careless. I should have handled the little attacks by Julio’s men. I’m starting to prove I’m my father’s son with the way I’m letting the business slip. Although, it doesn’t help that I have no proof it was his men starting this shit.
“Of course I did. It’s wrapped and labeled for the little man. It’s in the back.”
“Gracias. It’s not like I’ve had time to go, and I sure as hell didn’t want Dove to see the present and ask questions.”
“Do you think it’s wise to keep this from her like a dirty little secret?” he questions. It’s just the two of us because Marcelino’s preparing the helicopter and Julian’s got a stomach virus.
“It’s for the best. If she knew the truth about my family, she’d believe I was like my father and find another way to escape.” I need to get both areas of my life under control. It’s time to take Julio by the balls and tear his budding empire to the ground.
I hate leaving Dove, and I loathe leaving someone else to watch over her while I work, but these things must be done. With the constant issues at the winery, vineyard, and the new property in Calabria, I’ve had so much on my plate that I’ve had little to no time to convince her that she should stay. Something feels wrong today. It’s not just her anger. My gut is telling me that I shouldn’t leave her there alone, but she doesn’t want my mother to come over. She’s pissed because I refuse to replace the tablet. I have, but it’s locked up in my drawer. I want to give it to her, but there’s a lack of trust that can’t be worked out until we have time.
Soon I’ll take her out, but I worry that she’ll resent my lifestyle. She doesn’t know about my siblings or the war I’m going through with one of them. I’d hate for her to believe I’m just like my father. There’s still so much to prove to her. If only we had more time together and I spent it with my dick in my pants and my hands and mouth to myself, but she turns me into an animal. I always have to have her.
We’re taking a helicopter out to visit my half sister and her little one for his birthday. I made a promise that I would, plus I’m supposed to pick up a special item I had her make for Dove. Her husband worked for me, but he died last year in an accident at one of the vineyards. He’d been drinking too much and fell off the side of a cliff driving home. It was devastating to my sister because he hadn’t been alone. He was with his mistress, embarrassing her one more time.
“The copter will be ready to take off in ten minutes,” Marcelino says. I nod and return to thoughts about my wife. She hates me, even if her body disagrees. Her body sings with rapture as I fill her with my seed, but there is no love. I live for her and don’t know how to change her heart. She can’t forgive me for the past, and maybe I can’t forgive myself.
Fernando takes the present and a bottle of wine as a gift to our hostess and then we board the helicopter. I wonder if Dove has ever been on one. Will she be too afraid to go on one? Damn, I’m fucking obsessed with her. It’s only a twenty-minute flight, but the entire time my thoughts are on seeing my sister quickly, giving my nephew his present, and getting back to Dove so I can show her I’m not a total bastard.
“Fernando, I hate to do this, but I want to make the trip a quick one. I can’t leave Dove for a long time.”
“She can’t get out anyway. How about you send Hector over to c
heck on her?”
“I don’t want another man around her. One she can actually get along with. One who didn’t treat her like a whore.”
“Maybe a divorce is for the best.”
“Heaven fucking help me. If you ever say that shit again, I’ll forget we’re friends. There will be no divorce.”
My half sister comes running over. “You made it,” she says, looking around. “I hoped you would have brought her.”
“Where’s the birthday boy?”
“He’s coming.” My nephew comes running, and I wrap him up in a hug and pick him up. “Happy Birthday, mijo!”
“I’m so happy you came.”
“I’m sorry, buddy, but I can’t stay.”
“No?”
“Primo, come on—the pool’s calling our name.”
“Go have fun. We’ll see each other soon.”
“You promise?”
“Yes. Oh, and before I forget. Here’s your present.” He takes it from me as his cousins call out for him. Luisa has two siblings who have four kids each, all around his age.
“Thank you, Tio Victor.” He wraps his arms around my waist and squeezes hard before running back to the house with his present.
“Luisa. Can you please get me that box?” I question and she nods, knowing what I’m talking about.
“It’s already ready.” She pulls it out of her pocket. I open the small box and examine the pieces.
“Your work is masterful.” I slide on the one that belongs on my finger.
“Thank you.” She blushes with happiness. Luisa’s super talented and needs her own shop to sell jewelry. “It’s just as you requested. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Soon.” I give her a hug. “I have to go and get this on her before she runs off.”
We turn back and walk to the helipad. As soon as we’re up in the air, Fernando says, “If you don’t want her to run, you better get that ring on her finger and take time off to spend with her that doesn’t include fucking her brains out. Take her on a vacation.”
“How can I when everything is a mess? Julio picked a hell of a time to fuck with us. I should have put a bullet in his head all those years ago. His men know exactly where to attack without being seen.” It strikes me that he must have someone working from the inside of my organization. “Son of a bitch.”
Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series Page 10
