CHAPTER TWENTY

I shut the bathroom door behind me, my fingers trembling as I twisted the lock for some illusion of safety. The soft click seemed louder than it should have been, echoing in the silence like a final nail being driven into a coffin. My breath was ragged and shallow. For a moment, I just stood there, staring at nothing, my heart thudding painfully in my chest and my bare feet on the cold floor. My heels were cradled in one arm, I’d taken them off to move in silence, away from my shame.

Slowly, I turned to face the mirror, and what I saw magnified every ugly, nasty emotion rooted in my chest. My hair was a tangled mess, wild from his hands pulling at it. My lips were swollen and bruised from kisses that felt more like a punishment than anything resembling affection. And there, on my neck, faint marks still remained where his fingers had gripped me, reminding me of the control he had, and I let him take .

What really gutted me was the large engagement ring now on my finger—shining like a mocking beacon, a symbol of everything I’d lost. My future, my freedom, and worst of all, my dignity. I stared at it, the weight of the diamond-like it was made of iron.

I bit down hard on my lip, fighting the sob that was crawling up my throat, but it was no use. A ragged breath escaped, and I slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle the sound. I couldn’t stop the tears, though. They blurred my vision, turning my reflection into something unrecognizable.

What the hell am I doing?

The question tore through me, sharper than any pain Mateo could inflict. I pressed my hand tighter against my lips, trying to hold it all in—the grief, the fear, the anger. I thought of Molly, how I hadn’t even had time to grieve her properly. The woman who raised me, gone in an instant. And Eva...my sister, my other half.

Still missing .

I had no idea if she was even alive, but I was gambling everything to find her.

And that’s why I had to marry this man.

To get what I wanted I had to marry him, live with him, and play this sick game. And we hadn’t even made it to the engagement ceremony. I wasn’t sure if I could do this.

But I had to.

I had to swallow the pain, bury it deep, and carry on. For Eva, for Molly... for myself. Even though it felt like it was going to tear me apart.

Less than thirty minutes after my breakdown, I found myself in the backseat of a luxury sedan. My thoughts were still a tangled mess, but my mask was at least secure again .

The driver, a tall man with a military bearing, was meticulously dressed in a sharp black suit. His hair was cropped short, and he wore dark sunglasses like the last driver had, which obscured his eyes, adding to his professional and stoic demeanor. He had only spoken three words to me, all of them curt and formal, leaving no room for conversation.

As the car glided smoothly down the road, I noticed a bottle of water and a small bag resting on the seat beside me. Curiosity gnawed at me, and I picked it up, finding two pills inside that looked identical to the ones I took daily. It was ironic, considering the line of work Mateo was involved in, that he would ensure I had my medication. But it wasn’t surprising that he would find out such personal information. Nothing seemed out of reach for him.

The realization threw me into a deeper state of turmoil .

If these were truly my pills, it meant Mateo had access to my most intimate details, and there was no telling what else he knew about me. But if they weren’t… I couldn’t risk it. I wasn’t going to take that chance, no matter how much they looked like mine. I stared at the pills for a moment longer, then set them aside and reached for the water instead. The cool liquid slid down my throat, offering some small comfort.

My body felt like a battleground, each inch of skin a reminder of his violation. The shame burned hot in my cheeks. I kept replaying him roughly bending me over that table, treating me like nothing more than a worthless whore. He didn't care who saw or heard us, whether it be his own men or even his family members passing by. The memory made me want to shrink into myself. At the same time, my body betrayed me with its craving for his touch. It was a never-ending battle within myself, one that left me feeling broken and helpless .

The previous night, I had given in to his every desire without hesitation. Now, I couldn't deny the shock and confusion overwhelming me. Was something wrong with me? I’d gone as far as following his absurd command to keep his semen inside me. I couldn't help but hate myself for giving in to him so easily, for allowing him to treat me so ruthlessly.

And yet, this was just the beginning - a mere hint of what our marriage would inevitably become. Worse, I could sense his restraint. From the way he moved within me to how he reacted to my naivety and futile objections. I knew that there was a deeper reason behind it all, one that only he held the answers to. This dance of pleasure and pain would continue, and I was powerless to do anything about it.

My phone rang again, the persistent buzzing cutting through the silence in the car. I glanced at the screen and saw my uncle’s name flashing for the fourth time .

With a sigh, I silenced it, unwilling to deal with him right now. I’d texted earlier that I would speak to them soon, but the thought of actually doing it gave me a headache. How was I supposed to explain all of this to my grandmother? I couldn’t care less about my uncle’s opinion—he was the last person I wanted to talk to.

But my grandmother…

She had gone out of her way to give Aunt Molly a proper funeral, and for appearance’s sake, she’d done the same for Eva, despite everything. The thought of facing her, of trying to explain what had happened and what I was entangled in, made my stomach churn. I glanced down at my phone again, hoping for a distraction, but Peyton and Melody still hadn’t replied to my texts. The silence from them only added to the unease building inside me. With a resigned sigh, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the seat .

I heard a voice calling my name, soft but insistent. It was Mateo’s. Wait—Mateo? My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I was disoriented, unsure of where I was. It took a second to register that the driver was holding a phone out toward me, and Mateo was on the other end of the line.

I took the phone, blinking away the confusion. “Hello?”

“If you were tired, you could have gone back to sleep, anjinho .” His voice was smooth, almost amused.

“I didn’t know that was an option,” I muttered, still trying to shake off the grogginess.

The line went silent for a moment, and then he responded, his tone more serious. “I’ll see you soon.” Before I could say anything else, there was a beep to signal the call had ended .

I handed the phone back to the driver, giving him a questioning look. “Why didn’t you just wake me up?”

His expression remained stoic as he responded, “Mr. Escuro made it very clear you aren’t to speak to other men without his consent. As far as touching, that would cause me to lose my hands.”

I stared at him. The image of the severed limb flashed through my mind. A brutal warning, wrapped in flesh and bone, delivered in an elegant box.

“We have arrived,” the driver added, his voice breaking through the haze of my thoughts. I looked up just in time to see him stepping out of the car.

I turned to look out the window, taking in the sight of the boutique Mateo had mentioned earlier. The name was etched in elegant script above the entrance, and the store itself was a study in opulence .

The intricate gold latticework on the windows and the polished marble exterior made it clear that this was no ordinary boutique. This was a place where only the wealthiest of the wealthy shopped, a shrine to excess and luxury. It clicked then, as I stared up at it.

My sister had shopped here before, flaunting the latest designer pieces as if they were as casual as jeans and a t-shirt in our rundown neighborhood. I remembered the countless times she’d returned home with bags from this place, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of having something no one else did. Eva had loved this world, thrived in it even. She’d been born for luxury, whereas I’d always felt like I was playing dress-up, an imposter in a world that wasn’t mine when she begged me to try the clothes on. Now, standing outside, I wondered what my sister would think of me being here now, under such circumstances .

Would she be proud? Horrified? I wasn’t sure, but the thought of her brought a fresh wave of sadness and determination. As I stepped out of the car, the driver, who had barely spoken three words to me since our journey began, said in a measured tone, "I will be on standby, Miss. Take your time."

I nodded, appreciating his professionalism, knowing he had to have an opinion on this whole situation. I turned and approached the grand entrance to the boutique. The streets around me were eerily quiet, devoid of the usual hustle and bustle as if the entire area had been cleared out just for my arrival. Mateo's doing, no doubt. As I pushed open the door, I paused, taking in the interior.

The boutique was a vision of refined luxury, from the sleek modern fixtures to the soft lighting that bathed everything in a warm, inviting glow. One wall displayed the words " You Are Beautiful" in elegant script, while the other featured a series of mirrors .

It wasn't the luxurious decor that made me stop in my tracks—it was the sight of Peyton and Melody waiting for me, their expressions a mix of relief and something else I couldn’t quite place. Beside them stood three fresh-faced staff members, each smiling politely, ready to cater to my every whim.

Peyton was the first to break the silence, stepping forward with a smirk. "We were wondering when you'd show up."

I froze, momentarily at a loss for words. "What are you two doing here?" I managed to ask, my voice betraying the surprise and confusion I felt.

Melody stepped forward, a wry smile playing on her lips. "We were summoned by your fiancé ," she replied, drawing out the word with deliberate emphasis. Her eyes roamed over me and her smile tightened.

Peyton clapped his hands together loudly. "Alright, folks—let's get to work! "

His voice was upbeat, almost as if this were any other day spent shopping, but I knew him well enough to see it was an act.

The staff, who had been waiting attentively, immediately sprang into action. One of them, a young woman with a sleek bob and impeccable style, approached me with a warm, professional smile. "Miss Castello, it's a pleasure to assist you today. We’ve already taken the liberty of preparing a selection based on your measurements and Mr. Escuros’ preferences."

"You... already have my measurements?" I asked though I shouldn't have been surprised. Of course, Mateo would have thought of everything.

"Yes, Miss," she replied smoothly. "We've curated a collection that we believe will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. If you’d like to follow me, we can get started right away. "

The staff member led me into a beautifully appointed room lined with full-length mirrors on three sides, the fourth wall dedicated entirely to an array of luxurious clothing. Each piece was more stunning than the last, a dizzying array of fabrics and colors that nearly made me forget why I was there. The lighting was soft and flattering, designed to make every angle perfect, and I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed.

Peyton and Melody followed close behind, their eyes scanning the room with a mix of curiosity and wariness. The staff member—her name tag read Isabella—turned to me with a polite smile. "Would you care for some refreshments while you browse, Miss Castello?"

Before I could answer, Melody chimed in, her voice breezy but firm. "Yes, that would be lovely. We'll have sparkling water, please, and perhaps a fruit platter if you have one. "

Isabella nodded and gestured to another attendant standing by the door. The young woman hurried off, returning moments later with a tray carrying glasses of sparkling water and an assortment of fresh fruit, arranged artfully on a silver platter.

Isabella then began explaining the different options laid out before me, speaking of the designers, the fabrics, and how each outfit could be tailored to fit my exact specifications. It was clear this wasn’t just about finding something to wear; it was about projecting a specific image—a role I was meant to step into.

As she spoke, I reached for a glass, feeling the bubbles tingle against my palm as I wrapped my fingers around the stem. Peyton suddenly turned to the staff; his smile was polite but his tone left no room for negotiation. "We appreciate all your help, but we need a bit of privacy now. "

The room fell silent, the staff exchanging brief glances before bowing their heads slightly in acknowledgment.

One by one, they filed out of the room, leaving the three of us alone. The quiet that followed was almost suffocating, filled with all the things we weren't saying. As the doors clicked shut behind the last of them, I turned toward my friends just as Melody surged forward.

She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. “Jesus Christ, El. I was so worried about you after that last text.”

“I’m okay,” I lied.

She let me go and then looked down. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the ring Mateo had placed on my finger. “Do you realize how much that ring is worth?” she asked, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.

I shook my head, feeling a bit out of my depth. “No,” I replied honestly .

“Is that really what’s important right now, Mel?” Peyton questioned,

“Our best friend is engaged to the man we were just warning her about less than twenty-four hours ago? I would fucking say so, Peyton.”

“That goes without saying,” he countered, then turned his sights to me. “How exactly did this happen?”

“Yeah, what happened last night?” she asked, her voice tinged with both concern and curiosity.

I took a seat on the egg-shaped sofa, needing a moment to gather my thoughts. The memory of the night before was still fresh, but it felt like something out of a dream—or a nightmare. "We had dinner, and then he took me to his home," I began, trying to keep my voice steady as I relayed the events.

Peyton raised an eyebrow. "So, he jack-rabbited you?" he remarked offhandedly .

I shot him an incredulous look. "Seriously?"

He simply shrugged, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I can see his handprint around your neck, babe."

My hand instinctively went to my neck, where I could still feel the faint remnants of Mateo's touch. I had tried to make it fade, but I hadn’t had much luck.

Melody frowned, stepping closer to get a better look. "He wasn’t too rough with you, was he?"

I didn’t want to lie to them, but I couldn’t bring myself to admit what had truly transpired just a few hours ago, either. It was too raw, too confusing to even put into words. So, I compromised. “Last night was intense, but I was… accepting of it.” I lifted my hand to show them the ring that now adorned my finger. "I got this today."

“He really proposed to you?” Peyton asked, his tone laced with disbelief .

“Not that there's anything wrong with you. You’re one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever met, but babe, the man has been with plenty of women. What the hell did you put on that man for him to wake up and wife you?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound hollow in my throat. Peyton had gotten it all wrong, and we both knew it. He was trying to lighten the mood, to pull me back to the surface because he sensed I was sinking too deep. He’d always been good at reading me.

“It wasn’t my sex-kitten moves,” I quipped dryly, managing a small smirk. “This is part of our deal, Peyton. He’ll bring Eva to me, or me to her, but it’s contingent on us having a whole engagement ceremony. It’s all... transactional.”

Melody sighed, running a hand through her long hair. “A deal... Of course, it is. That makes more sense.”

“That still doesn’t sit right, El. You deserve better than being part of some arrangement,” Peyton argued .

“Better?” I scoffed, shaking my head. “This is what I’ve got, Pey. If it means getting Eva back, I’ll do it. We knew he wouldn’t be doing this out of pure kindness from the start.”

Melody sat down beside me; her eyes filled with concern. “El, if it’s too much... if you want out...”

I shook my head, more resolute than I actually felt. “No,” I said quietly but firmly. “We agreed he was my best shot at finding Eva, and he’s promised to bring us back together. Even if I wanted to run, where would I go that he wouldn’t follow? And what would he do to the people who helped me try to leave?”

The weight of my own words pressed on my chest. Mateo wasn’t a man you escaped from; he was a man you survived. “I have to see this through. I don’t have another choice.”

Peyton, who had started pacing, finally stopped, a mix of frustration and understanding in his expression .

“Ya know, that twisted bastard may be a lot of things, but he does keep his word. Some underground honor code or whatever. Which, honestly, I can’t believe is a thing considering what these people get up to.”

Melody shook her head. “Yeah, but that ‘honor code’ is soaked in blood, El. You’re in so deep already.”

“I know,” I whispered, the enormity of the situation sinking in. “But like I said, I don’t have a choice.”

Melody softened, resting her hand on my arm. “Then we’ll be with you the whole way, no matter how dangerous this gets. But you have to promise us you won’t shut us out.”

I blinked back a surge of emotion, swallowing hard as I looked between the two people who had stood by me through everything, even miles apart. “I won’t,” I managed to say, my voice hoarse, knowing it was another lie. There was something less dangerous I could offer up, though .

“We need to figure out why he’s helping me. I get the whole value thing, but there has to be more to it than that.”

Peyton gave me a lopsided smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Okay. We can add that to figuring out how to navigate this ‘engaged to a crime boss’ thing without getting ourselves killed.”

Melody let out a short, humorless laugh. “It’s going to take more than navigating. We’re going to need a damn survival guide.”

I gave a weak chuckle. “How did you two get brought here, anyway?

“Oh, I was walking through my living room adjusting some morning wood and nearly had a heart attack because he sent people to my doorstep like I owed him a debt, but then he mentioned it was to celebrate your engagement and my ass damn near levitated to get here.”

“I just got a text from a random number and then shortly after a car arrived,” Melody added, giving Peyton a bemused look .

I shook my head, trying to make sense of Mateo’s angle, rubbing the back of my neck. “I haven’t spoken to my uncle or grandmother since last night. They aren’t aware of this yet.”

Peyton crossed his arms and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Honestly, it’s better to wait before telling your uncle. You know how he is. He’ll probably have a meltdown," he said bluntly. "He’s a controlling scumbag. If you tell him now, he’ll try to get in the middle of this—and that won’t end well for anyone."

I frowned, nodding slightly. "Yeah, I’m not exactly eager to tell him anything. But what about my grandmother?"

"Your grandmother’s been through hell, Elena. Maybe it’s better to wait until things are more settled before telling her too."

“It’s one and the same, really,” Peyton pointed out. “Once you tell her, she’ll spill to your uncle.”

“Yeah, that tracks.” I sighed, glancing around the boutique .

"Eva used to shop here," I murmured, a wave of bittersweet nostalgia washing over me.

"I never saw much of her," Melody admitted. "She ran in different circles and knew I was your best friend—same with Peyton."

Peyton nodded, his expression darkening. "She avoided us. And let’s be real, I wasn’t exactly nice to her. I told her she had no idea what the fuck she was doing and that she’d end up getting involved with the wrong people."

"Well, that’s exactly what happened." The reminder of how everything had spiraled out of control hit me hard. I looked around, taking in the racks of expensive clothing surrounding us. "I suppose it’s time to find something to wear.”

Melody gave me a brighter smile. “We’ll be right there with you. Let’s get you into something that makes you feel like you can handle tonight, whatever it brings,” she said, her tone reassuring but tinged with the seriousness of the situation .

Peyton agreed. “Might as well make sure you look good while we all try not to piss off the king of the underground.”

I managed a weak laugh, appreciating their support more than I could express. I needed to get through tonight, one step at a time.