Chapter 3

S weat drips off my body as the blurred image of my mother standing over me with blood dripping down her causes me to panic. I can't move. It's like I'm paralyzed, struggling to keep calm as her death replays in front of me all over again.I can hear her screams as she begs for our safety before everything around her goes silent.

My eyes burst open when the sound of me screaming bounces off the walls. I flail and try to gain control of my body, until I'm finally able to sit up against the headboard of my bed and gasp for air. My pillow is wet from either sweat or tears, but it's most likely both.

The memories of my mother are slowly fading from my mind. I barely remember the way she smelled or the sparkle in her eyes when she laughed. I mostly recall the fun we had together, the way she would lay in bed with me and read or the way she'd teach me to swim in the pool that we have outside. Every time I take in the reflection of the moon in the pool water, I am instantly transported to the day she tossed me in and the words of encouragement she'd say to me to keep me going. She was everything to me. She was the only one that truly felt the sheltered life alongside me and yet still felt free in a way I've tried to mimic, only to fail miserably.

As my breathing steadies, Julian slams the door open and barges into my room as if the rest of the house were on fire. "Hermana, estas bien?" he says hoarsely; his eyes holding a puzzled look as he takes in his surroundings.

"I'm fine," I say, my face growing warm in shame as I swallow the sadness that washes over me. I wrap my arms around my knees, comforting myself the best I can. My brother takes a few steps forward and takes a seat at the edge of the bed. His silence speaks louder than the words I know he wants to say. I know he wants to make things right for not having my back during dinner with Father.

"I'm fine," I repeat.

"Hermana, don't lie to me. Look, I spoke to Ry. He gave me the information for Giordano Security, and you know what's funny?" He chuckles, "It's run by one of my childhood best friends. He left after high school, and didn't want any part of the violence that came with being associated with the Cartel. Instead, he went into the military, and still led a life of violence." He shakes his head, looking up at the ceiling and letting out a sigh .

"I know why he did it. I should have been hurt when he left and abandoned our family. I shouldn't even consider giving him a job, but I trust him." His eyes meet mine, and they hold so much promise. If they are a friend of Julian, then what harm is there watching over me? Even if I'm not happy about it. "Anyway, I meet with him, so he can take charge of the new security while I do everything in my power to stop you from marrying Eduardo." He pats on the bed and lifts himself off, walking slowly towards the door.

"Why?" I say softly, questioning why he would help me against father's wishes.

"Because, you're my best friend, Hermana. I may not be able to feel emotions the way you do. But I will protect you." He nods slowly, and gives me a small smile before walking out of the room and shutting the door behind him.

I sit there in silence long after Julian walks out of the room. How could I possibly close my eyes again when all I can think about is the guilt I feel for having lived instead of our mother?

I think back to that night and the way the smell of cigars lingered in the air as Ricardo's men held my mother down. My father was being held by his other men, as I was splayed out near her body. Worse could have happened if my father hadn't gained the strength of a thousand men and tore them off, beating everyone within reach with his fists. His face and knuckles were covered in blood by the time he finally reached mother, their blood mixing together as he screamed in pain. His darkened eyes hardened as he met mine. After that, Ricardo and the rest of his men fled, leaving us in a pool of my mothers blood.

I shake thoughts of that night away, praying to a god I don't even know exists to give me the strength to either disappear and continue my life on the run or at least give me a quick death before my wedding night. I gather up my blankets covering myself once more, hoping that the daylight will come soon as I mentally begin to countdown the minutes before I get to let out some aggression on the punching bags we use at the Serpents.

Jab, jab, lead kick, rear kick, and again. I continue hitting the punching bag, silently going through my techniques I learned here at the Serpents Boxing Club. Julian and his guards stand watch while I go through the motions alongside Sierra. My heart begins to hammer in my chest with how aggressive the workout is becoming. I let out all my anger with each punch and kick .

I pivot my back foot so I'm sideways of the punching bag, lifting my lead leg out and kicking sideways at my mark. Sierra holds the bag in place as still as she can, moving a few inches back when my foot makes contact with the target.

"Awesome job," Coach yells. He claps his hands together like he always does at the end of our lessons. "We'll see you next week."

Sierra and I smile at one another, an understanding between us, a silent praise of a job well done. Our wrapped hands hold onto each other as we step off the mat and make our way back to the girls' locker room. The one place we can speak freely without the eyes that watch me like a hawk.

"What's with the added guards?" Sierra sighs while unwrapping the cloth from her hands.

"It's complicated. Father found out about the night I snuck out." I place my hand wrap in the locker I keep at the gym. Her face crinkles in distress, her eyes on me as I try to withdraw the lump in my throat that is dangerously close to exploding.

"It's fine. Doesn'tmean I can't find a way to sneak out for next time," I grin.

She chuckles at that. The hope that my brother succeeds in getting me out of this marriage is the only thing that is keeping me going. Running away would be the last option I have, even though that's not a life I want to have. Sierra was right when she said they would search the world for me. I'd never escape my family, but I also won't sit here and be sold to our enemies willingly.

I make my way over to the private showers, quickly rinsing off the sweat off my body with the strawberry body wash I keep here. I'm thankful that I have my own shower here at the club. It's one of the only times it pays off to be part of a family everyone is too afraid of. I also have my own locker with all the essentials I need to change after an intensive work out. I wash my hair off quickly, then stand under the hot running water for a little longer to just breathe; to stop thinking about the impending doom of the marriage my father wants.

"Catalina, let's go!" Julian's voice echoes in the locker room.

"Let her fucking shower in peace, asshole!" Sierra barks at him. I chuckle at her reaction. Those two can't stand each other, which is a huge contradiction to how Julian looks at her.

"Fuck off, Mu?eca!" He yells back at her.

Rolling my eyes, I turn the water off and dry my body as quickly as possible, then get dressed in my black laced panties, black ripped jeans, and a red crop top. Sierra is already dressed and sitting on the bench in front of our lockers. "Is there anything I can do?" Her brows pull together in a frown .

My heart aches at the concern that Sierra has for me. I want nothing more than to tell her the truth, to tell her that I'm being forced into a marriage, that I'll have more security than damn Fort Knox, and that I feel like I'm drowning.

I want to, but I don't.

I smile back at her. "I've got this, I promise." I make sure to keep my tone light to fake it, because I know if there was even a slight tone change, she would see right through me. "Don't worry about me, I'm a Dominguez."

Cabrona or Death. One way or another, I'll have my freedom.