Tonight, after the gala, I will have my wife again and fuck her out of my system to end this ridiculous obsession that has taken root in my mind. As the new don to the Chicago part of the Estrada cartel, I can’t have distractions. And right now, Eliza is proving too distracting. I’ll make sure that ends tonight.
9
ELIZA
Mariana has been the housekeeper here since the day we arrived from Reynosa. She gives me a sad smile as she enters, carrying the dress I assume I’m supposed to wear tonight.
“How are you doing, Miss Estrada?” she asks.
I’m thankful she hasn’t taken to calling me Mrs. Volkov. I don’t think I could stomach it.
I swallow hard. “As well as expected.” My brow furrows. “Mariana, please call me Eliza in the future.”
She bows her head slightly. “As you wish.” She places the dress carefully on the bed. “They have instructed me to bring you this dress and help you get ready.”
My stomach churns at the thought of having to have someone help me, even if it is Mariana. “Oh, I see.” I pull my robe tightly around my body. “I’m sure I can get ready myself.”
Her expression is full of pity as she shakes her head. “I believe I’ll be in trouble if I don’t help, Eliza.”
I don’t doubt that Adrik would punish her if I sent her away, so I nod in reply. “Okay.” I stand and walk toward her as she unzips the garment bag and reveals the most stunning gold ballgown with lace applique details and a sweetheart neckline.
I remove my robe and then unzip the dress, stepping into it. Mariana helps me pull it up my body and then does up the zip. “You look so beautiful,” she says, as I spin around. Unshed tears gather in her eyes as she stares at me. “I’m so sorry about what’s happened to you, Eliza.”
I feel the pain claw at the inside of my throat and yet I can’t find anymore tears. As if I’ve cried so much this past week that I don’t have any left to give. “It’s not your fault.” I squeeze her hands as I know she feels guilty working for the man that murdered my papá. She’s always been so loyal to him and our family. “I guess this is the risk my papá took by being part of this world.”
A tear trickles down her cheek. “Your papá was a good man.”
I laugh. “No, he wasn’t.” I shake my head. “There was hardly any good inside of him, but he was a man, at least.” I look her in the eyes then. “Adrik isn’t a man. He has no heart.”
Mariana swallows and nods. “I fear you are right.” She glances at her watch. “Do you need help with your makeup?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think I’ll wear any tonight.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Very well. I believe Adrik will come to fetch you shortly. Is there anything else you need in the meantime?”
All I want lately is to be left alone. “No, just your prayers.”
Mariana gives me a solemn nod. “You’ve been in my prayers since the moment I heard of your papá’s death.”
“Thank you,” I say, squeezing her hand.
She turns away with a look of reluctance and walks out of the room without another word, locking the door behind her. I sink onto the edge of the bed and stare at the pretty jacquard pink wallpaper that lines the far wall. It’s a beautiful cage, but such a cruel one. Especially since this has been my bedroom for six years.
I tried to find out where Thiago and Enzo are from Mariana, but she didn’t know. All she knows is they’ve been banned from entering the grounds or the house. Lila has been allowed to make her own choice where she goes. She hasn’t been banned from the house, but she’s at the academy, anyway.
I long to at least speak to her and make sure she is okay. There was a moment in that church that I considered allowing them to shoot me, but it was Adrik’s threat that he’d marry my sister instead that forced me to walk to the end and marry the sick son of a bitch. I couldn’t have subjected her to this fate.
The key in the lock of the door turns, warning me he’s about to appear. As the door swings open, I lift my chin and look straight at it, trying to be fearless.
Those blue-flecked hazel eyes are the first thing I see. Emotionless and cold as they take in the image of me dressed up like a little doll ready for him to parade around.
He’s wearing a navy blue suit with a black lapel, a white dress shirt, and a black tie. His hair, as always, is styled impeccably without a strand out of place. If I didn’t know how much of a monster he is, I’d say he looks like one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen. But a beautiful outer shell can’t erase the truth I know about the creature beneath it.
“Ready?” he asks, that deep, accented voice sending shivers down my spine.
I nod in reply and stand, moving stiffly toward him.
Once I’m within his grasp, his arm goes around my back and he pulls me close to him. “You look stunning,” he murmurs into my ear, sending shivers of terror down my spine.