Otherwise
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to she understood what he meant. She would be another of Alejandro’s used items and would be aughing stock,
Alejandroughed–a low, chilling sound.
“You still don’t get it old man,” he said<b>, </b>sheer anopance dripping from every syble, “She’s not yours tomand anymore.”
Matthew’s hand curled into a trembling fish.
“You think because you kidnapped her, you’ve won?” he barked. “You think you’re better than everyone You’re nothing, Alejandro. You’re just a thug in a shiny <b>suit</b>”
Alejandro tilted his head mockingly. “Better a thug than a coward who abandoned his flesh and blood.”
Nivera winced.
The words hit harder than they should have. Not once did he check up on her to know how she was doing, and now he stood in front of her like he was some kind of saint.
Matthew turned back to her, desperation cutting through his fury now. “Nivera, listen to me
“Enough!” Alejandro snapped. It wasn’t loud, nor did he shout, but it cracked across the tension like a whip.
Matthew flinched. So did Nivera.
Alejandro took another step forward, now mere inches from Matthew, still dragging Nivera with him.
“You lost any im over <b>her </b>the moment you sent her out,” Alejandro hissed, his words lethal. “You lost the right to call yourself her father the moment you chose your greed over her happiness.”
Matthew’s eyes widened<b>, </b>darting between Alejandro and <b>Nivera</b>.
“Involving outsiders in family matters?” he said to her
Nivera blinked, confused. <b>She </b>hadn’t told Alejandro anything. How did he know-
That wasn’t even supposed to be a question. He knew because he had the resources to know.
“you think I don’t do my research?” Alejandro sneered. “You think take <b>anything </b>without knowing exactly what it’s worth?”
Nivera’s stomach twisted painfully.
This this was the real Alejandro, Calcting Merciless. Every move had been nned from the start.
Matthew shook his <b>head</b>, chest heaving, “You’ll regret crossing me, Garcia. You’ll regret touching my daughter.”
Alejandroughed <b>again</b>, a terrible, soulless sound.
“She was never yours,” he said. “<b>She’s </b>mine now”
And before Matthew could react, Alejandro dipped his head and pressed a kiss to the side of Nivera’s head.
It wasn’t tender. It wasn’t sweet it was a brand
Matthew cursed like a wounded animal, lunging again but this time, Alejandro didn’t let his guards stop him.
He movedter than Hiver could process.
One second Matthew was charging, the next Alejandro had mmed him back against the nearest pir, his forearm crushing against his throat.
“You don’t learn,” Alejandro saidmersationally, lightening the pressure until Matthew gagged. “You never learn”
Nivera stumbled back, horror–struck, unsure whether to intervene or flee.
“Last warning” Alejandro hissed into Matthew’s ear, “Youe near her again, and I won’t just leave braises next time.”
He shoved Matthew hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.
“Now crawl back to whatever hole you came from, Alejandro said coolly, straightening his culls like the whole thing bored him
Matthew struggled to his teet, coughing, ring daggers.
However, that still didn’t stop him from sending a punch over to Alejandro, which caught thetter off guard, making him unable to dodge it.
“Dad“, <b>Nivera </b>finally spoke<b>, </b>and she moved forward.
“You’re being insulted all because you are associating yourself with him,” Matthew hissed in annoyance.
<b>Where </b>was <b>he </b>when Nathaniel made the entire industry turn against her? Where was he when they called her a slut who tried to get into Nathaniel’s bed?
“I think you should leave,” she said to him, and she <b>saw </b>how he became redder with anger.
“Come back home, or I’ll have him arrested for trespassing and assault, Matthew threatened in a whisper.
“Do that, and I’ll file a case against you for kidnapping me,” Nivera immediately retorted, and Matthew stared at her in disbelief.
“You wouldn’t win.”
“No, but your reputation will be on the line and everyone will know about me being the ck sheep. Your choice”
“This isn’t over” he rasped after pondering upon her words,
“For your sake,” he said, <b>voice </b>pure ice, “it better be. And you know, <b>your </b>punch was weak”
Matthew spat on the ground near Alejandro’s shoes in response–then turned and stalked away, shoulders hunched in defest.
Nivera stood frozen, trembling, as the car roared back down the driveway.
Only when the engine faded into the distance did she realize Alejandro was watching her, head tilted slightly.
“You’re wee,” he saidzily.
Her <b>head </b>snapped up.
“You assaulted him,” <b>she </b>choked out.
“He deserved it,” Alejandro <b>said </b>simply “Plus, he assaulted me as well.”
“You’re insane,” she whispered.
He smiled, slow and satisfied.
“And you,” he said, taking a deliberate step closer, “are mine. Get used to iL”
She stumbled back instinctively, but there was nowhere to go.
The stone steps pressed into her back; Alejandro’s looming figure caged her in
“Now tell me something, why didn’t you admit to your father that I was indeed threatening you?” he asked.
Because she didn’t want to have to deal with Matthew Garcia anymore even though he wasn’t a better option.
“No mason,” she answered.
“Really?” Alejandro tilted his head. “Just how worthless were you to your father to decide to stay with the devil himself?”
Tears of frustration pricked her eyes, but she blinked them back furiously. Alejandro’s words were true, but his delivery was cooler
He let his hand fall, but not before his fingers trailed down her jawline–an almost tender caress that sent a shudder through her.
Poor
or thing! Alejandro thought in his head. But foolish. She had an opportunity to run, and she threw it out the window
“Come,” he said, stepping back atst, giving her just enough space to breathe. She had had enough. “You bete for breakfast.”
<b>Nivera </b>stared at him, stunned.
Breakfast?
After all of that chaos–after threats, violence, bruises–he was casually inviting her to breakfast?
She didn’t move.
Alejandro’s smile sharpened.
“Do you need another invitation, Cabezota<b>?</b><b>” </b>
The cruel nickname, whatever <b>it </b>meant, stung more than it should have
Swallowing hard, she followed him numbly into the mansion, each step feeling heavier than the <bst </b>
As the grand doors closed behind them, Nivera realized something bone–deep and terrifying:
There was no bigger devil than Alejandro Garcia, so why the hell didn’t she just tell her father that and run away afterwards?
What the hell was wrong with her?
?