In a world full of high crime, honor and duty seem to fall suspiciously high on Natalia Rivera's list of needs. When she meets Prime Accardo, all of the pieces appear to fall in place.
TW- This book contains themes of torture and kidnapping/abducti...
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"Where do you think you're going dressed like that Natalia?"
"Dad, I told you. I have a date."
"Where? A strip club? There's no reason for you to be dressing like a slut, and you know the rules young lady. You keep those legs closed."
I was wearing a black pencil skirt that fell just above my knees and a white blouse that showed just a little bit of cleavage. He was being over dramatic, but I could never say that.
"Dad, I'm fine. It's fine. I'd change but I'm going to be late." I wasn't.
"Fine, but don't come running to me when you get catcalled. You're asking for it."
Times like these made me wonder how Avox became the man he is.
"Okay Dad, bye." I tried to sound genuine.
"Goodbye." Disapproval was written all over him.
I walked out the large front doors just to see Prime walking up the steps.
"This isn't how it's supposed to go." He laughed.
"My dad is being annoying so I had to pretend I was late." I giggled.
"May I ask what about?" He extended his arm and I placed my hand in his.
"My outfit is too promiscuous."
"Really? Is that why you never wear shorts? Afraid he's going to have a stroke?" He was trying, but failing to keep a straight face.
"I don't wear shorts because then I have to shave above my knees, and for your information, he'd probably have a heart attack, not a stroke." I smiled.
He opened the door to a limousine and led me inside, then he sat across from me.
"Well, I think you look beautiful. Forgive me for lack of a better word, because you always look beautiful." He smiled.
I felt all warm in bubbly inside, yet again. It was something about his presence.
... "Okay, let's cut out the small talk. Now I know your favorite color and first pet but I still don't know why you like me." I wanted to know about him, actually him not just his bank security questions.
"Hmm, well I like the way you speak. That's a starter. Your mind is so interesting, but I don't know much about it, I'd like to know more. I love the way you move, that's what first caught my eye, its... indescribable. The way you dance makes me want to fall in step and dance right beside you. I also am completely intoxicated by your beauty, but that's not the reason I fell for you."
Nobody ever like my brain, it wanted to be different, but follow the rules. It didn't function like it was supposed to. It made me want to do things with a man I barely knew.
"So why do you like me. Ms. Rivera?" He added.
Someone needed to pour cold water on me.
"Well, you were the only guy who had the courage to ask me to dance. You still are, I guess. I've danced with my brother, but that doesn't count. Everyone always stares like I'm some sort of circus trick. It just makes me feel like the girl who only got asked out because of a dare."
I sighed.
"And your eyes. Not the colors or anything, but the looks. The way you look at me, you don't see me as a challenge or a trick. You see me as a person."
He frowned. "You need to raise your standards."
I laughed a little at that. "I'm a Rivera. Do you breed? Great let's get married."
He didn't laugh at my joke.
"Think about what you just said Natalia." His face looked sad. Maybe I offended him.
"I'm not allowed to have standards." I shrugged.
"Okay, you're not making this any better. Look, if anyone treats you worse than you think you deserve, they don't have a right to be in your life."
I frowned. "I can't really afford to do that."
"Yes you can. From now in you can." There was something serious in his eyes. He reached across the table to rub my hand. "So what do you deserve?"
"I don't know. I've never thought about it." His questions confused me, but they also intrigued me.
What do I deserve?
"Um okay, what do you want then? Like what's your end goal in life?" He'd stopped eating his food now and both of his hands rested on top of mine.
"Uh? Happiness? I guess." I mean I wanted a family, but that didn't feel like the right answer. The question felt deeper than that.
So obviously I gave the most basic answer.
"Okay, so the next guy you meet, if he doesn't make you happy, cut him out. You don't need him. You deserve happiness." He pulled his hands back from mine.
"Wait, next guy? I don't want a next guy, why is there a next guy?" My thoughts were frantic. What had I done? Did he not want me? Was the fertility question too much?
"I don't think I can give you that."
"But... you already do. And you just said.." Tears were brimming in my eyes. I wasn't even sure why.
He looked up, his expression changed from sadness to a mixture of delight and hope.
"I make you... happy?
I smiled slightly. "I don't have to dance alone if you're around. Yes, you make me happy."
