Sold To The Boss: A Narcos Romance

Chapter 7

Rafael walked back into the house. He needed to debrief with Martín before the Lotega's arrived. He ran his hand through his hair, a sense of frustration and doubt welling up inside of him. Isabella's breakdown was understandable, but nonetheless, threatening to his plan. Maybe he should've given her more time to adjust, to come to terms. But the Lotega's were coming today. Rafael needed them to believe he was as far from his father as possible. The small, dark voice inside his head reminded him that he and his father were more similar than he cared to admit, but he ignored the thought as he entered his office. Martín was already seated across from his desk.

"They're in route, jefe. Should be here in two hours. They have security, four or so guards." Rafael nodded at Martín's update. They had men at every road juncture for miles around whose sole job was to watch any comings and goings and report back with details. Rafael wanted the meeting to go down peacefully, but he'd have his men on guard in case the Lotega's were after more than just an increased cut of the trade. It was impossible in this business to know who you could or couldn't trust so Rafael trusted no one. He even kept an eye on Martín, the man he trusted more than anyone in the world. Any allegiance could be weakened by the promise of more money, more power, more women. Loyalty, blood relations, none of it held up 100%. Rafael sat in his office chair, pulling out his company ledger. He may now be at the helm of the largest drug trade in Mexico, but they still did their accounting on paper. No way would they risk bringing the DEA right to their doorstep with a single computer hack.

"They'll want a 30%, maybe even 40% increase. I'll offer them 10% and settle on 15%. If they warm to me and my perception as a traditional family man, they will accept the lower compromise. My intel is still solid, sí? They value tradition as well as profit?"

"Indeed. It is one of the reasons they are wary of newcomers, including newer generation leaders like yourself," Martín shifted in his chair, looking like he wanted to say something else.

"What is it?" Rafael glanced up from the ledger, memorizing the numbers he needed. The Lotega's would try to increase their trade value and make it seem like they were bringing in more profit than they actually were. The middlemen always did.

"It's just...do you think she's ready? The girl."
"She's not a girl. She's a woman. Twenty-two."

Martín snorted but caught himself. "Jefe, a woman who grew up in the States, sheltered like she did, is still a girl. She hasn't been through shit. Maybe we should bring in one of the putas. Someone with more experience in this world--"

"No." Rafael's response was short but hard enough to cut glass. He was already well aware of Martín's thoughts about his decision to purchase Isabella. But Martín didn't know the full extent of Rafael's plan. And he wouldn't be able to pull it off with some Narcos whore who would be just as easily swayed by money and other offers as the rest of them. He needed a woman who was desperate to please him. Who wanted out of this world as much as he did. Someone he knew wouldn't turn on him. Isabella just needed time to trust him. To realize that he wouldn't let her get harmed if she did her part in his plan.

"I'll have the men ready and in position, jefe," Marín stood, buttoning his leather jacket and Rafael kept his eyes on the ledger. He'd already memorized the numbers he needed but he didn't want to acknowledge Martín's doubt about his decisions. As Martín stood in the doorway, Rafael barked out a final command.

"Make sure she's ready. Have Lolita help her." Martín nodded and exited the office as Rafael sat back in his chair, pinching his full bottom lip between his fingers.

---

Lolita brushed out Isabella's long, brown hair, the curls from the iron falling in thick, soft waves. Isabella noted her reflection in the mirror, the light but pretty makeup she'd applied highlighting the beauty of her natural features. Lolita had recommended she wear a long flowing sundress that hugged her curves but still covered her legs.

"How long have you been working for Rafael?" Isabella aimed for casualness as she met Lolita's eyes in the mirror. But she wanted intel. Any information that she could somehow use to give herself an upper hand or at least a sense of awareness about her new owner. The word brought a fresh wave of nausea to her stomach but she pushed it down.

"Oh for years and years. I've been with his family since before he was born."

"How old is he?"

Lolita paused, the hair brush midair. She set it down on the counter and turned Isabella to face her, gripping her slender tan shoulders.

"Twenty-nine. Why do you ask?"

Isabella shrugged, "Just curious." Lolita smacked her lips together like she didn't believe Isabella but she busied herself with cleaning the bathroom.

"Is he...a dangerous man?" Isabella's voice descended to a whisper, her heart racing. She had no idea how Lolita would interpret her question but she was leaning into the fact that she was an older woman, a caretaker. She had to know how terrified a young woman might be in this situation and offer something, anything, to comfort.

"Isabella," Lolita's lips curled around her name with a spanish accent, "he has to be dangerous. There's no other way to be El Jefe. Do not cross him and he will take care of you." Lolita lifted a delicate gold chain to Isabella's neck and Isabella grabbed her long hair so that she could place the necklace, a single teardrop-shaped diamond in the center. That answer didn't offer much but it was something. Isabella stared at herself for a final moment and took a deep breath. The diamond necklace and engagement ring glittered fractured light against the walls of the bathroom.

Isabella jumped at the sound of a firm knock on her bedroom door.

"Vamos, Isabella," Lolita placed her warm hand on Isabella's lower back, pushing her toward the door. Rafael stood in the doorway, leaning against its frame, his hands in his pockets.

"Gracias, Lolita," he stared at Isabella as he said the words, his eyes assessing. Isabella felt a heat crawl up her skin and for the first time it wasn't just nerves and fear. It was laced with something else, something exhilarating that she couldn't quite name.

Rafael held out his hand and Isabella took it gingerly, the warmth and strength of his fingers nearly crushing hers. He led her from the bedroom through the hacienda, talking in a low, gravelly voice as they moved.

"We met at my cousin, Rosila's wedding. You were a childhood friend of hers. We've been dating secretly for eight months because my father didn't approve of me marrying someone from outside of the Narcos ruling families. A missed opportunity for power convergence. After his death, I didn't need to hide you anymore. We are marrying later this year. Entiendes?" He squeezed her hand harder. Isabella nodded.

"Repeat it back to me." Rafael led her into a large, beautifully lit living room that was sunk down a few steps from the rest of the house and overlooked a luxurious pool.

"We met at your cousin Rosila's wedding. She was a childhood friend of mine. Your father did not approve of our relationship. But now that he's passed, we can be together and get married later this year."

"Good girl," Rafael had his eye on the door but Isabella was fixated by his profile. Something about his approval warmed her skin and had it puckering for more. She didn't know if it was just relief that she was playing the part he needed from her, or if she found a small sense of pleasure in pleasing him. But she didn't have time to think about it much longer. An older man and his wife were being escorted into the room, a handful of armed guards visible through the large veranda windows.

"Rafael! My goodness, how you've grown," the older gentleman came forward and embraced Rafael after shaking his hand.

"Hola, Rafael. Have we said how sorry we are for your loss? Our condolences my dear," the woman leaned up and kissed his cheeks as he held her forearm in his hand.

"Thank you," Rafael nodded curtly.

"And who is this lovely mujer hermosa?" The older gentleman looked Isabella up and down with lust, his tongue darting out and licking his lips. Isabella tamped down her disgust, a shy and sensual smile shaping her lips.

"My fiancé, Isabella," Rafael slid his hand down around her back, pulling her hip into his side. She placed her hand on his chest and looked up at him briefly before turning back to the Lotega's.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both."