His Territory

32

- Lucia

A throbbing pain pulses through my head, a relentless beat that intensifies with each passing second. My eyes remain stubbornly closed, weighed down by an exhaustion that blankets my senses. I attempt to lift my hand to rub away the ache, but a cold metal clinking stops me.

I force my eyes open, and the room slowly comes into focus. It's dimly lit, with only a single lamp casting a muted glow over the shadows. I see him then—Adrián—sitting in the corner, his gaze heavy and unreadable. Dark circles hang beneath his eyes, making him look as if he hasn't slept in days. I yank at my wrist again, desperate for some freedom, but the cuff bites into my skin.

"It's not going to come loose," he murmurs, almost as if reading my mind. He watches my struggle for a moment before standing and crossing the room. The creaks of his bones echo in the silence, making my heart pound even harder. I instinctively pull my legs close, but he reaches down, gently placing my ankles back in his lap. His touch is disconcertingly tender, and I can feel my body tense under his hand.

He sighs, his eyes narrowing as they meet mine. "I want to trust you, mía, I really do." His voice is low, tinged with a softness that feels out of place. "I want to trust you the way I trust my own breath." His eyes search mine, but I remain still, unreadable. He sighs again, shifting slightly closer to me on the bed.

"Here's your chance to come clean. Tell me the truth, and I'll let you go." His tone is deceptively gentle, almost luring.

I nod, tears welling in my eyes. "I..." My voice cracks, barely more than a whisper. He raises a finger and disappears briefly, returning with a water bottle. He unscrews the cap, bringing it carefully to my lips. The cold water is a relief, and I take small, slow sips, regaining just enough strength to speak.

"I did go in there for a pen and paper, like I said," I whisper, eyes downcast. "But I saw my phone. I just... I just wanted to see if my mom had texted me." My voice trails off, and the memories of her, long lost to me, bring a tear to my cheek.

"Baby, don't cry," Adrián says softly, and for a brief moment, his face twists with something resembling remorse. He reaches over, unlocking the cuff around my wrist. The moment I'm free, I bring my hand to my other wrist, rubbing away the red marks.

Adrián's eyes darken, and before I realize what's happening, his hands are under my thighs, lifting me effortlessly. I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, the only way to balance myself, and he grunts softly, almost animalistic. A chill runs through me, but I fight to stay calm, focusing on the sensations around me instead of the storm brewing in his gaze.

"You're mine, mía," he whispers as he backs us into the wall. His lips press against mine, forceful and suffocating, leaving me dizzy. I respond hesitantly, my body betraying me in the briefest of moments. His lips leave mine, and he watches me with a twisted smirk.

"You've never reacted like this before. I knew you loved me," he breathes, his hand brushing over my cheek before he carries me back to the bed, caging me beneath him. I remain frozen, overwhelmed by the intensity of his presence. His weight presses down on me, grounding me in place.

His lips find mine again, demanding and relentless, and I brace myself, hoping to regain some control, even if just in my own mind. But his hand tangles roughly into my hair, pulling until I feel the sharp sting at my scalp.

He pulls back suddenly, his expression shifting, hardening. "Did you think I didn't know about your little message? Do you think I'm stupid?" He spits, his voice rising.

I shake my head, but the words stick in my throat.

He slaps me, the sharp sting radiating through my cheek, and then his hand is back on my throat, fingers tightening until I can barely draw breath.

"You think you can run to another coast, throwing yourself at someone else? After everything I've done for you, this is what you give me?" He shakes his head, disgust flashing in his eyes. "You never loved me."

I finally manage to force out the words, my voice a broken whisper. "You cheated on me."

The accusation leaves me breathless, and I brace myself for what's coming next. His grip loosens, and I see a flicker of something—anger, confusion—cross his face.

"Listen to me," he growls. "Whatever happened before, it's in the past. You're mine, Lucia. Only mine."

He leans down, pressing a kiss to my forehead, before his hands return to my wrists, securing them once more. His breath is hot against my neck, his fingers curling roughly into my hair.

"You need to understand, Lucia," he whispers, "that nobody else will ever care for you the way I do. You're mine." He buries his face in my neck, a twisted mockery of affection, and I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing myself for the worst.

But then, in an instant, his weight disappears. A loud gasp, followed by a strangled sound, echoes around me. I open my eyes and see Adrián struggling, a muscular arm wrapped tightly around his neck, pulling him back from me. It takes me a moment to register what's happening, but when I do, relief and confusion flood over me.

"Lu," a familiar voice whispers. I lift my head and meet Los's gaze, tears streaming down my face as he leans in, gently placing his hands on my arms, grounding me. "We're here."

I glance up and see Cristian, standing over Adrián's unconscious form, his face twisted with fury, his eyes burning as they settle on me.

Los pulls me into an embrace, his hand rubbing comforting circles over my back as I cling to him, trying to steady my breathing. The realization that they've come for me—that they're here—fills me with a hope I hadn't allowed myself to feel in so long.

Cristian's gaze shifts from Adrián to me, his eyes dark with a promise. I can feel his anger, his pain, his relief—and in this moment, I know that I'm not alone anymore.