I'm Stronger Than All My Men... Except For You

control

Antonio didn't mean much to Maria. It wasn't really an arranged marriage but it kind of was. Maybe a marriage of convenience was the right word for it. He came from money and would be a worthy equal to the Don's daughter. Maria always thought of it as how Royalty only married other Royals. She didn't really know much about her future husband, he came and went from the compound when he pleased, and they did have a connection despite her finding him rather boring. He would protect her interest, that was what was important. Having connections to the cartel pleased the Don when he set up the match, refusing to let his daughter be with someone outside this business, Maria agreed that would be wise. Along with his vast wealth that would keep her quite comfortable. He was like any other man she had known before, who thought he was hot shit. He spoke as if he were the most educated man in the countryside, about wines, and scholars in the most pretentious manner.
She could tell Antonio found himself to be brave and strong. She found it ironic that she knew neither of them believed the other to be their equal. She knew he was weak compared to her, and how he viewed her as inferior. He wasn't outright sexist but it was in the things he said, he doubted her abilities always. He wanted to cage her like a bird, turn her into a housewife. He didn't have a keen understanding of her violent side. He would probably deem her incapable of half the things she had done.

"This one is from my vineyard in Italy," Antonio said proudly as the staff presented a bottle of wine to Don Eladio. He took it gleefully and poured himself a glass.

Maria took the glass from Antonio's hand and tried it.

"You like it, Mija?" He asked, pulling her onto his lap wrapping her in his arms.

She tried not to contort her face after tasting it but the bitterness overwhelmed her. She hated wine. It reminded her of church.

Antonio chuckled at her expression and caressed her face, "Aye no? Try this one," He poured her a new glass, "This one is from the south of France."

Maria glanced over at Lalo who sat stiffly in his chair, refusing to participate in the wine tasting. She noticed how his jaw would clench every time Antonio would touch her. Running his finger tips up and down her legs or moving her hair out of her face. He tried not to look at them. Was he jealous, Maria wondered? The way Lalo looked when Antonio would bring up one of his houses in Europe was entertaining to say the least. It was like utter annoyance mixed with rage. As the night wore on Maria wondered if he mentioned one more vineyard, would Lalo put a bullet through his head? She was only joking, that would be horrible... right?

It had been a couple weeks that Antonio had been there. Lalo and Maria had only exchanged a few words since his arrival. And not for a lack of trying, Lalo was cold to Maria. So she stopped trying, but she couldn't forget what had happened in the car. Despite not speaking, he was always watching. Watching her braid her hair, sip on drinks, read, and about any activity you could think of that was in his vicinity.
Antonio had basically forbid Maria from doing any more "jobs" for her father. Who was he to ground her like some child? He tried to put it nicely, trying not to anger her.

"You shouldn't have to do that Mija, leave the danger to the men. "Wouldn't want to mess up that pretty face of yours?" Antonio suggested.

It wasn't really a suggestion though, it was a command. Maria found herself biting her tongue when it came to him. She would hate to admit it but he scared her in the most subtle way. Something about the candace in his voice, it was indescribable. She knew she couldn't boldly voice her opinion like she did with Lalo. Learning what type of man you are dealing with is an important skill her abuelita instilled in her.

"Men do not take being challenged lightly." Abelita told her. "So you must choose your words carefully. Mari, you must understand that growing up in this business you will be surrounded by men who would jump at the chance to hurt you. Don't let them get that chance."

It was bad enough Lalo didn't talk to her anymore but what was worse is that Antonio never left. He sat day in, day out, next to the pool, or in the kitchen doing nothing. The compound was massive but Maria felt like she could never get away from him. Why couldn't he go "be a man" and assist in business?

The house was still, Maria sat up in bed and glanced over at Antonio's sleeping body. She swung her feet off the bed, stepping on to the cold floor below. She tiptoed through the house, everyone was asleep. She peered out to the deck where she saw Lalo sitting alone smoking a cigarette. He never seemed to sleep, she would often look out her window deep into the night and see him out there. So she took this opportunity to confront him. She slid open the glass door and stepped into the warm night air. He acted like he hadn't noticed. She made her way over to him but stopped at the pool to dip a toe in. She was stalling, she actually felt nervous to talk to him. Before she could make her move over to him, he silently put out his cigarette and got up. She thought he was approaching her so she looked up at Lalo with eager eyes just for him to walk right past her and out the gate to the forest. She decided to follow him. Maria knew those woods like the back of her hand, grew up shooting out there. He could run but he could not hide.

"Hey! Are you going to make me chase you?" She said, finally catching up to him.

He turns to face her, hands on his hips, he scans her face lit by the moonlight. Then his eyes stroll down to the thin silk nightgown covering her bare body.

"Why are you avoiding me," She pesters, "Do you hate me now?"

"I think it would be best if I stayed away from you." He said sternly and started walking away again.

She followed, "Why?"

He hesitated but finally said quietly, "Because I don't think I can control myself."

Lalo wouldn't have been able to describe it but he really couldn't handle being around her. Everything she did, the way she moved, spoke, it drove him crazy with desire. He was desperate for the woman he could not have. The thought of intervening with the Don's plans for his daughter was daunting. It was forbidden. He wanted her in every way. It was almost in a chaste, Victorian way, even the sight of her ankle killed him. Much less her frolicking her half naked perfect body in front of him, day in day out. Watching her be caressed by another man drove him mad with jealousy.

"Control yourself?" Maria asked, waiting for him to clarify.

But he couldn't anymore, he let go of any shred of willpower he had. Lalo took her face in his hand, causing Maria to let out a small gasp. He practically was devouring her face with the intensity in which he was kissing her, it was rabbid. He lifted her off the ground and pushed her up against a nearby tree. Her legs straddled his waist, his erection pushed hard against her. She moved her kisses down the side of his face down to his neck, grazing it with her teeth. Lalo frantically undid his belt, dying to be inside her at once. As his full force entered her she tightened around him. His thrusts pushed her back into the bark of the tree, slightly scraping it but the pain only added to her pleasure. She was unable to control her gasps and moans as he hit her most sensitive spot repeatedly, causing him to cover her gaping mouth with his strong calloused hands. He felt her tense up and dig into his neck before ultimately melting into his arms, immense pleasure pulsing through her as she finished with him inside. He was almost at his peak. He pulled back for a second, in a breathless voice he said, "hit me." Maria, still coming down from her high, obeyed his request and mildly slapped him on the cheek. Me grinned, "gimme a real one Mari, i've seen you do it," he said, lust oozing out of him. Biting her lip, Maria swung her hand back then hit him clean across the face- finally he finished.

Maria quietly tiptoed back into her room after returning from the woods. Tucking herself carefully back under the sheets, not realizing Antonio's eyes were wide open, staring into the darkness around them.