A light in the darkness

Chapter 37

Maria's body jerked and her eyes shot open once she felt arms on her back and under her knees, trying to lift her up. She saw Diego taking her out of the car. 

"Put me down." she said and wiggled on his hold, ignoring the pain in her back. There was nowhere in hell she let this traitor carry her bridal style. "Now!"

"Stop! Your wounds will reopen." hissed Diego and tightened his hold on her, trying not to drop her body.

"I don't care." yelled Maria. "Put me down."

Diego sighed and gently put her on her feet but kept his hands on her waist to take her in case she fell.

Maria stood on her wobbly legs and released herself from his hold and throw a glare toward him before taking in her surroundings. It was night. There were in front of a building in the middle of the forest. The blinds and curtains were all pulled, trying to lock the light inside of the building. Armed men had stood around the building, guarding throughout the night.

"Move!" snapped Natalie sternly and pushed Maria forward a bit and they all walked toward the stairs that were leading to the front door. 

Suddenly the front doors opened and light crept outside. Two tall silhouettes were standing there. The light that was coming from behind them had covered their features with shadows, but Maria's body began to shiver hard, well knowing who they were.

She wrapped her shaky arms around her trembling body. Cold sweat covered her body as she saw Santi and Raul step down the front stairs.

"Bueno hola prima querida." (Well, hello, cousin dear.) said Santi and now Maria could see his nasty smirk and his eyes that were shining wickedly from up close. "Bienvenida de vuelta" (Welcome back.)

"Where are Anna and Alison?" asked Maria, trying to keep her voice firm while holding her chin up.

"Now, now, don't rush things, sweetheart." said Santiago and pointed his thumb to Raul who had stood behind him. "Don't you want to say hello to your fiance? You were away for too long."

Maria's breathing become uneven and she glanced at Raul who was looking at her smugly. She gulped hard, remembering every time that man had hurt her physically and emotionally.

"Hello, doll," smirked Raul. "I told you that you will regret the moment you decided to run away."

Diego cleared his throat and stood in front of Maria protectively, blocking her view of Raul, breaking her trance. 

"With all due, sir." began Diego, trying to sound firm and strong. But Maria saw his hand inching closer to his gun in his waistband. She knew he had finally felt insecure. "You promised to give her to me. I don't understand this whole finance thing. I expect you to honor your words."

"Diego." hissed Maria and tried to pull him back, knowing that he was now on the brink of death. Although she hated him, she still had not forgotten his friendly behavior and how much he had helped her in the last month.

"Honor my words." scoffed Santi and one side of his mouth tugged upward. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at Diego up and down. "Have you honored your own words about staying loyal to King?"

"That has nothing to do with this." seethed Diego through gritted teeth. One of his hands came behind him and pulled Maria more behind him, now regretting every single of his decisions to betray King. "You asked me to do something in return for something else. I did as you wished and now I want my prize."

Santiago dropped his head and shook it and tsked a few times. He then raised his head and looked up into Diego's eyes. The murderous look in his eyes sent chills down Diego's spine. He looked like a predator, ready to tear his prey to shreds.