Bound To You

Prologue

The gleaming, rosegold doors swung open silently, the near-inaudible click of Vanilos Hernandez's polished black shoes a muted rhythm on the wooden floors that travelled through the room for five steps, then went soundless entirely as the man himself came into view, turning the corner and stepping over the wooden arched threshold into the spacious living room with the grace of a panther. His grey suit was tailored to his well-built body, a crisp white shirt contrasting starkly with a black tie.

Eight bodyguards in black suits circled the room, lining the four white walls. They stood rigidly, hands clasped in front of them, staring at a point on the wall in front of them.

In the center of this ring, a white cushioned couch sat on the intricately designed red rug, a glass table between the two couches reflecting the merry firelight that crackled in the domed fireplace behind the seating area. Black-bordered glass doors led out onto the grassy, dew-covered front lawn, the night sky pitch black above it.

Seated on the right couch in an impeccable white suit with a black shirt and tie was Carlos Lopez, a grim expression coating his rugged face, his shoulder-length black hair slicked back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck.

The grandfather clock chimed eleven, yet the two men were dressed immaculately. No matter that the meeting would be over in a matter of minutes.

The two men shook hands over the coffee table, then sat down with a near-identical grace.

"So," Carlos began in heavily accented English, "have you discussed the prospect of the union with your daughter yet, Hernandez?"

Vanilos nodded. "Valeria seems to have no objections to it. She seemed almost . . . eager. Not quite the way a bride would be, but eager nevertheless."

"Well," Carlos said, scratching his eyebrow, "I would take that over my son's reaction. Raging and ranting and destroying almost the entire room. Screaming about how he didn't want to get married, stay a bachelor, enjoy his life. Accusing me of taking away his freedom, violating his right to choose, blah, blah, blah. We do not have the luxury of time anymore, though. The policia are closing in day by day. We must act now, join our forces, and meet them head-on without it hindering our work."

"Si, si," Vanilos agreed.

"Well then, brother," Carlos stood, Vanilos following his lead, "it has been decided. We shall soon be brothers-in-law. I look forward to the wedding," he said, extending his hand.

"As do I," Vanilos said gravely, shaking his hand.