Angel

Chapter 35

Mattie

"Ahh, you're awake," an older gentleman said, leaning over me. I tried to shift backward but yelped in pain. "Shh, there, there Princesa. You're safe now, and your wound is almost fully healed. Just no sudden movements, sí?"

"H...how long have I been here?" I whispered, watching as he checked my vitals and adjusted an IV line that flowed into my arm.

"Six days. I had to sedate you rather heavily. You kept tossing and ripping open the scab on your wound. Mr. Cardoza has been to see you every day. He should be here shortly. He worries so much about you, Princesa. You're a lucky woman to have his heart," the man gleamed.

"I need to take my medicine," I said.

The old man gave me a strange look then chuckled, "Oh, I'm sure your fiancé won't want you taking birth control any longer. Emilio has always wanted a large family."

I gaped, then sputtered, "That man is not my fiancé! He kidnapped me, had me drugged, then raped me!"

The old man just ignored me and pushed a syringe into the drip line, "I'm sure you'll feel better after he comes to see you. Rest well, Ms. Theriot."

Whatever the man had given me, must have made me fall asleep again, because when I opened my eyes it was dark outside and someone sat in the chair next to my bed. "How are you feeling, Princesa?" his deep voice asked.

"Why do you care," I snapped, "and stop calling me that."

"Don't raise your voice to me, Mattie. And my darling, I will call you anything I wish. For now, you are the Princesa. Once we are married you will be Reina," he growled.

I looked into his eyes, "Are you kidding me? I don't even know you. I was a child the last time you saw me. Why on earth would you want to marry me? I'm fairly certain Trish will be rather disappointed."

He gripped my chin to the point I thought it was going to break and seethed, "Do not test my patience. I am willing to give us time to get acquainted but make no mistake this marriage will take place, Matilda. If I have to drug you then I will, if I have to kill those precious men of yours, I will. Whatever it takes, you will submit to me." He released my chin, then stroked my hair, and placed a kiss on my forehead as if he hadn't just threatened me. "I realize you were a child then, but you are far from a child now Princesa. Our age makes no difference. If you will allow, I will give you the world, Mattie. We can have a good life, children, and happiness if you just try."

I felt tears start to fall down my face. "Why me? What is so special about me?"

He wiped at the tears and then leaned closer until our lips were just centimeters apart. "You have a fire in you, Mattie. No matter what life has thrown at you, you have overcome it. That is the mark of a queen, my Reina." He lightly kissed me then whispered, "I know about your daughter. I will leave the decision to you if we bring her here or leave her with her father. Should you decide to bring her to you, then I will raise her as my own, love her as my own. I give you my word."

My heart broke. I would never see her again. 

I gripped his hand, "Please don't. Leave her alone and I'll stay. I don't want her in this life, please."

His eyes flickered at my desperation. "So long as you honor your word, I will honor mine, Princesa. Now rest so you can come home quickly." He pressed another kiss to my lips that I didn't pull away from, but didn't respond to either.

****

A light knock on the door made me look up. I fully expected it to be Cardoza again, but instead, it was the dark-haired girl who had taken me to Rico. I shivered at the memory, but then again, I almost wished I were going back to California with him. Then at least I'd have some hope of escape.

"Hey," she said softly, her head poking in the doorway. "Feel like some company?"

"Might as well," I huffed, "Not like I have a say in any damn thing around here."

She gave a short laugh, "Yeah, tell me about it. The penis people make all the decisions around here." My eyes bulged at her statement and I started laughing loudly as she joined me. When our laughter faded, she said, "I'm Tori, by the way."

"Mattie, but I'm sure you already know that," I answered.

"Yeah, bossman may have mentioned it to like the entire compound. I thought fucking Rico was gonna pass out and that blond bitch threw a hissy. Stupid tramp thought she was something special. Fucking cartel just used her like they use all of us. We're only valuable as long as we have something to offer." I saw the look of anger in her eyes.

"How long have you been here, Tori?"

She stiffened, "Three years - since I was seventeen."

I reached out for her hand, squeezing it, "I'm sorry."

With a rueful laugh, she said, "You're too good for him, Mattie. All the shit you've had happen and you're still worried about me. Hell, I caused part of your pain - not intentionally, but still... So, um, how are you handling everything?"

I tried to blink back my tears as I answered, "Kinda numb right now. How am I supposed to feel? I've been kidnapped, drugged, raped, and now I'm supposedly the fiancé to the head of the biggest cartel in Mexico." I let out a shaky breath, a few tears falling, and then looked at her. "I'm never leaving here, am I?"

She shook her head no, and sat next to me as we both cried silently.

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