Drenched

7

I immediately froze in place. Surely he didn't just say my real name. We had gone to far lengths to ensure that he wouldn't find out who I was. Sosa made social media pages, records, everything. Although Santiago's father, Hugo, and my father used to be close business partners, my father made sure that I was kept far away from business. As far as anyone besides family was concerned, he didn't have any children. 

I was completely paralyzed with fear. I didn't want to turn around to face Santiago, although I could tell he was burning holes through the back of my head. 

"Take a seat." 

His voice was unnervingly calm. I reluctantly turned around and saw Santiago simply sitting there. The same cold expression was plastered on his face. The sun coming through the windows accentuated his already chiseled features and brought out the warmth of his olive skin. 

I cautiously walked over to the chair in front of his desk. His jade-green eyes never left me. I wairily sat down, awaiting whatever fate I had coming to me. I could feel my heart rate picking up speed as anxiety coursed through my body. Best case scenario, I get to walk out of here alive. 

"You have some nerve coming here after what your father did." 

What my father did? What could my father have done that was worse than what Hugo did to him? Sure, my dad wasn't exactly a saint, but he didn't deserve to die. He owed a lot of people money when he passed and left it to me to clean up his mess, but that doesn't mean Santiago has the right to talk about him like that. 

I sternly gripped the arms of the chair and leaned forward, just so he could soak in every word I spit at him. 

"Don't talk about my fucking father." 

I stared him down, waiting for him to lose his even-keeled temperament. To my surprise, he didn't retaliate. He simply narrowed his gaze. We were locked in a vicious staring contest, neither of us breaking eye contact. 

"Why are you here?" 

I couldn't admit that I needed help from him. But at the same time, I couldn't come up with a valid excuse as to why I would be here. I sat back in the chair, trying to come up with some answer that wouldn't sound completely ridiculous. 

"I asked you a question Aletha." 

The way my name rolled off of his tongue like honey was a way I never heard my name before. The deep inflection in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. As much as I hated him, I couldn't help but admit how completely alluring he was. 

"I-I need..." 

I was trying to find the words without sounding foolish. I took a deep breath and could see him waiting for me to give him an explanation. He was not a patient man. 

"I need help." 

The calloused stare he was giving me before transformed into confusion. He folded his arms across his chest, accentuating his biceps under his shirt. 

"How does that concern me?" 

I could tell that curiosity got the best of him. I took a deep breath before continuing with my explanation. 

"The Delmonico's are moving in on our territory. I thought there was an agreement between us but apparently, I was wrong." 

I shifted in the chair before going on. 

"I know that Hugo's side projects didn't stop after he disappeared. We need more resources if we're going to stay in business. 

Hugo was notorious for being the person to go to or any type of weaponry. I knew before my father passed, the last place he went to was to see Hugo. I heard hushed conversations about a deal with Ramierez, but that was the last day I saw him. 

For a minute, the room was filled with a deafening silence. Santiago shifted forward in his chair. A small grin crept onto his face. 

"So you're not just a pretty face." 

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I tried to keep my composure. Santiago was known for being very flirtatious, but also extremely particular about the women he involved in his life. 

"All this time everyone thought it was Emilio that took over after Matteo."

Ah yes, my Uncle Emilio. He's my father's younger brother who wanted nothing more out of life than women and liquor. If he took over the business, it would have already been gone. Ever since I took over three years ago, I've been trying to clean up their messes. 

I flashed him a nasty look before he continued. 

"Anyways, why should I help you? Especially after your father stole from us." 

As much as I loved my father dearly, he was horrible with money. He owed so many people money that it was getting hard to keep track of. But the Ramierez's? I would have never thought that my father would steal from them. 

"What do you mean he stole from you? I have no idea what you're talking about."

He sighed before continuing. 

"Your father stole three and a half million dollars from us." 

Suddenly all of the air had been sucked from the room. Nearly four million dollars? Most of his other debts were unpaid gambling debts but three and a half million? How was I going to repay that? 

Santiago stood from his chair and made his way around the desk. When he got to the front of it where I was sitting, he leaned against the wood, making himself comfortable. 

"Do you know what that means Aletha?"

He turned his head slightly to the side, waiting for my eyes to reach his. 

"You get to pay off his debt."

A seemingly normal smile appeared and it was almost unsettling considering I had never seen this man smile. I was going to be in debt to him for the rest of my life. 

"B-But how... I don't have that kind of money now."

My mind was racing, thinking of the worst possible outcome.

"I own you now."

He flashed me an eerie grin. I immediately assumed the worst. Most situations I was able to get out of, but this? I was completely on my own.