Catalina
I was curled up in my bed, staring at nothing. I haven't left my room in days; not after hearing that conversation. Axel, Carina, mama and Diego had all tried to get me out but failed each time. The pain worsened every day. The loneliness clawed at me, the torment too much to bear sometimes.
I was to marry again.
To another monster.
Casimir Romanov.
My phone pings. Frowning when I see it was my Papa.
Papa: We are having guests for dinner, make yourself presentable before joining. If I have to drag you out of that bed by your hair; I will.
I didn't have to guess who would be joining us.
Catalina: You will have to drag me down another aisle.
I threw my phone on the cushion next to me. Multiple texts were coming through but I kept staring at the ceiling. A loud noise echoed through the house. A few seconds passed before his shout filled my ears.
"Catalina! My office now!"
I close my eyes, not moving an inch. Soon I heard heavy footsteps thundering up the stairs, I could hear Mama telling him to calm down. My room down was pushed open, it slammed against the wall.
"You will marry Casimir Romanov in 7 weeks even if you have to be physically tied to him!" He spat from the door. His anger drifted down to me.
"You married that white man; a fucking fed. I accepted it." He took slow steps. "You let him beat you."
"Rape you."
"Disgrace you."
"Now you wish to waste away in my house!" My Mama was next to him begging him to stop. Begging him to leave me alone, that it wasn't my fault.
"Be lucky a man like Casimir still wants to regardless of your lack of virginity." My mama had started sobbing covering her mouth.
"You have two hours to make yourself pretty for him." He spat before walking out.
Finally silence. I was aware of the tears that were leaking from me and soaking my pillow.
How could I let someone rape me, Papa?
"Oh, hija mía, lo siento mucho. No sé qué se le ha metido." Oh, my daughter, I'm so sorry. I don't know what's gotten into him.
"I'll need help with my hair. Send up Rosa please." My words only made her cry some more but she nods, hesitating before leaving.
~
It was around a quarter to six when I heard a car pulling into our driveway from the lounge. I've been here for some time done with my family. A voice drifted from the foyer every time one of my aunts or uncles came in. The servants bustling in and out of the house trying to prepare the table. The females were gathered together laughing. My Mama gossiping withy aunts. Papa was still in his office with Axel and a few of my male cousins talking business. "Cat, you look beautiful like always." Sofia joins me on the couch with her round stomach. I managed a smile and thanked her.
"You look great as well. How's my baby cousin doing in there." I eyed her softly as she rubbed it.
"Giving me the worst heartburn." She winced a little, her smile tight. Her first son was barely a year old, I can't imagine how hard it is for her to be now pregnant with another.
"That means his hair will be full." Abuela leans in to kiss her.
"M Catalina why is your skin dead, you lack some colour." She gasped as she saw me reaching for my cheeks and pinching them. "Abuela!" I slapped her hands away. I might have barely but an effort with my makeup tonight and just covered my eye bags.
"I can't believe your Papa invited those Russian to our house." Abuela shakes her head. I guess the news will come out after dinner. "Me too," I mutter just as the doorbell rings and the men were coming out of Papa's office. All dressed in a full suit; all probably hiding a gun.
My heart was going to explode at an increasing rate. I nervously touched the pearls hanging around my neck waiting for the guests to walk in.
For him.
Axel stood beside Papa in the foyer, his gaze hardened. I knew how reckless and impulsive he was. He acted without thought and damned the consequences. Right now he looked like he wanted to shoot the figure that just walked in.
"Welcome, friends." Papa's voice was tight. The still wall kept the guests hidden.
"Thanks for inviting us to your home, Pedro." A deep voice replies, it was so calm, unlike my father's. Not his.
My stomach dips as the men introduced themselves. The noise around me had stopped. My hand shook from fear or nerves.
"This is my second daughter, Carina. My wife, Valentina."
"Please come in." My Mama says cheerful. Multiple footsteps filled the hallway.
"Catalina, come here." My papa's voices come from behind.
I only hesitated for a second, I didn't want to think Papa would do if I didn't obey him. I wiped my clammy hands on my black dress as I made my way over. I didn't glance up until I reached Axel's side.
"Casimir, this is my eldest daughter. Catalina."
Oh, good God.
My heart crashes against my breast bone and my nervous breathing rockets to damn right dangerous levels. I suddenly feel lightheaded, and my mouth is ignoring my brain's instructions to at least say something. I just stand there staring at this man, while he stares back at me. His husky voice halted me in my tracks, but the sight of him...in a bright room. His jaw was sharp and defined, he towers over my sisters and mother. His black hair was gelled neatly. Immediately looked at his companions, knowing everyone would be watching our interaction.
A gorgeous woman stood to his left and the intruder from the night to his right. Two more men behind me were watching my family like hawks. I dragged my eyes back to the girl, noting the arm she had around him.
The all-black suit hugged his body, you could see how well-fit he was. I knew he was handsome that night but I didn't expect to be this flustered when I saw him. Male presence didn't usually affect me but I lost all thoughts I had in my head when we made eye contact and electric surges through me.
"Catalina" My knees almost caved in as my name rolled off his tongue with heavy familiarity. My Mama's eyes widened, as she stared between the two of us. My face flushed at the stare she gave me.
"It's a pleasure." His heavy gaze made it difficult for me to breathe.
"Likewise," I breathe, trying to pull myself together. "Cas... Casimir."
I knew everyone could feel the heat between us.
Axel stiffened beside me, his eyes dropping to me and then back to Casimir.
Casimir continued without sparing my brother a look.
"This is my second, Damien." He gestures to the blonde man to his right. "My cousin Nikita." The sliver head woman gave my brother a heated look that made him shift his feet. "Stepan and Alexei." He didn't have to say they were his guards.
"Come, let's eat," Mama says, leading them to the opened patio door. We were to dine outside. Casimir walked with my father, his shoulders a little tense.
"Do you know him?" Axel grabbed me once the hallway cleared. "What?" I didn't fake my confusion.
"Answer the fucking question."
"Firstly, don't ever put your hands on me," I growl yanking away. There was immediate regret on his face. "And no, I have never met him before." I lied walking away before he could ask more questions.
The Las Vegas evening weather was cool enough to not feel suffocating. My family were already making themself a plate of food. The other half of the room just stood and stare.
"Make yourself and Casimir a plate." My father instructed with no room for debate. I merely nob and walked over to the buffet table. I eyed the various food, unsure of what exactly he ate. I doubt his ever eaten Colombian food before.
"He's so handsome." I hear Carina and our cousins her age giggling. "Did you see the way he watched your sister?"
"Every man always finds Catalina attractive it's nothing new." My sister's tone was bored and uninterested. "But none will ever deserve her." My heart swells at that.
"Those look good."
"Shit." I let out, startled by the voice behind me, my hand knocks down some Hojuelas. I see two massive hands effortlessly catching it mid-air before it hits the ground.
"Can't let it go to waste," the familiar deep voice says again. Finally gaining some courage I looked at the intruder and all I could see was a button-up black shirt. I was face to face with his chest. Peeking up and the face smirking down at me, I stumbled back to the table and held on, not sure my legs were working as he bites into one, moaning when it reaches his taste buds.
My parents were only a few feet away.
I didn't know what to say. He was standing too close, I could almost hear his heartbeat. I didn't have space to think.
"Your brother told me you were unfit for marriage and offered me your sister." I felt his breath down my face. "Why is that mi amor." I became a puddle of water when he calls me that. My brain melted, I was soaring in the clouds.
"What if, I'm just not interested in you?" He let out a deep chuckle that went straight to my core.
"For the way you keep biting those lips, I'll say it's a lie." My whole body flushes mortified. "A very weak one."
"What if I love another?"
"Then he days are now limited." I frowned at his tone. Casimir takes a step closer
I guess he didn't know.
"Looks like I'm not the only liar Cas…" I spat. He hid who he was from me that night. If I had it the Pakhan of the Bratva standing on the balcony that night, I would never have stayed. I shoved an empty plate into his chest, snaring. "Serve yourself."
"I didn't say we were done, princess." His rough palms grip my upper arm and I swear I feel tingly where our skin touched.
"My name is Catalina." I'm not his fucking princess. "Let go of my arm." I could feel the gun resting beside his sides.
"No, I think I like you where you are." My inside fills with fury as I stare up at his handsome face. I wanted to slap him, but I don't have the balls.
"Has anyone ever told you you're an ass, a pompous chimpanzee?" I snapped
"Chimpanzee?" He grins letting go of my arm. I wasn't proud of my insult but it worked, I was out of his grip and could finally breathe. That's when I catch him looking down at my breast, the dress I wore had a low v neck. As if just realised what he was doing he took a step back, clearing his throat and my cheek heated.
"I will only be your wife in name. I will never share your bed and you will never have my love." I rush away before he could reply.
"What did he say." Axel intercepts me by the patio doors. "You look sick."
Because I wanted him to keep looking at me the way he stared at my chest.
"That you offered him, Carina." Axel cringed.
"Why would you even think of that." I hissed. "She'll never survive a man like him."
"And you think you will?"
"Do you know who he is?"
"What he does do to his enemies?" Axel kept going. "You think Lucas was a monster?" My body froze at his name.
"Stop it," I begged. "Please." I held my chest.
"If you enter his house, he'll never let you walk out again."
I didn't tell him I wouldn't allow things to get that far this time. It all be over before the beginning.
"I've packed your bags as instructed mistress." I frowned at Rosa's voice behind us. She was still in her black and white uniform; I told her to go home for the day.
"What bags?" My head felt hazy.
"You will be leaving with Casimir tonight." I heard Axel say.