Catalina
Papa stood in front of us, holding a crystal glass of liquor. He waited for everyone to take a seat around the table. I made sure to seat between Abuela and Carina, keeping as much distance between me and Casimir. It had only been a few minutes since Axel dropped the news that I would be leaving tonight with him.
I'll have to move my plans.
"Thank you all for joining us today," Papa spoke making the chatter stop. "It's not every day our people come together as one." He nods at Casimir whose face remained impassive.
Carina suddenly clenched my palm underneath the table. I could feel the fear in them, her skin had paled as she stared at our Papa.
"A few weeks ago, Casimir came to me with an offer." A few around the table glanced around tense. "In exchange for my daughter's hand for half his shipping port surrounded Miami." Everyone turned towards Carina who looked like she was about to puke. They all expect it to be her because she was more acceptable.
"¿Qué?"What? Abuela exclaimed.
"Catalina," I felt Carina let out a sigh as she dropped back into her chair. "Come."
I was unaware of my moment. My family's shock and confusion were visible. Even Sofia hadn't expected me to the choice. By the time I reached my Papa's side, Casimir had gotten up from his seat. I took a step back, but my Papa gripped my back in place.
His dark gaze settled on mine. His black dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, tattoo covered the entire skin on his forearm. "Our family will become one." I hear Papa saying but I didn't take my eyes off Casimir.
He slowly reached into his side pockets, his movements controlled as the red velvet box appear in his palm.
Oh no.
He closed the space between us, it was then I noticed the lack of warmth beside me. Papa had taken his seat.
I release a shallow breath as the box clicked open. We were so close, black and black almost touched.
"Allow me," his voice was rough. A cold sensation tingled on my left hand. I glanced down to see him sliding a ring on my finger. It was so simple and elegant, a small gasp left me. I had been expecting another diamond rock but this... This ring held memories. I could feel the love it contained as it rests on my finger.
"It belonged to my mother," I didn't take my eyes away from the delicately crafted details. "We can get you a diamond if that's what you want." He mistook my silence for dislike.
"No." I shook my head still staring at the ring. Strong fingers tipped my head up. We were so close, I could kiss him with a small rise. His penetrating stare made a flush creep up my neck. He spoke a sentence in Russian, unsure what he said I nodded hoping he asked if I liked the ring.
Claps broke into our space, reminding me we weren't alone. I turned to my family, unable to hold back a smile as they all cheered and toasted us. Even Papa looked pleased and nodded at me.
I was worth shipping ports to him.
The girls rushed me over to look at the ring. Everyone but Carina was taken by the ring, she murmured about the lack of a diamond. When I took my seat again, I felt eyes on me. It was one of my uncles; Javier who was watching me with revulsion. I shifted under his dark eyes. I guess he couldn't stomach the idea of becoming family with the Russians.
"We only have a few weeks to plan the wedding, we'll need to get right to it." Mama reached for my hands not bothering to hide her excitement.
"Nada demasiado extremo, no es como si fuera su primera boda." Nothing too extreme it's not like it's her first wedding. Abuela passed me a look, not hiding that she never approved of my first marriage. "Ella puede tener una boda extrema si quiere a Mamá."She can have another extreme wedding if she wants Mama. My Mama kisses her teeth at her and started going off on the list of people she needed to call about arrangements. Soon the men excused themselves for a cigar, leaving us to discuss the wedding details.
I didn't bother imputing my ideas because Mama and Abuela were already arguing about who to invite. An old leather diary that was probably from the 20th century was open on Abuela's legs as she reads off names of relatives I've never heard of before. Over them, I looked to Nikita who sat cuddling a glass of wine watching the scene. Moving across the room to join her, we haven't said a word to each other yet.
"Sorry about this," I muttered embarrassed. "Are you Casimir's only cousin?" I asked intrigued by the quiet woman.
"Nyet," was her reply.
"I hope your family isn't as crazy as mine..." I tried again.
"I have no interest in small talk." She sounded annoyed. Her accent was thick, and her words were blunt.
"Then I'll cut the crap," I let my welcoming smile drop. "Is Casimir the monster people say he is?" My heartbeat drummed with each passing moment. Finally, her ocean-blue eyes turned to me. She was towering over me with her six-inch red heels even with my 5'10 height.
"He is to be my husband, I should know who I am marrying." I pleaded.
"Cas is..." the name held familiarity. "He will do anything to protect the people he loves, including becoming the monster." I choked on air, my eyes wide. Dry amusement filled her eyes and she gave a tiny head shake. "You are too weak for him."She shakes her head muttering what sounded like an insult in Russian. The ring had led me to believe that he was another man, letting me hope for a different life but I guess the plan was still in place.
Just as I turned away; A gunshot echoed in the air, a few shouts. Shouts rang out in Spanish, and we all turned towards the patio as guns rose. I heard my Papa ordering commands but my heart drowned out as I saw it was Casimir they were all aiming at who was casually leaning back on his seat.
"He fucking kill him!" I heard Diego shout.
Killed who?
I glanced at my brother who looked pleased at the scene in front of him. My lungs constricted my shout for Casimir to run but I stood frozen in fear.
"Diego!" My Papa shouted. "Put the fucking gun down!" That's when Stepan and Alexei began to draw out their guns and I knew this was going to become a blood bath in any seconds.
"Será mejor que ahora arruinen el suelo, no creo que la sangre se lave de la madera de porcelana". They better not ruin the floor, I don't think blood will wash out of porcelain wood." I hear Abuela saying from where she sat.
"Javier received multiple warnings." My Papa spat.
He shot Javier. Why?
"Now put the fucking guns away, our women are here!" There was no room for argument in Papa's voice. Soon everyone followed including Stepan and Alexei, taking their place behind Casimir and Damien who hadn't even bothered getting up.
"I think we've overstayed our welcome," Casimir nods at my Papa whose face was still red from anger.
"I'll take my payment now." He walked off.
Me.
I left sick to my stomach.
He just murdered someone and didn't look affected by it.
"Let's go princess," Nikita grabbed my arm.
"Where are you taking her?" It was Mama who asked from where Carina held her back. "You can't take her." She screamed at Casimir, who didn't even glance at her as he collected me like a package of Nikita.
"Pedro! Axel! stop them!" She yells while looking at me frantically.
"Enough, Valentina," Papa warned.
"She's my daughter!" Her eyes filled with unshed tears. "You can't let this man take her, not yet. There are 7 weeks till the wedding."
"Mama, I'll be fine." My voice was hoarse.
"No. No. No. ¡Acabo de recuperarla, Pedro, me dijiste que tenía 7 semanas!" No. No. No. I just got her back Pedro, you told me she had 7 weeks!" Papa wouldn't even meet her eyes.
"It is done, Valentina." I watch my Mama crumble to the floor as I was directed towards the door. I could still hear her wailing as we walked through the foyer. My back remained tense, but I didn't fight against the cold palm pressuring me forward.
"We won't need to boxes." I heard Damien speaking to Rosa who waiting by the door with multiple of my things. Rosa kept her head down, unable to understand what he said. I quickly translate telling her to go now.
"You can bring her." Casimir's voice filled the room. "So you don't get lonely." He adds.
"Rosa." There was no hesitation as she paused. She's only been my maid for a couple of months so I didn't expect her to say yes to my request. Or for Casimir to wait for her to pack up her things in her quarters then sending Stepan to help. There was nothing but silence inside the car as we pulled away from my Spanish-style villa.