Chapter 2
The moment he stepped into the parlor of his brother’s house and saw her, the world tilted on its axis.
She was beautiful. Her clothing was ripped and covered in mud.
Her blonde hair was matted against her porcelain skin, which was also dusted in filth, but through the grime her beauty shined through, stopping him in his tracks.
“Matias?” Cristian’s voice cut through the trance this stranger had put me in.
“Who are you?” Matias stepped into the living room as he questioned the woman. “Cristian. Has she told you anything?”
He looked at the woman as he folded his arms across his chest. “Nope. She said she would only talk to you.”
Matias stepped in front of her and sat on the table. He propped his forearms on his thighs and leaned in to look her in the eyes.
“Are you going to answer the question?”
She held his gaze and swallowed. “I need your help.”
“Why would I help you?”
“You’re Matias Silva, are you not?”
“Yes, but you knew that already.”
“I’m in trouble and have nowhere to go. You’re the only person who can help me.”
“Tell me your name.”
“Look…” She fidgeted with her hands resting in her lap. “I’m in danger and I need your help.”
“Why should I help you? You won’t even tell us who you are.” Matias stood and walked across the room. He pressed his hand against the large window and stared out into the yard. “I’ve got enough problems to deal with. I don’t need yours.”
His brother cleared his throat. “Matias, what do you want us to do with her?”
Matias dropped his hand and turned toward them. His brother stood nearby, waiting for his response. “Take her into town and leave her at the bus station.”
“No!” she cried out as she stood to her feet. “He’ll find me. Please help me.”
Matias walked over to her, stopping just before her. His eyes scanned her body, searching for something. “Tell me your name.”
“Not until you agree to help me.” She held her chin up in defiance.
“You might know my name, but you don’t know me. I can’t be forced into doing anything. Take her.” Matias nodded toward Pedro, one of his men leaning against the wall.
The woman let out a squeal when Pedro wrapped his hand around her arm. “Stop! Please. You don’t understand!” Pedro tugged her toward the door, but she fought against him. “I’m as good as dead if you toss me out that door.”
“Then tell me who you are!” Matias bellowed, his voice echoing through the room.
She panted as she tried to free herself from Pedro’s hand. “Katya. My name is Katya.”
“Let her go.” Matias caught her as she stumbled free from Pedro’s grasp. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?.” He pushed Katya to the couch and sat beside her. “Now, why do you need my help?”
“My father sold me to a man here in Chile. He is forcing me to marry him. He’s delusional if he thought I would go through with it, but I was being held prisoner here until I came to my senses.”
“Who held you captive?” Cristian asked her.
“Jorge Peru.”
“Fuck.” He ran his hand down his face. “That moron is really starting to piss me off.”
“You know him?” Katya’s eyes were wide as she waited for his reply.
“You could say that. His father owns the wineries here in Chile.”
“Well, he can’t take them over until he marries.”
“So, your father sold you to him? What is in it for him?” Matias furrowed his brow, concern marring his face.
“My father is a powerful man in the states. He is always trying to take things that will make him even more powerful. Jorge promised him a way to gain that clout.”
“What did he promise him? Wine?” Cristian let out a chuckle as he spoke.
“No.” Katya swallowed. “He promised him…” She couldn’t say it. What would these men do to her when they learned who she really was?
“Well? Don’t leave us hanging. What did Jorge promise your father?”
“Lithium,” Katya whispered under her breath.
“What did you say?” Matias tilted his head, unsure of what he heard.
“He promised my father lithium.”
“Holy shit.” Cristian began pacing the floor. “Jorge was the fucker behind the theft. Who is your father?”
“I can’t tell you.”
Matias grabbed her arm and stood, tugging her to her feet. “Tell me who he is.”
“No.”
“Pedro,” Matias growled, shoving her toward his man. “Take her to my car. We’ll lock her up in my guest room. She isn’t going anywhere until she tells us who her father is.”
“Lady,” Cristian said, getting in her face, “it’s better if you just tell us now. When we find out, it could mean life or death for you.”
“Not yet. I can’t—I need to know you’ll help me first. I’m not my father.”
Matias scoffed. “Help you? You just admitted that you are the daughter of the person responsible for taking what is ours. If you're not your father, then tell us who he is.”
Katya stilled. “You’ll kill me the moment I do.”
“No. I won’t. You’ve obviously been wronged by him. Stop protecting him, Katya. Tell us what we want to know, and I will swear my protection.”
Cristian gasped. “Brother. What are you doing?”
“Tell me, Katya. Who is your father?”
Pedro walked her to the door and opened it. He stepped through, pulling her behind him. Katya jerked against him, pausing in the open door.
“Dmitri Ivanov.”