Chapter 37 Elena
Elena
I’m lounging on the couch, working on my book in leggings and a loose T-shirt, when the elevator door slides open.
A smile blossoms across my face as I hear Maximo’s heavy, measured footsteps on the marble floor.
When he comes into view, my jaw drops. Sheer, biting horror and panic rush through me. He’s covered in blood.
“What happened?” I’m off the sofa in an instant, going to him.
He glances at my stricken expression, then down at his side. “Got shot.”
“Got shot?” I shriek. “How can you be so calm about this? Oh no, are you in shock? Come here. Lie down before you pass out.” I gently take his arm and lead him to the couch.
He huffs a soft chuckle. “I’m not in shock. It’s just a graze, that’s all.”
“You were shot, Maximo. Shot. I don’t care if it’s just a graze. Sit down.”
He does as he’s told, watching me through his thick, dark lashes. I go into the bathroom and find the first aid kit. Just to be on the safe side, I also call down to the front desk and urgently insist on having Maximo’s doctor contacted and sent up when he arrives.
“I don’t need a doctor,” Maximo complains.
“Yes you do. Look at all this blood.” Gingerly, I peel his shirt away from the wound. It’s a smear of bloody flesh. I can’t tell how badly he’s hurt yet.
Dousing a cotton pad with antiseptic, I begin to clean the area. All the while, Maximo doesn’t flinch or make a sound. His intense stare bores into me as I work on patching him up.
Once the area’s cleaned up, I realize he’s right. There’s a long, shallow gash across his ribs where the bullet grazed him. The flesh is slightly puckered and red where it’s burned. Overall, it doesn’t appear life threatening. I’m actually surprised it bled that much.
I dab the wound with antibiotic ointment before pressing a bandage to it. Sitting back on my heels, I sigh in relief, my gaze meeting Maximo’s.
He smirks.
“What?”
“You look perfect down there on your knees, tending to me like you care.”
I open my mouth to deny that I care about him at all. But we’d both know that’s a lie. Since our honeymoon, not a day goes by that I don’t have this light, fluttery sensation in my chest. It’s almost like… I could be falling in love. With my husband.
He continues, “A month ago, you would have stood back and watched, hoping I might bleed out. That this would be it, and you’d finally be rid of me. Don’t deny it.”
I keep my lips closed, neither confirming nor denying what he says. Of course he’s right. Hell, a month ago I would have been happy to pull the trigger myself. Now… not so much.
Now I’m afraid of losing him. I swallow down the sudden emotion clogging my throat.
“W-was it them?” I ask, whispering as if they might be close enough to hear me speak.
He jerks his chin down. Once. “I believe so. Two masked men shot up my yacht right after my business lunch with Lazaro and Julius. We’ve had that appointment scheduled since before the wedding. I wanted to meet with them after the honeymoon, so I booked a catering company in advance.”
Since before the honeymoon…
His words hit me like a slap to the face. Guilt eats away at my insides, leaving me feeling sick to my stomach. Oh, no. No, no, no.
“What’s wrong?” He eyes me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I wet my suddenly dry lips. This is all my fault. Maximo could have been killed today—all because of me. I’ll never be able to forgive myself. What other information did I send Mrs. Rizzo that she plans to use against Maximo?
I’m torn between saving my own skin from the wrath of my husband, and spilling the truth so that he can better protect himself. My hesitation doesn’t last long. This is my fault and I deserve the punishment. I won’t sit back and let him get hurt.
“What is it, bella? Everything’s fine. I’m going to live.” He mistakes my guilt for worry over him. Though I am worried about him.
“I—” My voice fails me. I swallow past the tightness lodged in my throat. “It’s all my fault.”
He cups my jaw, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes narrow. “What are you talking about?”
My vision blurs as tears burn their way free. My lips tremble when I speak. “I-I sent information about that meeting, and everything else from your day planner, to Mrs. Rizzo.”
My confession hangs heavy in the air between us. At first, I don’t think Maximo heard me because that worried frown stays plastered on his face. But then the concern in his eyes shifts to confusion, then betrayal, before settling into masked anger.
“You.” That single word holds a world of accusation.
I release a sob. “I’m so sorry. I was so angry with you and—”
“Tell me.” His touch drops away like he’s been burned. “Tell me the deal you struck with Mrs. Rizzo.”
Snifling, I wipe away my tears with shaky hands. “She approached me. Somehow she knew I wanted to get away from you, to disappear. She was supposed to make that happen in exchange for me feeding her information about you.”
“What kind of information?” His cold tone makes me shiver. I really messed up. He’ll never forgive me for this, will he?
“Anything I could find. S-she didn’t specify.”
He leans forward, arms resting on his knees. “That’s why you searched my office.”
It’s not a question, but I nod anyway.
“That just… doesn’t make any sense,” he says to himself, sounding perplexed. Then his expression turns hard, unreadable. His gaze finds mine. “Did you really think you could betray me and get away with it?”
I swallow hard, and nod again.
A cruel grin twists his lips. “You were wrong. So very wrong, bella. Are you still spying for Mrs. Rizzo?”
“No.” Adamantly, I shake my head. “No, I stopped as soon as we returned from our honeymoon. I told her the deal’s off and swore her to silence.” For all the good any of that did. I should have made her promise not to use any of that information to hurt my husband.
“I see.” He studies my features, but I’m not sure what he’s looking for, a lie perhaps? “You’re still in big trouble, cara mia. So, so much trouble.” His soft tone frightens me more than any threat ever could.
I hang my head. I deserve this, I know I do. I give a shaky nod, accepting my fate.
Abruptly, he lashes out, sweeping the decorative vase from the coffee table with so much force that it flies across the room before shattering on the marble floor. Shards fly everywhere.
I startle. Pulse spiking with fear.
Maximo stands up. “Fuck!” Fishing his phone from his pocket he makes a call. “Cancel the doctor. Don’t let anyone up here until I say so.” He hangs up.
Shirtless, all of his tattooed flesh on display, those dark slacks hanging around his hips, he looks like wrath incarnate. I stay kneeling on the floor, waiting for whatever comes next.
Will he hit me like Papa used to beat Mama?
Or has he decided I’m not worth the effort and instead he’ll kill me here and now?
What I did is unforgivable. I know that.
No don can have a wife who betrays his trust. In our world, he has every right to end not only this marriage, but also my life. Everyone will understand.
The rattling of his belt buckle captures my attention. He undoes it, slowly sliding it free from the loops, his gaze burning with fury. Doubling it over, he holds both ends together in one hand. The dark leather catches the light, gleaming with the promise of punishment.
I try to swallow, but my throat’s too dry. Is this how it ends? He strangles me to death with his belt?
“Stand up,” he commands. His entire body’s coiled with tension.
Immediately, I do as I’m told. Tears freely stream down my cheeks, as I can no longer hold them back. What’s the point anyway?
“Take off your clothes.”
What? My gaze snaps to him. His hard stare has me trembling as I obey. Quickly, I undress.
“I’m sorry.” Naked, I hang my head, unsure what to do next.
“Place your hands on the back of the couch and bend over.” When I hesitate, he barks, “Now.”
Stomach in my throat, I obey him. My palms land on the backrest as I lean over, bending at the waist. I swallow hard, choking on my silent tears. Even though it’s not cold in here, I shiver.
Maximo’s heavy steps sound behind me, drawing every iota of attention to him. What is he going to do? My pulse spikes as he remains quiet.
He paces at my back. Anticipation builds to unbearable heights.
Without warning a crack splits the air as white hot pain erupts across my ass.
The intensity of it drives the breath from my lungs.
Before I can recover, another strike of his belt burns my butt cheeks.
I lift up onto my tiptoes, wriggling, but knowing if I shy away from this punishment he’ll only make it worse.
So I take it. After all, I deserve this.
“I’m so sorry,” I cry out.
“Yes, you are.” His belt comes down again, this time lower across my upper thighs.
I scream.
To my surprise, his palm smoothes over my scorching hot and tender flesh. I whimper.
“You’re taking your punishment so well, cara mia. You know you’ve been a bad girl, don’t you? You know you deserve this.”
I nod.
“And what do bad girls say?”
Another smack of leather has me jolting forward, the pain radiating deep in my core.
“I’m sorry.” I sound like a broken record, but I don’t know what else to say. I am sorry.
“That’s right,” he growls. Again and again, his belt marks my ass. Face hot and wet with tears, I gasp and whimper, but I never tell him to stop. I don’t plead for mercy.
“Spread your legs,” he orders, his tone harsh.
Immediately, I do as I’m told. Stepping out, cool air caresses my core, and I realize I’m wet. Blushing, I bury my face into the back of the couch. How can I possibly be turned on right now?
He slaps my pussy with the leather strap. Quick, brutal, unforgiving smacks. I cry out as an orgasm hits me out of nowhere. A shudder of intense pain and pleasure wracks my entire body.