18. Elena
18
ELENA
“ Y ou look like a dream,” Manuel Gomez says, greeting me warmly in Spanish as he kisses my cheeks. The man isn’t ugly which will make my job easier, nothing worse than trying to seduce a man that looks like a pig. The man is dressed casually but still looks like he stepped off the pages of a magazine. His dark hair is peppered with some grays, and he has piercing brown eyes set against tanned skin. Tattoos sneaking out from his white linen shirt show off his impressive physique. He looks how porn thinks cartel members look, hot and dangerous. From the research I’ve done on him, he is married to his high school sweetheart, Mariana, and he has twin boys called Luis and Eloy, who turned eighteen last month and have both now been initiated into the cartel. I did think they would make an easier mark, but they have no real power to get me to where I need to be to find Pearl. Manuel regularly cheats on his wife, and I’m sure she knows about it but turns a blind eye thanks to the luxurious lifestyle her husband affords her. Now that the kids have grown, she has been spending a lot of time in Europe celebrating her empty nest, or so her socials state. I don’t think there is any love lost between the two of them.
“You look so much hotter than your photos.” I giggle back, letting my hand slide over his chest as he greets me. Manuel likes his women young and from overseas. He is regularly on dating apps, that’s how I was able to find him. From what I found out, he recruits women from these dating sites into the cartel as sex slaves. He lulls the unsuspecting women with his charm and good looks, and when he hooks them, he pounces and signs them up for a lifetime of pain. I need to play my part as the unsuspecting Carmen from Spain, who is traveling overseas for the first time to celebrate graduating from university.
“So many muscles.” I giggle again, running my hand over his arms and squeezing them. I notice his chest puff out with the compliment, I could tell he was vain from the shirtless photos and gym photos online with his sons. “You must work out.”
“I do,” he says, slightly flexing for me. I bite my bottom lip and look at him through my eyelashes as his eyes land on where my teeth sink into my red lips. I lean forward a little, showing off my impressive cleavage and watch as his eyes move from my lips to where I want them. “Please, sit,” he says, moving toward my chair and pulling it out for me. I take my seat, and he does the same sitting opposite me. “Thought we might start with champagne and food before deciding on where the night will take us.”
“You’re so worldly. I’ve never had champagne before,” I confess to him.
“I’ll happily show you new things,” he says, giving me a seductive wink. If I could stab this man in his eyeball right now I would, but alas, I need him to get me into the Dominguez compound.
“I’ll happily let you,” I purr back just as a looming presence greets me to my right.
“Your champagne,” Nash says, placing the champagne stand beside our table.
“Oh, hi, Nashie. I didn’t realize you were working tonight. I thought you had a hot date, too,” I say to him. Manuel turns and looks between Nash and me, the hackles on his neck are up, suspicion swirling behind those dark brown eyes. “Nashie here has graciously let me crash at his home for my holiday. My older sister’s boyfriend is best friends with him. He’s like a big brother to me,” I explain to Manuel who doesn’t look happy but relaxes when I explain.
“Yeah, I owed him a favor,” he says with a shrug as he pops open the champagne.
“Are you working all night?” I ask him.
“Yeah, my date canceled. Saturdays are normally busy, so I thought I would help instead. Please, forget I’m here.”
I giggle. “Okay, but um …” I bite my lip and those blue eyes flare ever so slightly, “what time will you be home?” I look over at Manuel and smile at him, hoping he will get the hint.
“I’ll be here till after closing,” he answers.
“Okay, great,” I say with a wide smile.
“Can I get anything else for you?” he asks as he pours us each a glass.
“No, we’re fine, just the food,” Manuel says, dismissing Nash, who gives me one last look of concern before disappearing.
“I didn’t know you knew him?” Manuel asks, those eyes narrowing on me. Did I play that wrong? I don’t want him suspicious of me already.
I lean forward giving him a good look at my cleavage. “I didn’t know you knew him either,” I say.
“Everyone knows Nash Madden around here,” Manuel explains.
“Oh. I didn’t know he had a reputation. I thought he was a grumpy old man.” I giggle.
“If you think Nash is old, then you must think I’m ancient,” Manuel says.
I reach out and touch his arm reassuring him. “Oh no, you’re distinguished. Plus, Nash is a brute, I like men who have more civility around them,” I say, taking a sip of my champagne before bursting out in giggles. “Oh, the bubbles, they went up my nose.” This has Manuel chuckling, the suspicion leaving his eyes.
“Yes, the bubbles can tingle.”
“I like tingles.” My voice drops low as I take another sip, hoping he understands the innuendo. The raised brows and arrogant smirk he gives me over his glass of champagne tell me that he does.
“Will you excuse me while I go to the bathroom?”
Manuel nods, and I place my napkin on the table and head to the bathrooms. As soon as I push through the door to the females, someone is right behind me.
“What the fuck are you playing at, Ellie?” Nash yells as he glares at me from inside the women’s bathroom.
“Excuse me, this is the female’s bathroom. And my name is Carmen.”
Nash frowns at me.
“Do you know who you are having dinner with?”
“Yes. Manuel Gomez, a man that has a penchant for young women. He is the man who finds the girls that they traffic. I thought he would be the best person to get to know to help find Pearl,” I explain calmly to him.
“He is so fucking dangerous,” Nash says through clenched teeth.
I walk toward Nash, even in these heels he still towers over me. “And I’m just as dangerous,” I tell him, tapping my hand against his oh-so-hard chest. My fingers want to clench and grip his T-shirt, but instead, I leave them there, his thundering heartbeat thumps against my skin. He is truly worried about me which is sweet. He smells good, like the ocean and man. His square jaw is unshaven, his brown hair is sun-kissed, I want to rub my hands over his buzz cut and feel the prickles against my skin. The air between us changes, and electricity pulses through my hand from him. I swallow.
“You’re right, you are dangerous.” He growls. “And fucking tempting,” he says before turning on his heel and disappearing from the bathroom.
Shit. What the hell was that? I quickly relieve myself and freshen up before heading back to Manuel at the table.
“Everything okay, you look flushed?” he questions.
“Must be the champagne.” I giggle.
“Maybe we should go for a walk to help cool you down,” Manuel suggests.
“Or we could head back to mine, there’s a pool,” I say, smiling at him sweetly.
The heat that swirls behind his eyes explodes as a grin falls across his lips.
“Nash, we good? We’re heading out,” he calls out toward the bar.
“Yeah, we’re good,” a deep grumble comes back as he continues wiping down the bar not looking up at us.
“He is grumpy.” Manuel laughs as he helps me out of my chair and takes my hand. He then tells his bodyguard, who has been sitting at the table across from us, that we are heading back to mine. “You think Nash is okay with me coming home with you?” he asks as we exit the bar.
“He told me to make myself at home,” I say, giving him a shrug.
“He couldn’t keep his eyes off you all night, I noticed,” Manuel states. Shit.
“Isn’t that what big brothers are meant to do when their little sisters are on a date?” I ask him.
Manuel chuckles. “True. Guess he is protective. I would be, too, if I had a woman like you under my roof. Wouldn’t trust her with anyone, not even me.”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t trust you?” I smirk.
“No. Because the things I want to do to you are indecent,” he confesses.
“Really?” I say, biting my lip as I stop in front of him. “Like what?” I ask, grabbing his hand and placing it between my legs. He hisses when he realizes I’m not wearing any panties. His bodyguard is right behind us but as soon as he notices what is happening, he turns his back. I open my legs wider, enough that his thick finger can slip inside. A deep guttural moan falls from his lips as his finger sinks inside me.
“You’re a naughty little thing, aren’t you?” he coos as he slides inside me. A moan falls from my lips, and I quickly cover it and look over his shoulder where his guard is standing. “Do you want him to watch?” I shake my head. “You want me all to yourself?” I nod as a whimper falls from me and he continues to take what he wants with his fingers. “Diego, wait in the car,” he calls out to his guard. I can see he is about to argue when I let out a louder moan. Manuel turns around and glares at his guard who sees the look his boss is giving and goes. “Is that better, my pet,” he coos at me as his hand cups my cheek.
“Yes,” I moan again as his fingers continue to work inside me.
“You’re so wet for me.” He smirks as I nod. “Have you been thinking about all the ways I can take you at dinner? Because I was.”
“Yes,” I moan again.
“You’re going to be so much fun to play with, pet.” He smiles as he rips his fingers from me and sucks on them. “Now lead the way, before I fuck you against these coconut trees.” I shiver at his words as I pull him in the direction of the home. He slaps my ass which makes me giggle. We walk up the front stairs, and I open the door with the code and pull him inside.
“Wow, who knew Nash had such a beautiful home,” Manuel says, looking around the simple but stunning home. Then his eyes land on the pool at the end of the home, a shimmering aqua mirage. I walk toward the pool and slowly strip off my red dress leaving me completely naked other than my heels. I turn around and look down the corridor at Manuel who seems stunned. “You are not what I was expecting?”
“No?”
“Yeah. I’m used to women being a hell of a lot more timid around me, sexually I mean,” he muses. Shit. Does he not like me being overtly sexual?
“Oh,” I say, trying to feign being hurt.
“Oh no, pet, you’re so fucking perfect. More perfect than I thought,” he says, walking toward me slowly. “I like you taking control.”
“You do?” I’m slightly confused. He nods which surprises me. Then my mind kicks in and I grin. “Take off your clothes.” He nods and quickly starts undressing. I watch as he sheds everything, the man is well built and wow, does he have a nice cock on him, thick with a curve. This should be fun. He patiently waits for me to give him another command. I’ve met many men like this over the years. When they meet a certain woman who they feel can meet their submissive needs, they relent. This is going to make my job so much easier. “Now, get on your knees and crawl to me.” My voice deepens. Manuel’s eyes widen in surprise before he does as he is told, and I watch this big alpha cartel man crawl to me. I press my heel against his shoulder and stop him when he gets to me, his cock is practically leaking. “Do you like this, me taking control?” He hums and nods. “Such a good boy.” His eyes roll back into his head. “Now, let’s see if you can make me come. See if your dick is worth my cunt.”