Charlotte
Chapter 11
Charlotte
O ver the next few days, we settle into a comfortable routine. Abuela and I work at the bookstore. Well, she hangs out while I work. We plan the wedding, and I’m enjoying it. Not only am I learning about Javier’s Hispanic culture, but I also didn’t know much about Catholicism, and it’s fascinating. Growing up without a mother, my father never introduced me to religion. I’ve been curious when I’ve seen it come up in books, but I didn’t know enough to decide to participate in any religion.
I’ve loved having a close relationship with Javier’s grandmother. She’s very nurturing and mother-like, to both of us. She seems to be his soft place and has become mine as well. I’ll almost marry the man just to have his grandmother around.
Stella loves to go through the bookstore shelves and find new indie authors. She prefers the unknown, hidden gems, as I do. We can talk about books all day and not get tired of it. She loves spicy books and even makes Javier blush on occasion when she’s talking about them.
As the week passes, we tick off most things on the wedding to-do list: flowers, the dress, cake. Plus, Abuela makes a guest list and rushes it out to Javier’s associates. I only have one person to invite, and it’s my father. He says the wedding won’t happen, but I’m not convinced.
When Javier is away, I explore the house but have yet to snoop inside of his office. I’m petrified of what will happen if I get caught. Not only that, but I don’t want Javier imprisoned. Sure, I know he’s a criminal, but he’s been taking care of me and is surprisingly gentle.
Though, I suspect he’s been messing with my head since I arrived here, and that makes me distrust him. He went in to take a shower the first night, while I lay in his bed, and he made sure I heard him pleasuring himself. What surprised me, though, was how much it aroused me. In fact, he just has to look at me and I’m turned on.
I’ve been trying to think of a way out of the predicament I’m in. My father expects me to betray Javier and worse yet, Stella. I can’t do that. They’ve done nothing but be kind and take care of me. I know it sounds strange since Javier isn’t a good man, but he’s been good to me, aside from the kidnapping.
I also don’t understand how my father can expect me to leave here and marry Eric like I didn’t find him cheating on me with my best friend. There’s no way I can do that.
Two days before the wedding, I’m in my bookshop working. Abuela isn’t here today, and I hear the bell above the door jingle. I look up and my mouth drops open in shock. There stands Eric and my father, together.
“Char. How’ve you been?” Eric says as he walks to me and leans in to kiss me. He aims for my lips, but I turn my head, and his kiss lands on my cheek. I reach up and wipe it away. Nausea burns my stomach.
“What are you doing here, Eric?” I clip.
“Can’t I come visit my fiancée who I haven’t seen in days?”
“I’m not your fiancée! We aren’t together.”
Eric reaches up and grabs my arm, causing me to wince in pain.
“Yeah, because you’re acting like a bitch. The wedding is happening in three months so get over your little tantrum.” Eric scowls.
“Will you two shut the fuck up,” my father snaps.
“Charlotte, why haven’t you called? I need the evidence Javier has on me. Did you check his desk, computers, phone, maybe a safe?”
“Dad, no, and I’m not going to, either. It’s not my problem that your dirty dealings have caught up with you. I’m not getting involved in that. Javier would kill me if he found out.”
My father shocks me by reaching out and grabbing my throat. “Look, you little bitch, you are going to find the evidence he’s hiding or I’m going to kill you myself.”
Eric stands to the side with one eyebrow raised but makes no effort to save me. As my father lets me go, I cough and try to catch my breath.
My father has always been cold and abusive, but I’ve always excused it out of the guilt I feel over my mother’s death. Trading me to a politician’s son for his own gain is worlds apart from trading me to a deadly Cartel leader. That, on top of asking me to betray Javier is going to get me killed, and he doesn’t seem bothered at all. He’s a bigger monster than I ever realized. Fear, like icy tendrils, wraps around my core, constricting and paralyzing me, making me realize I’m alone in this. My father will not save me.
“Charlotte, Tillie is coming back to work. You’ve had enough time to get over your little tantrum. I’ve told her she can come back to the store tomorrow,” Eric says with a conceited smirk.
Anger surges through my veins and my heart starts pounding. “Eric, who the fuck do you think you are? Tillie drained my bank accounts and sabotaged my business. I don’t even know if I can save my bookstore after she stole from me. This is my business, and no way in hell is she going to be working here again.”
My father decides then to chime in, “She did you a favor. This store is a waste of your time. You are going to be marrying a senator’s son and will need the extra time for social events.”
“No! I’m not losing my business. I love this store, and it’s all you’ve allowed me to have of my own.”
Out of nowhere, I feel a stinging jolt across my cheek. Reaching up, I place my hand over the area that hurts and look at my father with wide eyes.
“Enough with the fucking dramatics, Charlotte,” my father says as he rolls his eyes.
“I can’t believe you two. You come here and demand I do things your way and leave me banged up while defending a woman who slept with my fiancé. Yet, you expect me to betray a man who has done nothing but treat me respectfully.”
“You’re the one giving your pussy up to a fucking drug dealer, Char. Get off your high horse,” Eric snorts.
I think about the position they’ve placed me in, and the walls start to close in on me. I’m the one who is going to die if I double cross a dangerous man, and yet, they don’t care.
As I wipe my sweaty palms on my clothes, I try to think of how to get out of this mess before it gets me murdered.
I’m starting to think that I’ve been doing the wrong man’s bidding all along. Okay, so he doesn’t wear a badge, but Javier is clearly the better man.
One thing is certain. I need to take a side and pin my future on the man who will look out for my best interests.