Chapter 30 #2
"He was the first Venturan we executed. But I had to make an example of him and tore his wings from his back before the executioner claimed his head.
I had them nailed to my office wall as a constant reminder of our victory.
They serve as a call to keep our city pure.
" He cocks his head to the side and takes a long swig of his drink, observing me.
"You are pale, Elena. Perhaps, we should refrain from speaking of such violence.
I forget women have weaker dispositions than their male counterparts.
Your tolerance for such matters is low, forgive me. "
If only he knew he was what sickened me. Rage ignites within my soul and the urge to carve up his body nearly topples over the edge of restraint. He will have his comeuppance. Just not yet. I truly hope Remus did not witness the torture his father publicly endured before his death.
The corner of my lip raises slightly, and I take a much-needed sip of the amber liquid.
It stings the back of my throat but it's a welcome burn.
"Yes, I'm afraid we women haven't the stomach for such things.
" A lie. I have a stomach for such things.
And one day, very soon, I will watch in morbid delight as Remus has his way with him.
"Well, let's move on to why I wanted to speak with you." He rolls his shoulders back and reclines in his chair. "It seems congratulations are in order. My son informed me he asked you to marry him a few nights ago."
I breathe a sigh of relief and nod, lifting my left hand for him to see the glittering jewel. "And I said yes."
He smiles, running his fingers across his moustache. "Red suits you. Although, if I had proposed to you, I would have given you an emerald to compliment your eyes. They're stunning. Very unique."
I hold his leer and refrain from shuddering when he licks his bottom lip. "A lot of Orlencians have green eyes," I downplay my most noticeable feature, hoping he'll move on. But alas, he doesn't.
"Forgive me for staring, but I thought all Lozanos and Oteros had brown eyes."
Anxiety prickles at my skin, but I remain stoic and chuckle lightheartedly. "Most of us do, but I was born with green eyes. My father says the Saints blessed me."
"Your father is correct. According to the Saints, people born with green eyes remind us of life and prosperity.
" Talk of the Saints elicits a sick radiance in his features.
"An old wives' tale is if a woman has green eyes, she's fertile, and will bring new life to the world. How fortunate for my son."
"Fortunate, indeed," I agree, unsure of how he expected me to respond to such brash innuendo.
"Do you intend to live here in Orlencia once you marry Rogelio? Or will you be returning to the countryside where your family's olive grove is?" He intertwines his fingers. "You're an intelligent woman, I'm sure you understand Rogelio will inherit my titles and position when I've passed."
Which can't come soon enough.
"I assumed as much."
"You are also the heir to your family's business." His fingers tap against his desk, fraying my nerves. "Have you thought about what you will do once you're married?"
"Don Severo, I haven't spoken with Rogelio about any of this. Perhaps, I should discuss this with him first."
"Humor me," he raises his glass to his lips, eyes cruel and calculating.
I grind my back teeth. "I would spend my time here in Orlencia and hire a manager to run the family business and report to me.
" I come up with all of this on the fly, hoping my business savvy will impress him.
And it seems to work because he nods in approval, mulling over my tentative plans before saying, "A good plan. And children?"
"What of them?"
"Do you intend to give my son an heir?"
What the hell kind of question is that?
"As many as the Saints bless us with," I force myself to smile through the discomfort, wishing all of this would end swiftly.
"I hope you don't find my line of questioning intrusive," he groans, rooting his elbows to his desk.
"I know my son is quite taken by you and I want to ensure he's making a well-thought-out decision.
Marriage isn't about love. It's a business transaction.
How will him marrying you benefit House Murrieta? "
"I believe the question is, how will marrying Rogelio benefit House Lozano and House Otero?" I fire back, a venomous smile of my own making an appearance.
Though his nostrils flare and my heart thunders beneath my ribcage, I press onward, throwing my weight around. He doesn't need to know it's all made up. The best way to con someone is to believe every word you say is true.