8. Chapter 8
Rosalina
When we pulled into the driveway and continued around to the garage, I noticed an unfamiliar matte black sports car parked in front of the ostentatious fountain, screaming wealth and class.
That sexy hunk of metal certainly hadn’t been here last night.
It appeared we had a guest. That might’ve been my first stroke of luck today. My father didn't like to air family business in public, which may buy me more time to work out a reasonable excuse. If there was one.
Diego opened my door and handed me down from the car. He didn’t let go of my elbow as he guided me through the garage and into the house. I wanted to jerk my arm from his grip, but if Diego was this on edge, I decided I’d roll with it and see where it went.
“Get cleaned up. Your father is in a meeting but wants you in his office as soon as you’re presentable. Do not dawdle. I mean it, Rosa.” He left me at the door to my room with a stern look and marched away.
No such luck, then. There would be no reprieve from the inevitable, so I did what I was told.
I washed my face, dragged a brush through my hair, popped a suppressant and a scent dampener, and pulled on a pair of ratty jeans and a comfy, worn-out cotton T-shirt.
I considered putting my newly acquired hoodie back on, but thought better of it.
In fact, if I didn’t hide it, it would end up in the wash, and for some reason I refused to admit that was the last thing I wanted to happen. I knew just the place.
My hands trembled as I unlocked the little-used, plain-looking door.
The only thing that set it apart from my bathroom and closet was the industrial lock with a card reader and pin pad.
A shiver of unease worked its way down my spine as I stepped into the tiny anteroom that led to my nest. My sanctuary should’ve brought me peace and calm.
That's what nests were for. But not mine.
Mine only held memories of unfulfilled heats and loneliness locked away where no one could hear me cry.
My father said it was for my safety, that an unmated alpha would tear me apart.
No one could get in, but I couldn't get out either. My heats were days of frantic, drug-filled torture with no contact from anyone to soothe the pain.
That was the past, and wallowing in it was a waste of time. I had prescriptions now, and I could put off my heat indefinitely as long as I didn't miss a pill. My nest was locked away behind the metal door on the far wall and wouldn’t be needed if I had any say in the matter.
Diego warned me not to dawdle, and if I took too long, he’d come looking for me. Then my father would be angry at us both.
I shook off the memories of unfulfilled heats and turned my attention back to the task at hand.
There weren't many hiding places in the stuffy space. To the left was a door to a tiny, tiled bathroom. To the right, a small table with a mini-fridge tucked under it humming away even though it was empty. I knelt down, pressing the hoodie to my face one last time, breathing in a lungful of the delicious clove and sandalwood scent that clung to it before stuffing it in the corner under the table. After a brief moment of hesitation, I slid my phone in beside the sweatshirt. It wasn’t well hidden, but no one came in here anymore, so it shouldn’t be stumbled upon while I was gone.
I gave the metal door on the far wall a backward glance. Once, I’d loved the idea of having a nest of my own, safe and secure. But over the years, I’d come to realize that it was only there to keep my father’s property unblemished. Nothing more.
Not bothering with makeup or a bra, I headed to my father’s office, ready to be scolded like the disappointment I’d always been.
The door to his office was closed, but the smell of expensive cigars and whiskey hit me before I even knocked. Muffled masculine laughter reached me through the solid wood, pausing at my irritated rapping, and my father’s voice called out for me to enter.
In the back of my mind, the shy omega part, I’d hoped his meeting would be over by the time I got here. I didn't want anyone to witness my shame, but the logical part of me hoped the audience would temper my father's anger. It had saved me in the past, but this felt different.
There was nothing to do now but steel myself with the fervent hope he wouldn't humiliate me in front of a business associate. I breezed inside, my head high with a false confidence I didn’t feel.
Thick, curling smoke blanketed the large, wood-paneled room in a sweet-smelling haze.
My attention snapped to the man sitting across from my father.
The sheer intensity of his presence siphoned the air straight from my lungs.
His fathomless gaze drilled into the depths of my soul, tugging my secrets to the surface.
Every shadowed feature hummed with menace, but it drew me toward him like a moth to a flame.
My fingers ached to brush against the dusting of perfectly trimmed, very intentional scruff.
Everything about him was polished, from his razor-sharp hairline to his tailored suit.
He was an equal to the green-eyed alpha I’d met the night before, only slightly larger and more intimidating.
Where the man from last night had dark copper skin, this alpha had rich, dusky skin and eyes so black they devoured the light.
I found myself half a step closer to him than I’d intended, with no idea how I’d got there.
“Daughter, there you are. I’d hoped to put this off until absolutely necessary, but you forced my hand with your prank last night.
This is Cruz, your new bodyguard. He’s been ordered to stick to your side like glue.
If you want to leave the house for any reason, even on the grounds, you will take him with you.
He’s fully vetted and discreet. Just go about your normal routine and pretend like he’s not there. ”
My father’s voice broke me from my daze, and I crossed my arms across my breasts, suddenly regretting not having worn a bra.
The bodyguard’s dark eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly in an instant as he took in my disheveled presentation.
When he stood from his seat, the magnitude of his size became apparent.
It might have taken a tractor to get my jaw up off the floor if it hadn’t been for Cruz’s smoke-filled voice greeting me and holding his hand out for me to shake.
“Ma’am.”
I snapped my mouth shut and swallowed hard, hoping he hadn’t caught me drooling.
The smile tilting up the corner of his depthless gaze told me he’d seen my surprise and was amused by it.
I wondered if he knew I noticed his reaction, too.
I knew how my father’s recruits usually looked at me, but I was a mess with rumpled hair and clothes that barely fit.
It wasn’t admiration in his eyes this time.
This was not a good start.
Without a word, I shook his hand, keeping the other arm across my chest. His warm, calloused fingers curled around mine, emphasizing how much bigger he was than me.
His body heat sent chills dancing up my spine.
I was speechless, still reeling from this new revelation.
The chances of ignoring him and going about my business, as my father had suggested, were slim to none.
Even if he hadn’t been so big, his presence had the gravity of inevitability.
Regardless of his pull, even at my worst I’d never been assigned an overdressed babysitter inside the compound.
And overdressed he was, in an expertly tailored suit.
I knew where to look, but even with that knowledge, the concealed weapons he was carrying were hard to pinpoint.
This was no ordinary bodyguard. Something more serious than I was willing to consider must be going on.
“Can I go now? I’ve got things to do.” That was bullshit. I had nothing to do but wallow in my own stupidity. I knew this was coming, I just didn't realize how bad it was going to be.
My father seemed to know he’d pushed me as far as was prudent, so he waved me off.
But as my hand dropped to the doorknob, my father’s voice rang out behind me.
“This is not a game, Rosa. I have more security on the property reinforcing the regular guards, but do not go wandering without Cruz. I don’t want to have to assign more valuable resources to your sole safety.
You are not the only person here, and your disregard for the rules endangers everyone. ”
He really knew how to hit me where it hurt. I didn’t care that much for my own wellbeing, but the safety of Maria, Diego, and many of the other staff did mean something to me.
My chest tightened with emotion thinking about Maria. It meant a lot.
If there was some sort of danger, innocents could end up in the crossfire as collateral damage.
I knew all too well how easily a life could be taken.
The way the light dimmed from their eyes as their heartbeat for the last time.
I knew death better than anyone should have to, and that wasn’t something I wanted to be responsible for.
Shaking the dark memories from my thoughts, I looked Cruz over once more.
He was no doubt sexy as fuck, but he carried himself like he knew his way around a gun.
And probably a woman’s body, too, but I couldn’t think about that right now.
Resolving myself to ignore the man, I spun toward the door and ripped it open.
I could behave, mostly. If it meant the safety of my friends.
My father stood from his chair, adjusting his tie. “And one more thing before you go. I’ve arranged your marriage to Lorenzo Vasco. I’m sure you remember him.”