“Welcome.”
Xavier speaks from his seat.
“And an especially warm welcome to our guest of honor, Signore Jimenez.”
I follow my husband’s smile to a man sitting at the other end of the table. He’s much older, likely in his sixties, with a body bloated from enjoying the finer things life offers. And he’s staring right at me, his graying, balding head cocked to the side as he devours me in the skimpy dress Xavier forced me into before the evening began.
“Signore Jimenez has been an integral part of our cartel for many years,” Xavier goes on with a dark smile. “And this weekend is all about honoring the important role he’s played in getting us up in rank. To Jimenez!”,
Looking away, I force myself to hide my disgust while everyone toasts. I can’t show anyone how I feel - it’ll only make Xavier happier to hurt me. I already know the pain is coming. It always does at dinner parties like this.
“What do you think of my pretty wife, Jimenez?”
Xavier grabs my hand with painful force, dragging me to him so hard I fall off my chair. But this seems to please him, and once I’m on my knees next to his chair, he forces my head into his lap.
“Pretty one, isn’t she?”
“A bit too old for my liking,” Jimenez speaks, in a thick accent, making my blood run cold in fear.
The man disgusts me more and more with every word, and I fight the reflex to shudder in his proximity. But the one I feel most sorry for is the girl at Jimenez’s feet, a pretty brunette who seems barely old enough and drugged out of her mind.
“Ah yes, I remember your taste for the young ones.”
My husband smirks.
“Maybe it’s time I upgraded.”
I’m only twenty-six, but Xavier’s words sting, sending my thoughts into a spiral. If he’s no longer interested in me, I’m as good as dead. My only purpose is being his faithful wife - and giving him the heir he craves so badly. But so far, nothing. It’s been eight years, and I know Xavier’s getting suspicious. But my best kept secret is safe - for now.
My maid, Adelina, has been helping me, getting me birth control since I first got here.
She saw me crying one night, quickly realizing how deathly afraid I was of getting pregnant with the man I hate most in the world. And she came through for me. Now, she slips a pill into my palm every morning. I’m so very grateful to her, and I’ve already promised to myself I’ll repay her once I finally get the hell out of the prison I’ve been thrust into.
“Well, she’s not bad to look at,” Jimenez mutters, reaching out to stroke my thigh.
I force myself to fight the look of repulsion off my face, but I know Xavier has noticed. His eyes glitter with dark intent, making me curse inwardly. I shouldn’t have shown my weakness. All that’s going to do is make him turn it against me.
But Jimenez isn’t done yet, and he smirks, saying, “What, are you afraid of me?”
“No,” Xavier interrupts in his booming, loud voice. “The only man she’s truly afraid of is me. Isn’t that right, little girl?”
His nickname for me has always disgusted me, but now, with Jimenez here, it really makes me sick to my stomach.
But I fight off my feelings and manage a beatific smile, pretending nothing is wrong as I obediently say, “Of course.”
“Why don’t you show my friend your pretty cuffs?” Xavier asks. “See, they’re top of the line. You should get some for your own girls, Jimenez.”
He pulls forcibly on my arm and I wince as he shows off the golden bracelets decorating my wrist. Just for fun, he sends a shock through the bracelet, making me cry out in pain. The whole table laughs. My cheeks burn with the shame of it all, being put through this for everyone to see.
“The cuffs certainly made her more obedient,” Xavier smirks. “If you want a pair for your own wife… just let me know.”
“Ah, I won’t be settling down soon.” Jimenez chuckles, kicking the girl at his feet. “Though your little girl certainly is tempting.”
I glance at Xavier, hoping for my sake he’ll get jealous. He’s shared me with other men before, and took great pleasure in picking the ones I was most repulsed by. On the rare occasion he gets jealous, though, he won’t let anybody so much as look at me.
But today isn’t my lucky day.
Xavier is wearing an amused expression as he stares me down, enjoying my repulsed reaction to his friend.
“What, you don’t like him?” he asks, making a mocking face. “Remember, little girl, you don’t have a choice.”
Those words again, the ones he loves to taunt me with. At every step, Xavier just loves to remind me I’m nothing but a pawn in his game. I fucking hate him for making me feel so utterly helpless.