Stealing Beauty (Stolen 1)

A heavy beat hit me as soon as the silvery doors slid open, admitting us to the V.I.P. balcony level of the club. Stefano was already dancing, twirling a lithe blonde before pulling her close to his chest, his hands squeezing her hips. A dozen other guests filled the space. Some lounged on plush couches, sipping margaritas. Others danced alongside Stefano and his blonde partner. Most of the men were as bulky as Mateo. It seemed Stefano liked to surround himself with intimidating friends.

Mateo was already in the club, leaning an elbow against the balcony railing. He’d positioned himself so he could survey the people around us and the patrons below. A pretty brunette stood at his side, smiling and chattering at him. He didn’t bother to try to look interested in what she had to say. If anything, he appeared bored, but the sharp glint of his black eyes as he surveyed Stefano’s guests made it clear he was watching for the slightest threat to our safety.

“Adrián!” Stefano called out over the pulsing music. He waved us over to the dance floor.

Adrián’s full lips pressed to a thin line, but he tugged me along to join his supposed friend.

“Loosen up, hermano,” Stefano urged when we reached him. “Have a drink.”

“I’d rather not,” Adrián replied coldly.

Stefano laughed. “I thought you liked my mezcal.” He shrugged, still smiling as though he was having the time of his life. “At least dance with us, if you won’t drink.”

Adrián’s pale eyes flashed under the blue club lights as his furious glare turned on me. I lifted my chin, glowering right back at him. It wasn’t my fault that Stefano was forcing him to dance with me. I didn’t want Adrián to touch me any more than he wanted me to hold him, but it didn’t seem we had much of a choice. As long as we were in Stefano’s territory, we had to play by his rules.

We started to dance, Adrián’s hands too harsh as he maneuvered my body with the passion of pure hatred. I twirled and swayed my hips, allowing him to guide me. After a few songs, my body warmed from more than physical exertion. I remembered the heat of his cruel hands on me when I was younger, when he’d pinned me against the ground as he explored me with his fingers and his teeth.

Suddenly, he pulled my arm with almost violent force, spinning me back to him. I smacked into his chest and stumbled in my high heels, but his big hands instantly bracketed my waist, sinking into my flesh. His glowing eyes burned into me, his hold harsh enough to leave a mark on my skin. A shiver raced through me, my body coming alive in response to the sensual threat he posed. It had always been like this between us: I found a little thrill in the fear he elicited. It made my blood heat and my belly flutter.

My head tipped back, and I arched into him.

He leaned over me, his mouth nearing mine. Before our lips touched, he gnashed his teeth and jerked away from me.

“We’re done here,” he snapped. “Let’s go.”

Bitter anger surged, obliterating my lust. I followed him in sullen silence as he half-dragged me back to the elevator, his fingers still digging into my hip. He punched the button for the ninth floor. I tried to push away from him once the doors slid closed, but he snarled at me and tightened his grip.

I managed to bite my tongue until we stepped into the bedroom that Stefano had provided for us.

“I hate you,” I seethed. I turned into him, slapping his granite chest with both hands. “And you’ve made it clear that you feel the same about me. If you hate me so much, why bother keeping me?” I railed at him. “Owning me is just some power play against your father and Hugo. Stealing me is your way of punishing them, isn’t it? Admit it!” I demanded on a shout.

“It’s my way of punishing you,” he roared, his cheeks deepening to a furious shade of crimson. A vein ticked in his forehead, and he bared his teeth at me like an enraged animal. “You betrayed me. You chose to love him.”

My jaw dropped, shock ripping through me. He thought I wanted to be with Hugo?

“After you married him, I received a video. I got one every fucking year on your anniversary, and every year, you were more enthusiastic.” He spat out each disgusting accusation. “You told Hugo you loved him. You fucked him. And you liked it.”

My fingers curled to fists, and I punched his chest with all my strength. “You think I chose that?” I shrieked, rage washing through me in a searing tidal wave. “You think that was real? He broke me, Adrián!” I couldn’t stop hitting him, couldn’t stop the furious tirade from leaving me on a scream. “Your father forced me to marry Hugo. For months after you left me, he raped me every night. I fought him, but he liked having the excuse to beat me. Eventually, I managed to bloody his nose. So, he broke my wrists. I couldn’t do anything to take care of myself for months. He fed me, clothed me. Washed me.” I shuddered at the memories of my humiliation. “He told me he’d break every bone in my body if that was what it took to make me his loving, obedient wife.”