I was dimly aware that Adrián was placing the video call to Caesar, his phone ringing loudly through the speaker.
The conflict between the two drug lords receded to the back of my mind. I couldn’t stop touching Sofia. My fingers sank into her hair, testing the weight of her voluminous, perfect curls for the first time. They spilled over my fingers, their silky texture enthralling.
“Princesa,” Caesar rasped, the endearment heavy with horror. “Get away from my daughter!” His shout echoed through the dining room, but it barely penetrated my awareness; my full focus was on Sofia.
She blinked slowly, the sparkling emerald of her lovely eyes peeking through her thick, dark lashes. “Daddy?” she slurred.
Possessive anger washed through me in a red wave. I was touching her. She shouldn’t be thinking of anyone else, not even her panic-stricken father.
My fingers tightened in her hair, commanding her attention. Her eyes lifted to mine, focusing on my face. A little shocked yelp left her pouty lips, and she tried to shrink away from me.
I wouldn’t allow that. I couldn’t.
My hand fisted in the curls at her nape, ruthlessly tugging her head back, so she was trapped under my stare. She trembled, her breaths coming faster as her pupils dilated. The rapid rise and fall of her chest made her breasts strain against my ropes. Savage hunger knifed through my gut, my arousal almost painful.
“What are you doing?” she asked breathily. She tried to twist away, her eyes widening when she realized I’d tied her up. Her struggles further incited my lust, and when she gasped my name, I almost lost control.
“Mateo.”
Fuck, that little fearful hitch in her voice made my blood run hot in my veins. This was everything I’d ever wanted from her, and the fulfillment of my darkest fantasies awoke desire so keen, it set my teeth on edge.
A low, animal sound clawed from my chest, the primal need to conquer and claim overtaking my mind. My hand left her cheek to trail down her throat. I pressed my palm against her neck, my fingers coming to rest on her artery. It pulsed beneath my touch, so susceptible to the lightest pressure.
Her lips parted on a sharp intake of breath, and her gorgeous eyes remained trapped under my gaze. There was nowhere for her to run, no way to escape me. She was completely powerless under my hands and in my ropes.
Despite my raging desire, a strange sense of calm settled over me. After years of self-imposed, tormented denial, I finally had her thoroughly under my control. Half a decade of pent-up frustration melted away, and I indulged in the first physical contact with Sofia I’d ever permitted myself.
“As you can see, we have your daughter.” Adrián’s cold voice floated over my shoulder.
He was speaking to Caesar. Their conversation was none of my concern, and I hardly bothered to listen to the exchange. All that mattered was the woman bound before me, her breath coming in sharp little panting gasps and her lithe body trembling for me.
“Let her go,” Caesar demanded.
Not fucking happening. My fist tightened in her hair, and her head dropped back farther. Her lips were offered up to me. I’d always wondered how lush and plump they’d feel.
I didn’t hesitate to continue exploring her, rubbing my thumb across her pretty mouth, tracing the soft O of her parted lips. The thought of sliding my cock over her tongue tormented me, but I would content myself with learning her body with my hands first. I wanted to take my time with her, to savor her. To worship her, even as I craved to see her kneeling at my feet and worshipping me.
“Don’t hurt Sofia,” Caesar begged. “She’s innocent.”
Innocent. The word threaded through my mind, penetrating the lustful haze.
Yes, Sofia was innocent. I’d wanted to keep her that way. I’d coveted her, but I’d always kept my distance.
My touch faltered on her face.
“So is Valentina,” Adrián shot back at Caesar. “If you want your daughter to live, you’ll welcome me into your home and allow me to kill Hugo. You’ve made a mistake, but it’s one I’m willing to forgive. You’re loyal to me from now on, or Sofia will suffer.”
Oh, there were so many ways I wanted to make her suffer, and none of them involved my usual, bloody forms of torture. Forcing her to orgasm again and again until she wept for mercy would be a good start.
“Whatever you want,” Caesar agreed desperately. “Just give her back to me. Don’t hurt my little girl.”
“I’ll be at your house in twenty minutes,” Adrián told him. “Open your gate for me. And if you try to betray me again, Mateo will deal with Sofia. Don’t tell Hugo what’s happening. I won’t risk him running back to Bogotá. He dies today.”
“Yes,” Caesar agreed quickly. “Just don’t let that animal touch Sofia.”