“Isabel.” She introduced herself before clearing her throat. She straightened her shoulders, and when she spoke again, the quaver dropped from her voice. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Do you want to come in? You’ll have to excuse Raúl,” I added quickly. “He was about to go spend some time in his workshop.” I turned to him with a sweet smile. “Don’t let us hold you up. I know you wanted to finish that big project today.”
We hadn’t discussed any such thing, but my white lie melted his scowl. He dropped a quick kiss on my forehead and strode away without a word, heading for the haven of his man cave.
When I returned my attention to Isabel, I found her jaw hanging open. She quickly closed it with an audible snap and blinked rapidly, clearing away her momentary shock.
I supposed Raúl’s intensity would be enough to shock anyone, especially someone like Isabel, whose willowy frame looked as though she’d be knocked over by a strong wind. Her loose-fitting, white crop top and wide-legged, ankle length jeans did nothing to bulk out her appearance. If anything, the shapeless clothes made her limbs seem even more delicate.
I stepped aside and welcomed her into the house with a bright smile, eager to offer her shelter. Anyone with half a heart would experience the impulse to shield her fragile frame.
Raúl’s forbidding scowl flashed across my mind, but I immediately dismissed his hostility. It hadn’t been an intentional show of intimidation. He’d clearly been enraged by the fact that Daniel had put Isabel at risk during the coup. His fearsome expression was solely a result of his discomfort at having someone in his private space. It had nothing to do with actual dislike.
A pleasant lightness made my feet seem to float a few inches off the polished wooden floorboards as I ushered her into the lounge. I’d forgotten the simple joy of hosting a friend, adding happiness to their day through offering a warm welcome and engaging conversation.
When she’d settled on the gray leather, L-shaped couch, I went to the kitchen to get drinks for us. Suddenly, I wished Raúl had given me a little more notice about her visit. I would’ve prepared a more elaborate spread.
Next time, I promised myself as I returned to Isabel with a wide, almost silly smile stretching my lips.
I don’t want you to feel like a prisoner. Raúl’s words played through my mind.
For the first time, the sense that I was trapped here against my will began to ease. Ever since the day he’d hunted me through the woods and punished me for trying to escape, I’d avoided thinking about my captive situation. I’d remained focused on living one day at a time, languishing in each blissful hour I spent in Raúl’s strong, silent presence.
But in the back of my mind, I’d still felt caged. Now, the invisible bars that kept me confined seemed to fall away. Raúl truly didn’t intend to keep me locked away forever. I’d thought I wanted my freedom, but maybe I was already free.
Raúl might not let me leave, but I was free to refuse him. He didn’t force himself on me, and he treated me as though I was the most precious thing in his world. And he gave me more pleasure than I’d ever dreamed was possible, lighting my body on fire with his domineering, demanding hands.
I’m free to choose to stay, too. A small, hopeful voice whispered from deep in my soul.
“I’m glad to see you smiling.” Isabel’s tentative statement pushed through my new, tempting thoughts as she accepted the drink I offered.
“I’m glad, too.” I sighed happily and settled down on the couch, seating myself across from her.
Her thick lashes narrowed slightly, skeptical. She cocked her head at me, studying my face for several seconds before finally speaking slowly, as though choosing her words carefully. “Are you really doing okay? I mean…” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “We haven’t met before, but I know about you. Just a bit. Everyone in the cartel has been made aware that Carmen is worried about your safety. She thinks you’re lost and all alone somewhere, and she wants you found. She thinks Raúl is helping her.”
Her eyes darted around the huge, empty lounge, checking to make sure no one was listening. “But he has you here with him. He’s been lying to Carmen and Stefano. When he told me you were here…” Her chin dipped, making her big eyes seem larger than ever as she fixed me in her worried stare. “Are you really okay, Marisol? You can tell me. I can help you.”
“I’m fine!” I insisted, making my own quick inspection of the room. I heaved a soft sigh of relief when I confirmed that Raúl wasn’t lurking anywhere nearby. If he heard Isabel offering to help me escape, he would probably lose his mind; just like when he’d torn after me in a feral rage when I’d tried to run from him in the woods.
“Seriously, I’m fine,” I said in a calmer cadence. “More than fine. Raúl has been amazing. He’s been keeping me safe here, that’s all.”
She pressed her hot-pink lips together and shifted in her seat. Then, she straightened her spine. “He shouldn’t be hiding you from Carmen. Even if he is treating you well, this isn’t good. Carmen truly cares about you, and she’d be furious if she found out Raúl’s been keeping you locked away in his house.”
“It’s not like that.” Even as the protest left my lips, unease stirred my gut. She was edging very close to the uncomfortable truth. “He doesn’t want a conflict with Carmen and Stefano over me. He’s going to tell them he’s found me eventually.”
“There wouldn’t be a reason for a conflict at all if he’d just taken you safely to Carmen as soon as he found you. How long have you been here with him?”
I tried not to squirm under the weight of her scrutiny. “I’m not sure. Three weeks, maybe? But really, it’s been wonderful. Raúl’s done nothing wrong.”
Her delicate features firmed with determination. “If he’s not doing anything wrong, then why would he have to threaten me to keep his secret?”
Her challenging question hit me like a punch to the chest, knocking all the air from my lungs. “He threatened you?”
She nodded grimly. “He reminded me that my family is on shaky ground with the cartel after Daniel’s attempted coup.” Her lips twisted around her brother’s name, but her ire remained focused on Raúl. “He knows I didn’t have anything to do with it, but he still implied that I could be in serious trouble if he wanted to sway Stefano against me. Raúl is a brute, but he has a lot of power within the cartel. He could have me killed with a single word.”
I shook my head in immediate, vehement refusal. “He wouldn’t do that. No, listen.” I cut her off before she could interrupt me. “I know Raúl can be intimidating. But he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. When he told me how Daniel had left you at home during the assault, with no warning to protect yourself, Raúl was furious. He was enraged that your brother had put you in danger like that. I’m truly sorry if he’s scared you with threats, but I promise he would never follow through with them. He just wants to delay Carmen finding out that I’m here with him. He says things would get tense with the cartel if she knows.”