After wiping my hand on his coat, I close the trunk.
“Mr. Saldana?” My mouse’s voice hits my ears, and I freeze.
4
Valentina
Cesar slowly turns to face me. I think I may have surprised him, but he schools his expression, not showing me any type of emotion. I knew it was him. I could feel someone’s eyes on me in the diner, the same way I’ve felt them so many times before.
He’s always watching in some form or fashion. When I got a glimpse of him outside, I jumped up and paid the bill as quickly as I could. I wanted to actually catch him spying on me. It wasn't until I’d already called his name that I realized I was outing myself. Though if he followed me here, then he already knows what I’m up to. Does he know about the pawn shop too? Shit.
A chill runs through my body, but it’s not from fear. It’s something else that I can’t put my finger on. Then again, what will happen if he does know? I would’ve been better off slipping out the back of the diner and making a run for it. That leaves me with the same dilemma I always have when I think of escaping. Where would I run? I can’t leave my mom behind. That will never happen.
“Valentina.” He takes a step toward me.
I glance at the trunk of the BMW he had his hand on. I know it’s not his. All the man ever drives is Mercedes. He has a black fleet of them. Everyone at the estate drives them.
“Are you following me?” I tilt my chin up and pretend he’s the one that did something wrong. Really I’m just trying to feel him out to see what he knows and how long he’s been following me.
“This is a bad part of town for you to be in so late at night.” He steps closer, his dark eyes eating me up as he towers over me.
That’s not what I thought he was going to say. This must be some sort of trick. He’s trying to make me feel comfortable so it will be easier for him to punish me or maybe kill me.
“I’m sorry your food sucks, but I had to get something good to eat. Otherwise I’d starve.” That’s all a lie. Martha makes the best food.
“I can send someone out to get you food.” His face shows no expression.
I have no idea if he’s serious or being a smart ass.
He gestures toward the Mercedes parked at the back of the lot. “Get in the car.”
Jewels leans on the diner wall. “Is that your dad?”
I snort a laugh. Cesar, my dad? Not a chance. His jaw seemed to tighten when she asked the question. Bothered much?
I honestly have no idea how old he is. From the way he acts I’d say late forties. From the way he looks I’d say mid-thirties. Dark hair, dark eyes, perfect skin, and a 5 o’clock shadow I want to rub my cheek against. No, definitely not my dad.
Jewels sucks her milkshake straw loudly. “I’ll take you home, okay?”
“You will stay where you are. Valentina is coming with me.” His tone brooks no argument.
Jewels cocks her head. “Your dad is kind of mean. But like, hot mean.”
Why isn’t he murdering me? Seems like he wants to with how tense he is. Oh, wait. I see what’s going on. He can’t kill me with people watching. Ha! Perfect time for me to give him a little more lip. I mean, what could it hurt now? I’m already caught, I might as well needle him before he decides my fate.
“My dad? No. But he might as well be,” I mutter.
“Get in the car, Valentina.” His tone is lethal but patient.
I stand there, unsure what I should do. How much trouble am I really in? Would he really kill me? My eyes lock with his.
“Don’t make me ask again.” This is said under his breath for my ears only. I nod, not wanting to get Jewels tangled up with Cesar. If he wants me to get in the car, I’m going to get in the car. If I tried to fight him, Jewels would help me and end up in his path.
“I’ll see you later.” I turn and give Jewels a nod.
“Text me.” She eyes Cesar for a moment before her eyes flick to his car. I know she’s memorizing his plates in case something happens to me.
“Don’t hurt her,” I whisper as I make my way to his car.
He’s faster and surprises me when he opens my door. I get in, then watch as Jewels gets into her car and Cesar slips into the driver's seat.
“Seat belt,” he says as he pulls out of the parking lot.
I put it on, not because he told me to, but because I want to. I always do since I lost my father in a car accident.
He sighs. “Relax. I’m not going to hurt your friend.”
I let out a small breath of relief.
The car grows silent as we make our way back home. I try not to fidget in my seat. This is the first time I’ve ever been really alone with Cesar. Not only that, but the space seems so small. I can smell his warm, woodsy scent. I smelled it a few times before when I’d snuck into his place to steal things. I’ve always wondered if it was something he washed himself with. Has to be. No one naturally smells like cedar, right?
“Am I in trouble?” I finally ask.
“For?” He looks over at me. He drives closer and closer to the estate. I should be scared. I’d snuck out. Hell, I’d done more than that but he’s not calling me on it.
“Are you going to tell my mom about this?” I ask another question of my own.
“No. I don’t care to worry your mother.” The gate rises without us having to stop. Cesar pulls the car up the long driveaway. He circles around the house to the large garage underneath.
“Thanks.” I think. I still don’t trust that he doesn’t have something up his sleeve, but I’ll roll with it. “I shouldn't have to sneak out at all.” I push my luck. I don’t even look over at him to see his reaction or if he heard me. I’m 20 years old. I shouldn’t be so sassy, but I swear I only act like I’m 14 because I’ve been locked away in this house. I blame Cesar for my theft problem. Idle hands and all.
The car comes to a stop. I don’t wait for him to say anything else. I fling off my seat belt and open the door to make my escape. He’s faster than me again. He grabs my wrist. My feet are already out of the car. It makes me turn my upper body toward him, causing us to come face to face. Our eyes are locked. The masculine scent of cedar and wood fills my nose as I try to keep my cool.
“You forgot something.” He holds up his other hand. When he opens it, the necklace I’d sold earlier dangles from his fingers. I stare at it, unable to formulate words. He’s going to kill me. I pull on my wrist, but he doesn't release me.
“Let go!” I snap. What is wrong with me? I keep digging myself a deeper grave.
He smirks but doesn’t look mad at all. In fact, that smirk looks way too hot on him, and that’s the last thing I should be thinking about right now.
“Take the necklace,” he tells me. “I know how badly you want it.” His voice is a deadly purr.
I lick my lips and reach up with my other hand to take it from him. When my fingers wrap around it, he lets it slide into my grasp, then pulls me into him.
My body slides easily across the leather seat as he presses his mouth onto mine in a kiss that leaves no question about who’s in charge here. His hand goes to the back of my head to make sure I don’t try and pull away. To be honest, the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. I find myself pressing my lips against his. My first kiss, my first taste of a man.