Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
“Look,” Melody whispered, nodding toward a darkened corner by the double doors. I blinked and focused, finally noticing the man I’d completely missed, blending seamlessly into the shadows. He was dressed in simple suit pants and a plain button-down, but there was nothing plain about the intensity in his stance.
My eyes drifted to the other corner, and, sure enough, another man was standing there, looking both bored and at full attention simultaneously.
As we approached, they turned their heads in unison, stepping forward in perfect sync to open the doors. The moment we stepped through, I realized how deliberately every part of this place was designed to impress, intimidate, or both. The room we entered was expansive and luxurious, with plush seating, elegant lighting, and an unmistakable air of exclusivity. It wasn’t just the opulence that struck me—it was the realization that this wasn’t just a nightclub. This was Mateo’s domain, a place where deals were made, and people were either valued or dismissed by a single word from him.
The walls were adorned with dark, textured wallpaper, and the dim lighting cast long shadows that accentuated the opulence of the space. Plush, oversized sofas in a deep, luxurious shade of black velvet were arranged around a sleek, low-slung coffee table made of polished onyx.
The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and the faint but unmistakable aroma of smoke, mingling together in a heady concoction that felt almost intoxicating. The ceiling was adorned with an abstract light fixture that looked like shattered glass caught mid-explosion, casting fractured beams of light across the room.
Shelves lined the walls, displaying an array of crystal decanters, each filled with rich, amber liquids that gleamed under the soft glow of the lights. In the center of the room, two women, topless and wearing only bunny-tailed thongs, moved in tandem around a polished chrome pole, their movements synchronized and almost hypnotic. Another two women, fully clothed but just as striking, lounged on one of the sofas, their eyes occasionally drifting to the men surrounding them.
On the coffee table sat two diamond-encrusted platters of cocaine.
Some had clearly been indulged, as evidenced by the smudged remnants of a few piles. The scene was one of excess wealth, a clear indication that nothing was off-limits here. Despite the distractions, my eyes were drawn to a familiar pair that stood out—Mateo’s. His gaze was locked onto mine, unwavering and intense, as if daring me to look away first. The corner of his mouth quirked up into a half-smile, a gesture that felt both reassuring and ominous at the same time.
He stood up and approached us, his presence commanding the room. He was dressed differently than earlier, looking like a GQ image come to life. His tailored suit was impeccable, every detail perfectly in place, and his hair was slicked back with precision. As he reached us, everything he had done to me earlier came flooding back.
"You look absolutely stunning," he murmured, taking my hand in his while leaning down to place a kiss on my cheek.
His hand felt like a brand, marking me as his in front of everyone. He then turned to greet Peyton and Melody; his tone was friendly but with an underlying authority that made it clear who was in charge. After exchanging pleasantries, he introduced us to the others in the room.
“This is my brother Elias and our cousin Sergio,” Mateo said as I settled into the luxurious space. Elias grinned at us, the resemblance to Mateo uncanny. He had the same dark, brooding features, only with a slightly boyish charm. His clean-shaven face and lighter eyes gave him a softer look, but there was no mistaking the family resemblance.
Sergio, on the other hand, was bulkier, with striking green eyes and a more rugged appearance. A lithe blonde was seated beside him, engaged in a game of bones with Elias.
“Ah, Elena, the beautiful new woman in my brother’s life,” Elias remarked, his grin widening. “I’ve been waiting to meet you.”
I couldn’t bring myself to lie that I felt the same, and I could tell that was exactly the right response with him--none at all. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes, one that matched Mateo’s in a way that was both endearing and unsettling.
“Next, we have Teddy and Diablo,” Mateo continued.
Diablo looked like he could bench press tanks for fun, his muscles straining against his suit, while Teddy’s appearance lived up to his nickname—a bear of a man with long hair tied back, a soft yet dangerous air about him. Mateo’s final introduction was for a man who had been watching us with keen interest the second we stepped in. “And last but not least, my cousin, Angel.”
This man’s gaze was sharp, assessing, and I could immediately sense that he was just as dangerous as Mateo, if not more so. The name rang a bell—Angel Escuro.