Crowned In Blood

Chapter 10

10

Marco

I woke up to the blaring sound of my alarm, my neck aching from sleeping in my car again. Rotating my head, I tried to work out the crick as I waited for Catalina to leave her house.

This had been my routine for weeks now, and while I missed the comfort of my bed, getting these few extra minutes to watch my vicious little queen were worth it.

Like clockwork, she emerged from the garage. It was barely past dawn, but the sun's rays were visible enough, shining over her dark brown hair, which cascaded over her shoulder in a single braid. Her dark green silk blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt showed off the shape of her beautiful thighs and delicious ass.

Images of bending her over her desk, wrapping that perfect braid around my fist while I thrust into her flashed in my head. Her ass would provide the perfect cushion for my hips.

The sound of our bodies slamming together, the sounds of her moans…

Fuck. The vision sent a shiver down my spine and had my cock hard as a rock.

I'd wanted her before our dinner, but after last night I craved her. I couldn't get her out of my mind. The way she had a sarcastic comeback for everything I said.

She had a quick wit, was incredibly intelligent, and a fucking delight to be around.

And when she put her pasta and chicken in her mouth and let out a little moan, it drove me crazy. I wasn't even sure she knew she'd made the sound, but I'd heard it. The melody, tied with the explosion of pleasure on her face, stuck with me.

I would have done anything to experience that again. I nearly begged her to let me eat her out on the table right then and there.

I was addicted to her, and I never wanted to get clean. She was in my veins, exactly where she belonged.

Catalina was almost back in the garage when I picked up my phone and texted her.

Good morning, Catalina.

She took out her phone without missing a step, read it, then rolled her eyes.

I grinned.

Did you just roll your eyes at me?

Catalina glanced around, but she didn't appear panicked, simply watchful.

Where are you?

We just saw each other last night. Are you missing me already?

She scowled.

Not in your wildest dreams.

She huffed, making me laugh.

Then she got into her vehicle and pulled out of the driveway. I waited until she was completely out of sight, then left to head home, change my clothes, and prepare for the list of tasks I had to do today.

I stepped into the shower, the hot water cascading over my body, and sighed.

I’d just seen Catalina not even half an hour ago, yet I couldn’t wait to be near her again.

I kept thinking about her laugh, her lips, how plump and round they were, how it would feel to run my thumb over them before I'd kiss her.

How long would it take for my fantasy to become a reality? How long would she fight against the inevitable? My cock grew hard at the thought of it.

I wanted her to fight me. I wanted her to challenge me. I wanted to prove I was worthy of her and her heart. That I could and would take care of her. I'd rather sacrifice my life for her than ever hurt her. There was nothing I wouldn't do for my vicious little queen.

Closing my eyes, I envisioned her before me, felt her skin against my own. I could smell her scent vividly, as if she was right there in front of me, too tempting to resist.

I could have slipped inside her house last night. Her intricate security system wouldn't have stopped me.

What did she sleep in? Did she prefer a baggy t-shirt or pajamas? Or nothing at all? I moaned at how delicious she would look, naked and vulnerable to me.

I'd trail my fingers over her skin, her breasts, and farther down her stomach to her sweet pussy. She'd roll over onto her back, thinking it was a dream, as I spread her legs and fingered her, tasted her until she came all over my face.

My cock throbbed, and I was so lost in my fantasy of her, I fisted it and stroked myself.

Her voice when she said my name rang in my ears, over and over as I squeezed my cock.

I braced my hand against the wall as I pictured her eyes wide, mouth parted, body sweaty and shaky as I made her come again. She’d welcome me between her legs, letting me slide balls deep inside her, fucking her exactly the way I longed to.

She'd be so hot, so wet, so perfect , and I'd make her come. Once. Twice. Three times. More. I wouldn't stop until I'd rung every ounce of pleasure from her.

And when she thought she couldn't come anymore, I'd make her. Her moans and pleas would be the perfect melody as I rammed inside her cunt.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears, mixing with the water from the shower. I thrusted into my hand like a madman, completely caught in the illusion of her.

It was too much.

Stream after stream of my come hit the tile wall and floor. It was so intense I had to rest my forehead against the wall and lock my knees to keep from falling over.

I hadn't jacked off since I was a teenager. Yet here I stood in my shower, reduced to nothing, after having the most realistic vision I'd ever had about a woman who could barely stand to be in the same room with me. And yet I still couldn't get her out of my mind.

I caught my breath and cleaned myself before getting dressed in a suit ready for work.

I had Samuel scour the dark web for anything they could find on trafficked victims out of New York or nearby surrounding areas. I put out calls to my famiglia in Italy, making sure they alerted me to any trafficking news, especially involving American women. I also instructed them to conduct their own investigations into any famiglias there who might be in the market to buy.

At noon, I sent another text to Catalina.

Have you eaten lunch yet?

No, and I'm not eating it with you.

Hey, I'm doing you a favor by asking.

And why would you think that?

I smirked.

Based on our conversation this morning, you already missed me after we were only apart for a few hours. Who knows if you could handle a full day?

I chuckled, but I did actually have something to discuss with her.

I called, and she answered on the first ring. "Is it possible for you to actually leave me alone?"

"Of course not. I have information I'd like to go over with you on a few of the mafia families."

Her tone grew serious. "Do you think they're involved in trafficking?"

"I'm not sure yet. However, these are the families who have direct access to the port or border. Now, are you going to tell me what you want for lunch?"

She huffed, and I was almost certain she'd rolled her eyes again.

"I was planning on getting a chicken pesto sandwich from Jordan's Cafe."

"Got it. And what would you recommend for me?"

"Dog shit. Unfortunately, they don't have it on the menu."

I laughed, then heard her open what sounded like a drawer and flip through a piece of paper.

"Since you liked the steak last night, you might like their steak and mozzarella sandwich. They also have a mixed Italian meats sandwich."

Shock ran through me.

She remembered.

I'd honestly expected her to have hung up by now, but she'd actually thought about something I might like. She’d actually thought of me. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, and Marco, I let you get away with it last night, but this is not a lunch date."

"You're right, it's a working date."

"I hate you."

"If that's what helps you sleep at night," I said, smiling to myself. "I'll see you soon, Catalina."

When I arrived at Catalina's office, Olivia greeted me coolly, but didn't stop me from going back to see her.

Catalina looked up when I entered, then noticed the several bags and box I held and stood to help me. "What is all of this?"

I put everything down on a table, then pulled out a bouquet, a mixture of peonies, lilies, chrysanthemums, and dahlias. I knew nothing about flowers and had never seen Catalina buy any, so I didn't know what she might like. But the florist said these were her most popular ones this month.

Even if she doesn't like them, at least I'll know what not to buy her next time.

I cleared my throat, rubbing the back of my neck as I held the flowers out to her. "These are for you."

She froze, and when she finally took the flowers, her hands shook slightly. "Why?"

Because every time I see you, I feel honored to be in your presence and graced by your beauty, and I wanted to give you something beautiful in return.

"They reminded me of you."

She continued to stare at me, a dumbfounded look on her face. It would have been cute, but there was something else there. A panic she was trying to hold back, as if she was deathly afraid of what may happen if she released it.

"Do you not like flowers?"

"N-no." She cleared her throat. "I like them."

Yet she still didn't move, and the look of fear on her face didn't fall away. She trembled.

I wish you'd let me comfort you. But if I tried, she'd only push me further away.

I pulled out a glass vase to distract her. "Here. I got this in case you didn't have one."

She tried to nod, but it came out as a stiff jerk. "Thank you," she whispered, then she ran.

Dread filled my gut. What could have happened to her for this to be her reaction to flowers? What terrible memories had I just drudged up and how could I help her release them?

Doubting she was comfortable enough to speak with me about it, I began laying out the food, the sandwich she wanted, chips, a fruit salad, an assortment of bottles of juices, teas, and coffees I'd seen her order in the past, and a piece of chocolate cake, since she'd struggled to pick between that and crème br?lée last night. Then I laid out my food and threw away any bags I didn't think we'd need.

When Catalina walked back into the office, her eyes widened, looking from the food, to me, and back.

"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I bought a little bit of everything, and since you didn't pick the chocolate cake last night, I thought I'd bring you a slice today."

Catalina's hand flexed around the vase, her knuckles turning white. Her eyes narrowed, and she sneered at me. She'd never once looked at me with as much hatred as she was right now, like I was the enemy and she'd rip me apart if I said one wrong word.

"What do you want?" she bit out, rage radiating off of her in waves.

I rose to my full height and looked deeper , putting together the pieces of my vicious little queen that I'd learned so far.

Catalina had never run from anything. She always confronted her challenges head-on. She'd done so in the elevator when she thought I'd been working with her father. She'd done the same at dinner numerous times. Hell, the only reason she'd become the head of the Salazar Familia was because she'd constantly persevered.

She wasn't running from me. She wasn't being hostile toward me; it was to what I'd made her remember. She just didn't want me to recognize she was struggling, so she'd become defensive. That was the reason for her anger.

Right now, she was no different from a wounded bear or wolf desperate to survive another day. I had to show her I wasn't there to hurt her. But I wouldn't be able to fix this if she didn't give me a clue how.

Doing my best to keep my expression neutral, curious, I answered her question. "What do you mean?"

She waved a hand to the flowers, the table. "This is too much. No one would do all of this. Last night was one thing, but this? You want something from me. So tell me what it is and get out ."

She was right, of course. I wouldn't have done all of this if my only aim was just to help her find the children. We wouldn't even need to communicate, much less meet, if it wasn't about them.

She knew I wanted something from her. She reminded me of it constantly. So why now? Why did it bother her so much when I'd only tried to do something special for her?

Then it donned on me. She's never had anyone do something nice for her.

She'd been surrounded by people, and yet no one attempted to relate or truly celebrate her. Not a single person ever asked her how she was doing, much less showed even an ounce of care for her on her birthday. They simply pushed their agenda on her, then dismissed her entirely when they were done.

And now that she ran her own familia, there were dozens of heads attempting to court or pressure her into an arranged marriage to seize control.

That was why she suspected me now.

Gifts, putting in thought for someone else, doing something as simple as picking up flowers—she didn't know how to deal with any of that because she'd never received it in the past.

But she would.

I'd make sure of it.

"Do you really want to know why I'm doing all of this?"

"Yes," she said in a bitter tone.

"Because I want to eat lunch with you and get to know you, so that when you look at me, you see someone you can rely on instead of someone you may have to kill." I took a deep breath. "I want to help you find the children. I want you to succeed in every endeavor you go through, and I want to be by your side while you do it."

Catalina stared into my eyes, her gaze intense, searching for something I hoped she'd find. After a moment, she looked away and placed the flowers on the windowsill. But when she stroked one flower delicately, her fingers shook.

"I'm sorry if I offended you," she said softly.

"You didn't. But should I not get you flowers in the future?"

She paused, then her shoulders slumped slightly, and she sighed. "No, thank you for getting them. They’re beautiful."

Relief washed over me, but I needed to know more. I needed to push and find out how to avoid this in the future. But I couldn't ask her directly.

"Do you have a favorite flower?"

She shook her head, walking back to the table. "I've never actually received flowers before."

She sat down, and I joined her, but she wouldn't look at me. Then she bit her lip and continued, "Whenever we had flowers at home, it meant my father was going to demand something from me. I would need to play a part for him, and if I didn't, I would be… punished ."

Her face darkened at the word, and my heart broke. I wanted to kill him, to dismember him. Take everything he treasured away from him.

He should have offered my Catalina the world. Instead, he was her worst nightmare.

Clasping her hands in her lap, she squeezed them tightly, then finally peered up at me. "When you gave me the flowers, it took me back there. I know you want something from me and I don't trust you… but you didn't deserve the way I treated you just now. I shouldn't have reacted so strongly. I'm sorry."

I wanted to reach across the table and hold her, to tell her it was all okay. That I'd never hold her past against her. That she was safe with me. But I couldn't say any of that yet.

That was the hardest thing about all of this. The yearning, desperate craving inside of me to be near her, to protect her, and knowing she wouldn't allow me to. If I pushed too hard, she'd only pull away.

Instead, I did what I always did when I was around her like this. I smiled at her. "There's nothing to be sorry about. Although I am happy that for once you acknowledge you misjudged me."

"Don't get used to it." A hint of a smile tugged at the side of her lips as she dipped her head before browsing the different cups of coffee. She stopped at one, and the smile fully blossomed before she took a sip.

"Is that your favorite?" I nodded to the cup in her hand.

"I like the others too and get this one sparingly because of all the sugar, but yes, it's my favorite. And since I snapped at you earlier, I'll act like it isn't incredibly suspicious that you somehow have all the different types of coffee I've ever ordered from Jordan's Cafe."

I grinned.

Mocha Frappuccino, but sparingly because of the sugar. Remember to write it down in her preferences document.

"Can I get it for you again?"

She tilted her head to the side. "Something tells me you don't just mean the drink."

I chuckled. "It excites me how quickly you're getting to know me."

She rolled her eyes.

I relaxed back into the couch with my own cup of black coffee. "What's it going to be, Catalina?"

She took another sip and side-eyed me. "Does it really matter what I say, when you're going to do whatever you want?"

"Humor me."

"I won't turn down free coffee." She gave me a small smile and my heart skipped a beat.

We spent the rest of the meal mostly in silence. I paid attention to the things she picked up, like the triple cheddar truffle chips, and noticed that when we were cleaning up, she put the mixed berry tea on her desk.

I handed her the paper files and a USB copy of the intel I'd collected.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I also have several searches going on regarding each family, port access, if there's anyone on the US Coast Guard that could have been paid off, or within one of the Italian famiglias. When I find something, I'll be sure to let you know."

I picked up my suit jacket, then paused at the door, turning back to her. "Think about what you want for lunch tomorrow."

She shook her head and laughed. "I should have known you couldn't last a day without bothering me."

"Of course not. I'd follow you to the end of the world just to do so."