Crowned In Blood

Chapter 25

25

Catalina

Six months later

" I s that the last box, ma'am?" the art handler asked.

"Yeah." I wiped my hands together, cleaning off the dust. "I think it is."

The man left, and I surveyed the empty mansion around me. It had taken a long time, but with Marco's help, I'd finally gone through every piece of Fernando's mansion.

We'd dug up files, USBs, old contacts, kill lists, accounts I didn't even know he had, the works.

Between the information we'd gained from Julianna, and the things we'd found here, it was enough to go after my father.

Simon had been forced to step down as a senator and was now under criminal investigation. His property had been seized, his bank accounts frozen, and the press had gone after him like a pack of wild hyenas.

His worst fear had come to life.

Losing his reputation, watching him fall from grace had been the best thing I could ever ask for. And once he went to prison, I'd make sure he died there.

The media hounded me to give an interview, and at first, I'd said no. I thought keeping my past to myself was better than sticking it out for millions to see. But Marco and Estelle reminded me that my voice deserved to be heard. So when I finally sat down with the interviewer, I didn't hold back.

I'd told them how Simon had threatened and abused me every day of my life. I made sure the world knew how terrible a father he'd been, how I'd been lucky to survive and escape him. Even insinuated I wouldn't be surprised if some of his associates were in on his illegal activities.

By speaking about my trauma, other organizations offered their services to me, and I'd been able to pass that assistance to those that needed it in my familia.

While the trafficked victims had gone home to their loved ones, it would take a long time before they were whole again. We'd been able to find several women sent overseas and brought them home—even Julianna's younger sister, Lilia, who was pregnant from one of her attackers—but there were plenty that were still missing.

Some women no longer had families or any way to support themselves, so after Marco and I had finished searching Fernando's mansion, I sold off his extensive collection of artwork and used that money for them.

They now had houses, clean clothes, whatever food they desired, and received a monthly check to make sure they could support themselves fully.

Naya had been a blessing with filling in the gaps on how to help the women and what to offer them. And Jo had given us information on how we could provide access for education and job assistance.

I hadn't asked her about the pill she’d given me or about any of the other oddities that day. She'd been there for me and supported me blindly. The least I could do was return the favor.

After all, without her, none of this would have been possible. If Marco hadn't been able to face Felipe with me that night, I would have died by Anthony's hands.

But even with all the good, there were times I worried about Marco, especially lately. He'd found out so much in such a short time.

After we made sure the women were safe that night, and went home, he'd held me as if some shadowed being would steal me away from him.

After I moved in, he seemed better most days. But sometimes his smile was tighter, not as bright as it used to be, as though Anthony's betrayal had darkened the way he saw the world.

There were a lot of reasons I wished I could bring that man back from the dead only to kill him myself, but with what he'd done to Marco? The way he'd dampened some of his joy? If there was an afterlife and I saw him in it, I'd rip him to shreds.

Marco kept himself busy, staving away the grief plaguing him, and over the last week, he'd been working especially hard, coming to bed late at night. But when I asked him if I could help somehow, he'd always tell me no and hold me tightly until we fell asleep.

Strong, tattooed arms wrapped around my middle, and I smiled. Speak of my devil.

He dropped a kiss on my neck. "Are we done?"

"Mhmm. The piece the art gallery picked up today is worth $1.9 million. There's a lot we can do with that money. And the closing is scheduled for the 24th."

"Have I told you how amazing you are?"

I shifted, turning back to meet his eyes. "How amazing we are. I couldn't have done any of this without you."

He smiled, and today it was brilliant, his dimples on full display. Then he kissed me. "Let's go get cleaned up, then. I have a surprise for you."

I sighed, melting back into my seat across from Marco in Le Jardin de Nuit. "That was amazing. The food is always incredible here.”

Marco's eyes warmed as he brought my hand to his lips. "Good. I'm glad you enjoyed your meal, because this place is now yours."

"What?" I shouted, my heartbeat thundering in my chest.

"Do you remember the first time we came here?"

"Of course I do… but Marco. This is too much. This place must have cost a fortune."

He chuckled. "You insulted my wealth then, too."

"Because you're always spending it on the wrong things!" I slapped his chest, but he grabbed my hand and kissed it once more.

"No, I spend it on things that will make you happy, and not only do you always enjoy the food here, this was the first time I ever heard you laugh. Did you know I thought you would stand me up that night?"

I smiled at the memory. "No, but I had a feeling when I saw you waiting outside for me."

"When you got out of your car, it felt like a dream come true. You, my vicious little queen, are all I've ever wanted. And all of this—" he waved around us "—is only a speck of what you deserve."

I couldn't fight him when he spoke like that, my heart just floated away, leaving me nothing more than a mess at his feet. I reached across the table with my other hand and held his. "Is this why you've been so busy?"

He hummed. "Only some of it."

"Some? Marco, what did you do?" I glared at him.

"You'll see."

When we left, Marco opened the passenger car door, then pulled out a slip of cloth.

I raised an eyebrow. "What is this for?"

He stepped closer, crowding me against the car. Then he bent down and whispered in my ear. "For a bad girl that won't stop asking questions. Now, are you going to behave, or do I need to punish you before giving you your surprise?"

A shiver raced down my spine, and if he hadn't piqued my curiosity, I would have kept being a brat to get my punishment. "Yes, Daddy," I whispered.

He growled, the warmth of his breath dancing over my skin. "Good girl." Then he tied the sash behind my head, picked me up bridal style, and gently placed me in the car.

I squealed at the sudden movement. But before I could say anything, he kissed me. A long, slow kiss, and with one of my senses taken away, it was even more intense.

Each caress of his lips on my own sent tingles through my body. His hands were warm and firm as he cupped my head.

I reached for him, my hands landing awkwardly on his back as I slid them around to his chest, but then he pulled away.

I pouted, and he laughed, then he buckled me in, gave me a quick kiss, and closed the door.

It was odd not being able to see.

Before I met Marco, being alone in the dark was the only time I felt like I could be myself. It was my safety net, but also where I relived the nightmare that was my life. It was helpful and hurtful, solace and terror.

I used to listen to footsteps to judge when my father would beat me. Now I listened for Marco's footsteps with excitement and anticipation, because being in his arms felt like exactly where I was supposed to be.

Marco had changed me for the better, and I didn't think I'd ever be able to find the words or actions to express the full depths of just how much he meant to me. But I'd try, for as long as I could—my whole life if I was lucky.

Marco slid in beside me, put the car in gear, then placed his hand on my thigh. Turning his hand palm side up, I scratched the center softly while he drove.

We never spoke, simply basked in each other's presence and the low music on the radio. While I didn't know where we were going, I knew we'd left the city. Lights blared brightly even with my eyes closed and the blindfold on, but they'd grown less frequent, until all that was left were the streetlights and occasional cars.

I wanted to ask him where he was taking me, but I didn't. Whatever he'd done and put so much thought into was for me . Still, my heartbeat sped up a little when we parked.

"We're here," he said breathlessly.

Is he nervous?

He squeezed my hand, and I felt for my seatbelt, taking it off while he opened my door. Then he scooped me up into his arms again, and I giggled, clinging to him.

"You know, if you took off this blindfold, I could walk and you wouldn't have to carry me."

He chuckled. "And who says I don't enjoy carrying you?"

"I'm just saying it would be more practical, plus your arms will get tired after a while."

"Lina, I bench press three times your weight to make sure I'll always be able to carry you, anything you want, and our future children, without a problem. Now respectfully, my vicious little queen, love of my life, master of my heart and soul, shut up."

I laughed, even as my cheeks heated, burying my head in the crook of his neck.

Finally, he set me down and guided me to turn before taking off my blindfold.

I blinked at the buildings in front of me. To the left was a guard station and parking. In the center was a row of houses and what looked like an eight or nine-floor building of… apartments? To the right was a large, four-floor beige building with flowers at the entrance and a sign that read "Welcome To The Studio."

"Marco? What is all of this?"

"I wanted to do something for the trafficked victims and their families. We've brought some of them home and set up housing for those that don't have anywhere to return to, but we had to rush everything. Some have parents that are older and need their own assistance, not to take care of someone else. Others need medical and psychological help. Several have missed years of school and will need support to get their GED. This—" he motioned around us "—is a place just for them."

He pointed to the rows of houses. "These houses are set up for the families. We have three nurses on call who can help with any type of care they require." He pointed to the tall building beside them. "These are condos. There's ninety condos, all over one-thousand-two-hundred square feet, fully furnished and ready for them to move in. And the studio—" he pointed behind me "—is their learning center. If anyone needs a therapist or medical attention, they can go there. If they want to exercise, there's an indoor swimming pool, tennis, volleyball, and basketball court, and a library. There are even instructors that we've hired—all women—to hold classes. They can be tutored here as well in any subjects they want to learn."

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I took it all in. This place… he'd built a sanctuary for our people. "How… how did you do all of this? Why…?"

His smile was radiant, dazzling, even with my blurred vision. "I had help. Naya and Jo gave me a lot to go over. This is what I've been working on, and as for why. Well…" He got down on one knee.

My hands flew to my mouth, and I took a step back, shock flooding through me.

What is he doing? He can't be. Is he…?

"I know how much your familia means to you, Catalina. I know you feel responsible for them and I respect that about you. But I don't just want it to be yours, or mine. I want it to be ours . I knew you were the one for me the moment I laid eyes on you two years ago. I didn't know how I'd convince you or what we'd go through, but what I did know was I wanted to go through it with you, together. That's all I want. You are all I need in this world. I love you, Catalina, and I'm asking, truly begging you, to give me the highest honor I could ever have. Marry me, please, my vicious little queen."

My entire body shook. But when his beautiful brown eyes filled with tears, I rushed to him. I threw my arms around him and collapsed as my knees gave way. He caught me, just like I knew he would, and I kissed him.

I kissed him over and over. I kissed his cheeks, his head, hugged him as tightly as I could.

"Please tell me that means yes," he whispered, his voice trembling.

"Yes! Yes, yes. Yes !" I kissed him again, and he grabbed me, tangled his hand in my hair, poured every bit of his love for me into our kiss, and I did the same.

When we finally broke apart, he took out the ring.

It was so intricate with a clear, large, black diamond sitting in the center of a white gold band, surrounded by smaller, clear white diamonds in the form of a flower. The smaller diamonds followed the band down until the middle in a beautiful pattern, while the sides had small, detailed scrolls.

"Do you like it? If not, we can?—"

"It's perfect, Marco. Just like you."

He grinned, and I gently wiped away the single tear that had fallen down his face, then kissed him again. "I love you."

"I love you too, Catalina, and I always will."