Punished (Calavera Hotels #1)

Chapter Forty Mireya

“To my family. My very reason for living,” Don Vicente says, and everyone lifts their drink in unison. Thalia grabs my drink before I can take a sip and downs it. I laugh at her. It’s been a few weeks since we were released from the hospital. Adrian took me back to his apartment, and I haven’t left since. Alma decided to take a trip back to California, to see her foster parents, after having a rough time with me being kidnapped and the anniversary of her mom’s death. I knew we’d have to have that uncomfortable talk about me moving out, but I didn’t want to add to her stress.

Before I left the hospital, I made sure to stop by Thalia’s room so I could thank her for coming for me that day. We were never the types for emotional apologies, and I’m sure any psychiatrist would say sweeping things under the rug was unhealthy, but our friendship would survive. I apologized for what I had said, but I didn’t need to explain or interrogate her about the rumors. People often think friendship means sharing every single secret of your life, but if you really care for someone, you also respect their privacy on matters they are not willing to share with you.

She and Alma have been treating me like a porcelain doll since they found out I am pregnant. Not even Adrian has been that protective of me. I still haven’t fully processed my mom’s death, and both of them have been there for me every time the waves of grief come up.

Patricio met with the leader of Los Peregrinos to establish a peace treaty and retrieve my mother’s body so I could hold a small ceremony for her. Gael helped me to find a therapist who could be trusted with the things I told her. She came from a family that was submerged in the cartel, and she has been able to not only relate, but also help me to process everything. My first session with Doctora Julia was last week, and it went well past the hour mark. I had admitted to her that my biggest fear was becoming my mother. There have been a lot of raw emotions. I find myself crying at the most random times. If I am this emotional this early in my pregnancy, I am afraid what I will be like in the months to come.

Adrian gives me that space to mourn my mother, despite everything she did to him and his mother. He knows that there is a very human part of me that misses her. I miss the version of her that I hoped she would one day be. A healed version, who would apologize or praise me the way I desperately wanted her to.

I look up to see Adrian, standing with Adan and Osiel at the other end of the venue. He has on an all-black Brioni suit that outlines the masterpiece of his body. I spend most mornings watching him work out just so I can see that chiseled body. Adan and Adrian are both quiet by nature, so Osiel is the only one talking. Adrian holds a drink in his hand, but never takes his eyes off me.

“Stop staring,” I mouth, and he flashes me a smile. The rare genuine one I have been seeing more frequently.

Everyone has come to celebrate Don Vicente. Soledad sits at a table with Patricio and Adriana. Adriana’s husband is warm and charming. Conversations are never dry with his stories and sense of humor. Enrique and Doctor Aguilar sit with their friends. There is live music and people are laughing and dancing.

Most of the room is watching as Ariella graces some man with the gift of dancing with her. She has not sat down since she arrived. Every time she moves to sit, another guy is asking her to dance. Each one tries to outdo the next with exaggerated dips and turns. She keeps up with every spin, her high heels gliding on the floor in perfect sync.

Her bodyguard holds Guapo at the table reserved for her and her brothers. The poor man looks like he is being tortured. The ugly dog sleeps in his arms. Axel is also on the dance floor, and I am wondering if each of the Reyes children has had private dance lessons, because even the few times Thalia dragged Adan out, he was an excellent dancer. Everyone is watching the Reyes siblings dance the night away, but I am staring back at Adrian.

He looks so handsome in a suit, his tattoos visible on his hands and neck. This pregnancy has me desperate for him to take me at any minute.

Adrian in a white tee. I’m Feral!

Adrian working out on the patio. I’m Feral!

Adrian in a suit. Feral! Feral! Feral!

The constant need to devour this man and let him claim me is unreal. Even before we left the hotel, I begged him to fuck me on the kitchen table. Looking at him, I realize something: it’s easy to love someone when you are lonely. When you are by yourself with nothing to hold on to, your mind will wander to the thought of them. Missing them. But Adrian and I can be in a crowd full of people and miss each other. Mere feet feel like miles to me right now. Some might say this is toxic, and I would agree. I’ll take toxic love over fake love. He sees all my flaws and loves me, anyway. I know his dark side, and I am willing to embrace it rather than run from it.

The band stops for a break, and the DJ takes over. “Oceans” by Karol G and Jessie Reyes comes on, and I watch as Adrian makes his way toward me. Adrian is not a fan of Regional Mexican music; he also dislikes Reggaeton, and he disgraces the entire state of Texas by refusing to listen to any country. I was sure he would not ask me to dance all night, so I’m surprised when he reaches out for my hand and moves me to the dance floor.

Adriana made a girls’ date out of dress shopping a few days ago and took Thalia, Ariella, myself, and even Soledad. Soledad and I felt awkward in the luxurious boutique, but Adriana made the experience comfortable with her hospitality towards us. She is humble, despite her fortune.

“Patricio will pay for all of this. Buy whatever you want,” she had said, and Thalia laughed harder than all of us. Adriana and Patricio bickered the same way Thalia and Adrian did. They protected one another with the same fierceness, too. It’s hard not to think of Cassiel when I see their sibling bonds.

I had settled on a glittery champagne backless gown, and Ariella helped me with my hair and makeup. Loose curls frame my face .

“You look so beautiful,” Adrian says as he pulls me up and walks me to the dance floor. I wrap my arms around him and we sway to the music. He pulls back slightly and brings my hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to it.

“What are you thinking, diosa?” he whispers into my ear.

“I’m thinking about how I could get used to seeing you in a suit.”

“I’m thinking this dress is too tight, and I am going to have to kill every man who is looking at you.”

“Do you ever not think of violence?”

“Not when it comes to you.” He looks at me and smiles. His classic mischievous grin. For a second, I think he’ll pick me up and move me to the penthouse to fuck me out of this dress. Instead, he moves back and lets go of me. He reaches into his pocket, and I almost lose my breath as I watch him drop to his knee.

The music fades out, and I can feel every eye on me. Adrian hates public displays of affection, which was great for my anxiety. Right now, I feel like I may pass out.

“Diosa, look at me.” I look down and meet his beautiful brown eyes. He slips a ring onto my finger. 18k white gold with an emerald-cut diamond. I don’t know much about designer brands, but I know jewelry.

“You are the only thing that brings me to my knees. Will you let me worship you for the rest of our lives?” I don’t have to even think about it before I am saying, ‘Yes,’ and he stands to kiss me as the crowd cheers. I would live this life and every one after with Adrian. He would always be mine.