4
The air in Barcelona's Romano estate was thick with anticipation.
Lina stood in front of a large mirror in her lavish suite, her reflection staring back at her with cold, calculating eyes. She was putting on the crimson dress, the fabric flowing like liquid fire, its design accentuating every curve of her body. Her hair was arranged in an intricate updo, a few loose strands falling around her face. She looked every bit the part of a daughter of the cartel. Beautiful, poised, untouchable.
But inside, a storm was brewing.
Tonight, she would formally meet the man her father had chosen for her. Dominic Romano. The devil with a smile. She had no illusions about this marriage, about what it would mean for her—and she certainly wasn't foolish enough to think she had any choice in the matter. But she wasn't going to play the docile bride, either. If Joaquín thought he could control her through marriage, he was about to learn the hard way that his daughter was not as easily tamed.
Lina turned away from the mirror, taking a deep breath. She was ready for whatever this was going to be. She had to be.
---
The grand dining room of the Romano estate was a picture of opulence—crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, long tables draped with white silk, and fine china arranged in impeccable order. The soft golden glow of candlelight illuminated the room, casting long shadows on the marble floors.
Dominic stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding. He wore a tailored suit that seemed to swallow the light, his dark eyes trained on the door as if he were expecting her. His demeanor was that of a man who knew exactly what he wanted, and right now, that was Lina Morales.
The door opened, and there she was.
Lina entered with a grace that caught the attention of both the maids and even Dominic. Her gaze didn't falter as she walked toward the table, the room falling silent as she passed. She wasn't nervous—not in the slightest. But there was something about the way Dominic looked at her, his sharp gaze lingering on her every movement, that made her pulse quicken.
"La noches, Catalina." Dominic's voice broke through the tension, smooth and controlled. "You look stunning in that dress."
Lina forced a smile. "Thank you, it was a present from my brother... one he sent me before he..." she paused, her expression turning grim.
Dominic noticed her change in tone and quickly changed the topic. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't grace us with your presence."
Lina stood a few feet away from him, standing tall, her chin lifted high in defiance. "I'm not one to make an entrance like a guest at a charity gala. I believe I was promised dinner, not a performance." she said sharply, having already recovered.
Dominic's lips curled into a half-smile, the type of smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I can assure you, you'll get both. But it's not the meal you'll be savoring tonight."
Her eyes narrowed, the challenge in her gaze unmistakable. "Is that so?"
He gestured to the seat next to him, the chair positioned just perfectly for her to sit at his right side, as if he had already planned it. "Please. Join me."
Lina hesitated for only a moment before sitting down, her movements calculated and deliberate. She wasn't about to make this easy for him, not when everything in her screamed that this was just the beginning of a war neither of them was ready to fight.
The moment she was seated, the meal began. But it wasn't the food that kept her attention; it was Dominic, his every move, his every word. His presence filled the room in a way that no one else's could. He wasn't just a man in a suit—he was power personified, and there was a coldness to him that seemed to mirror her own.
"I must admit," he said as the first course was served, his voice low, almost teasing, "I had heard much about the daughter of Joaquín Morales. But seeing you in person... it's even more impressive."
Lina raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Flattery doesn't work on me, Mr. Romano."
He studied her for a moment, his gaze intense. "It's not flattery if it's true."
She looked away, momentarily distracted by the wine glass in front of her. The rich red liquid swirled in the crystal, catching the light, but her thoughts were far from the glass in her hand. She was here, in this luxurious estate, with a man she had no choice but to marry, a man who could just as easily be her enemy.
"You know," Dominic continued, his voice smooth, "I've done my research on you, Lina. Your father may think he has the power here, but I know things. Things that could change everything."
She met his gaze again, her heart rate quickening, but her voice remained steady. "What things?"
Dominic's smirk deepened, a flash of something dark in his eyes. "We'll save that for another time."
Lina didn't flinch. "I don't trust you."
He leaned back in his chair, eyes never leaving her. "You don't have to trust me. I just need you to understand something. This... marriage, this alliance—it's not about trust. It's about survival."
Her lips parted slightly, surprise flickering in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a composed expression. "Survival. Is that what you call it?"
He nodded slowly, as if his words were calculated. "Your father may think he's in control, but the truth is, he's playing a dangerous game. And I'll be damned if I let him take us all down with him."
The words hung between them, thick with meaning. Lina didn't respond immediately. Instead, she took a slow sip of wine, her mind racing. Dominic was no fool. He knew her father's empire was crumbling, just like she did. But the question lingered: Why had he chosen to involve her in this? Was it really for the power, or was it something deeper?
She set her glass down with a soft clink, her eyes locking with his once more. "Would you care to elaborate?"
Dominic smiled. "I would... but not today." he muttered. "Today, we celebrate your arrival. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Lina frowned, this was the second time Dominic refused to answer her questions. "I won't be your pawn, Dominic. Not now, not ever. So whatever game you think you're playing, don't involve me. Cause if you do... you'll end up losing, to me."
Dominic's eyes flickered with a moment of something... respect. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "That's good to hear. Because in this world, Lina, there are no pawns. Only kings and queens."
She didn't flinch at his words. She wouldn't let him win this game, no matter what it took.
"To new beginnings," he added, his voice smooth, controlled. "And to the woman who will soon learn exactly what it means to be bound by fire."
Her eyes narrowed. 'Bound by fire'. She liked the sound of it, though she knew it was meant as a warning.