Burn Loot

Chapter 8

The ballroom felt like a prison for Elena despite the glittering chandelier.  Every clink of a champagne glass, every polite smile, just tightened the invisible chains she felt placed on her by Alejandro.  She had tried to escape his grip, as his fingers rested boldly and possessively on the small of her back, knowing fully he would never let her go easily.

With a silky and firm voice.  “You’re tense.  Elena. Relax.”  Alejandro spoke.

She forced a smile. The feel of his palm against her spine made her skin crawl. She wanted to shove him away and scream that she would never be his.  But with his men blended in the crowd, she was surrounded as they were watching her every move.

Her eyes darted across the room, searching for an exit. She needs to leave now, because this might be her only chance.

At that moment, her gaze met Capello’s, her father.  He stood by the bar, watching her with guilt in his eyes and a drink in his hand.

 He knows. Something twisted inside her.

He knows what Alejandro is doing. He knows what kind of man he’s forcing her to marry.  And yet, he does nothing. He knows she despises every second of this moment.

She clenches her fists at her sides. She would save herself. If her father wouldn't do anything to save her.

“Elena.” Alejandro’s fingers firmly tightening on her waist.  “You haven’t said a word all night.”

She innocently tilts her head towards him.  “I’m just overwhelmed by all these; maybe a bit of fresh air might help.”

Alejandro studied her for a moment, assessing her with his sharp brown eyes, whether to allow her even that small freedom.  Then, he smiled.

“Go ahead, princesa,” he murmured.  “But don’t wander too far; I’ve got eyes on you.”

She nodded and slipped away. She felt the hammering sound of her heart.

Hiding the urgency in her steps, she wove through the party guests. Getting near the exit, she spotted two of Alejandro’s men standing near the doors.  Damn it.

Elena noticed a waiter carrying a tray of champagne walking by. She grabbed a glass, pretending to stumble while knocking the entire tray onto one of the guards.

 The golden liquid drenched his suit. He growled, “Watch it.”

Elena gasped. “I’m so sorry!  Let me get a napkin.”

There was already enough distraction. As they fumbled with the mess, she swiftly slipped past them, pushing through the doors, into the night.

The cool night air felt like a slap to her cheek. She had barely taken a breath before a familiar, icy voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Querida, going somewhere?”

Alejandro.

He stood leaning casually against his sleek black car near the driveway, as if he already knew she would try to escape.

 Opening the passenger door. ”Get in,” he said.

Elena took a step back. “I need to go home.”

“Here is your home now.”

“No, Alejandro.  I can’t do this anymore.”  shaking her head.

His patience snapped as he sighed.

Grabbing her wrist and pulling her forward. ”You don't have a choice, not even getting to decide,” he hissed.

Elena's instinct reacted; she drove her knee into his stomach, making him curse in pain.  She tore her arm free and ran.

Alejandro barked, “Catch her,” as he recovered quickly.

She felt her heels making it impossible to run fast enough as she ran into the dimly lit street.  A black SUV roared to life behind her, tires screeching.

She ducked into an alley, her breath ragged. She needed to reach Dino.

 Dino was in the middle of breaking into one of Sanchez’s safehouses across town.

His second-in-command, Sergio, picked the lock with practiced ease. The door clicked open, and the two men slipped inside.

 Dino’s eyes narrowed as he flipped through the stacks of documents spread across the desk.

Sanchez’s name was everywhere.  But he noticed his mother’s name appeared.

There were bank records proving that his mother had made regular payments to Sanchez before Dino's blood ran cold.

He saw proofs of payments. She was paying for protection.  From whom?  From Sanchez himself?. He clenched his jaw.

Sergio whistled lowly.  “Boss… this changes everything.”

He had to tell. Elena. Dino's grip tightened on the paper.

His phone vibrated. A text.

Elena: HELP ME.

Headlights blinded Elena as she sprinted onto the main road. Alejandro’s car skidded to a stop inches from her.

Stepping out with his lip bleeding from her earlier attack.

He growled, “I tried to be nice,” stalking toward her.

Elena grabbed the door handle, refused to be taken, yanked it open, and slammed her foot on the gas.

The car lurched forward, crashing into a streetlamp.

Smoke filled the air.

She tumbled out, coughing, but still alive.  She ran.

Behind her, Alejandro stepped out of the wreckage, grinning through the blood on his face.

He licked his lips.

“Oh, Elena…” he chuckled darkly.  “You just made this more fun.”