Abigail's POV
"Just sign the damned document already!" Carter appeared desperate. My gaze met the uneasiness dancing in his dark black eyes. I regained my composure and met the paper with the pen in my hand, scribbling my signature.
I watched, bemused, as he took a deep breath and released it in one long, controlled exhale. Carter leaned in and took the papers, examining their contents closely.
"It wasn't hard, was it?" Carter drawled, putting away the document in a folder. The man from before crossed the room and retrieved the folder before exiting the room.
"No, you tell me. You must have a reason for having me sign those papers." I said. "What is your agenda?"
Carter beamed, I could only wonder what made him do that. "You've done your part, there's no need to snoop around."
I wanted to snap back but I recollected myself. I chose to bide my time and play along because Carter's intentions had been clear. "Okay, if you say so."
Carter's eyes dilated, obviously by my response and I didn't care either.
"Someone will come and cater to your needs. I'll be back by 7 pm. Be ready. The Godfather is hosting a family dinner. So by your position, you are obliged to be there. And please, don't embarrass me." With that, Carter left me to my thoughts.
Putting all the pieces I've gathered, I understood the situation, well, not fully but I've hit something. My father and Carter had made a deal, where I was the pawn and something was telling me that Carter had to make the deal because someone or something was on his neck.
But coming to think of it, Carter undoubtedly would have a lot of women at his service, he could simply just pick one and be done with it but why me? How do I come into this picture? My head began to hurt the more I thought about the possibilities. Like I had planned, I'll go with the flow until I find a way out.
"Miss, come with us." My spine stiffened at the deep, unexpected voice behind me. I turned to see two guards standing.
"Okay." I moved towards them with careful steps. The first guard moved out and I followed closely behind him, and the other one right behind. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and scared. They led me outside to a black Range Rover SUV, accompanied by other kinds like it.
I entered the vehicle and sat stiffly at the center. Rather surprisedly, no one joined me in the back seat, just the driver and a guard in the front seat. My body tingled as vivid images of the blockbuster movies I've watched in the past where the boss comfortably sits alone in his car, followed by his convoy, and all that bullshit.
'Get a hold of yourself. It isn't a movie, Abi.' I composed myself and shook the images from my head. At that same moment, I raised my head to meet a pair of eyes staring at me. Rodrigo.
"Madam." Rodrigo calmly said. Me? Madam? What's with the sudden change? Hours ago, I was kidnapped and tranquilized by some big-time cartel leader and now I'm bearing the title, Madam. Wow.
"Em, where are we going this time?" I asked, masking the fear in my voice.
"Your husband asked us to take you home and prepare you for dinner." Rodrigo promptly replied, I almost choked on my slobber. My head played off his response as a joke or slight mockery.
"My husband? Oh." I corrected myself. "Dinner it is, why?"
"For his meeting with the Godfather, his Father." That was all Rodrigo said before igniting the engine and driving off. Ice doused the heat in my veins when he said Godfather. Anybody who lived in towns and cities of Mexico knew the fearsome reputation of the Godfather, the Kingpin of all Mafioso especially in Sinaloa.
The Godfather is infamous for being deeply involved in drugs and violence plus other vices, and no one dared f**k around him on this turf or even outside. I didn't know if I was to be happy or crushed knowing that Carter was his son, and I was married to him, maybe unofficially since there hadn't been a proper marriage ceremony. So technically, the Godfather is my father-in-law.
...Shit. What have I fallen into? It was getting worse with every passing moment.
The car swerved smoothly into a narrow straight road leading to a mansion on a hillside. The mansion had the exquisite details and design of an English royal house. Large and neatly sculpted pillars with figureheads at their beams.
The terraced roofs evoke a sense of antiquity and mystery, while the fountain in front of the mansion exudes a contrasting ambiance. The warm glow from the luxurious bulbs casts a comforting amber hue over the entire compound, making me feel secure.
Upon entering the house, I was struck by the interior, which was a masterpiece. The spacious layout and meticulous design spoke of an artisan's passion. A magnificent golden chandelier adorned the high ceiling, exuding light and elegance throughout the expansive living room. It resembled something straight out of a New Times Magazine advertisement.
"You need a deep bath." Rodrigo shamelessly said, I bit my lips in embarrassment. "The maids will attend to you. Do what you need to do and be down here in 20 minutes."
"I only need 15 minutes." I bit back and left with the waiting maids. I needed a bath, my armpits had been leaving lingering reminders but Rodrigo needed to remind me. Screw him.
After a warm, relaxing bath, I felt like I was experiencing the luxury usually reserved for the wealthy. I took my time to enjoy it, but I also made sure to appreciate the experience. Once I was done, I dressed up in a formal, all-black outfit consisting of a denim suit and knee-high skirt. Instead of wearing a lot of makeup, I opted for a simple burgundy-colored lipstick with a touch of black liner around the edges. I felt put together and ready to go.
I met Rodrigo outside by the car that brought me here earlier.
He cast a glance at this watch. " 25 minutes and 46 seconds. 15 minutes it is."
"For chrissakes, I'm a woman," I said with a smug face. "Men could just zoom in and out, uncaring if they even took their time to scrub."
"Regardless, we still come out clean." Rodrigo's thin lips cracked into a minute smile. "After you." He held the car's door open for me.
I gave him a nod and climbed in. Rodrigo turned over and turned the engine up. I hated to admit it but I felt oddly close to Rodrigo in a brotherly manner over a short period. It was like Rodrigo became someone I could trust amid the wolves I was among. Well, he was a wolf no doubt but he was a wolf I could confide in.
He didn't affirm it but I could see that "You can relax and trust me" look in his harsh grey eyes. My instincts believed it even though everything screamed a big no.
"Where are the other cars?" I looked out through the rear window. I couldn't see far beyond as it was a dark gloomy road, with the car's taillight as the only light source.
"They departed earlier to the main mansion. You were late, remember?"
"Oh," I mumbled and shrunk back into my seat. Fear began crawling up my back, enveloping my bones with its cold embrace. The thought of meeting the Godfather is scary enough to make an adult wee.
"Relax and breathe, just don't do anything reckless. The Godfather is just like everyone else but just... different." Rodrigo assured, seeing my downtrodden countenance. "Be yourself and don't speak out of turn, speak only when he asks you to."
"I'll try...to relax." I squeaked. My breathing was ragged by the unknown fear that gripped me. "Thank you, Rodri."
"You're welcome, Madam," Rodrigo said with a smile, this time more genuine. No more words came from him.
My throat bobbled painfully as I tried to calm my flaring sentiments. At last, I recollected myself and sat still.