God Forgive Me, But She's Mine

Chapter 4

Ayla

The days crawl by, and the brooding cave-dweller remains as tense as a gun c****d back. We barely speak, which is probably for the best—any more than that and I’d be forced to pray three full rosaries asking the saints to pull this dark soul into the light.

I’m lost in that exact thought, whispering a mental Hail Mary, when I’m snapped back to reality by the appearance of a woman so flawless she could have stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. Tall, poised, and dressed like sin wrapped in silk.

“How may I help you, ma’am?” I ask, straightening my blouse, already bracing for the energy shift.

She gives me a look like she smells something unpleasant.

“I came to speak with El Cortez,” she says coolly.

“May I have your name, ma’am?” I press gently, matching her ice with sunshine.

She arches a perfectly sculpted brow, amused and mildly insulted. “I’m Alexia El Cortez.”

Oh. Oh.

“Well, ma’am, the gloomy being—uh, I mean, Mr. El Cortez—is in his office. Since you’re family, I doubt he’ll mind the interruption.”

That makes her laugh. Like really laugh. A full, melodic thing that sounds like it hasn’t seen daylight in weeks.

“You know what? I like you already,” she smirks. “It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t kiss my brother’s ass.”

“Mercy,” I mutter, blinking. “What’s this talk about ass kissing?”

“Honey,” she says, “I mean brown-nosing.”

“Oh,” I nod, as if that makes it better. “Well, between us, he’s a storm cloud with legs, but I’m still praying. Maybe my little saint can pull him out of the darkness.”

Alexia’s smile shifts into something softer, more curious. “You’re gonna need more than prayer, sweetheart. That man was born in the shadows.”

Before I can respond, the dragon himself emerges from his lair, looking like sin dressed in black—every step calculated, every breath heavier than it should be.

“What are you doing here, Alexia?” he says, voice like gravel.

“Well, hello to you too, sunshine,” she snaps. “I came to talk. Or do you think I enjoy your charming mood swings?”

“Say what you need to say. I don’t have time for you.” He turns and disappears back into the office like a magician dropping smoke.

Alexia rolls her eyes but looks pleased. “So grumpy. But don’t worry, I adore your secretary. I’ll be coming by more often.”

She struts inside after him while I sit there wondering what kind of twisted family dynamic I’ve just stepped into.

“My God,” I mutter. “They’re both clinically insane. But at least she’s not stormy like him.”

Eventually, she returns, cheeks a little flushed—maybe from the argument, maybe from winning it. With women like her, you never know.

“Ayla, come have lunch with me,” she says breezily.

“Oh, thank you, ma’am, but I don’t—”

“No ma’am business,” she cuts in, wagging a finger. “My brother’s gonna lend you to me.”

From inside the office, the devil growls, “Don’t bother me, Alexia. She has documents to review.”

Alexia turns, smirking. “Fine. If you won’t lend me your precious secretary, I’ll just stay here and annoy you.”

“For God’s sake—take her and get out of my sight.”

“Thank you, little brother,” she chirps, eyes gleaming with victory.

And just like that, I’m being dragged away by the stylish tornado in heels. Do these people think I’m office furniture?

We grab lunch. She talks a mile a minute, half her sentences borderline blasphemous, the other half dangerously addictive. I laugh more than I should. I like her. God help me, I really do.

And as if that weren’t enough, she invites—no, commands—me to come to a party this weekend.

Mercy. This woman is clearly on a mission to lead me off the righteous path. And I think... I might let her.

When we get back, she makes me promise again. And as I re-enter the dragon’s cave, I realize I’m not the same girl who left it.

Not entirely.