Falling For My Sister's Killer

Chapter 3: Entangled with wolves

Salsa

We rode in a car thick with tension and heavy silence. I looked out the window, watching the bustling streets of New York. The tall buildings became smaller and smaller as we drove past them.

This was my way of distracting my mind from the urge to look at his suffocatingly handsome face.

But even as I refused to meet his gaze, I could feel his eyes boring holes into the back of my head.

He’s found out now? What is he planning to do next? How did he even know?

A few hours later, the car arrived in front of a big golden gate that rolled sideways to grant us access into the avenue that had trees lined on both sides.

Heavily armed guards dressed in black suits stood in salute as we drove inside.

Once we reached the building, I was in awe.

The house screamed old money.

From the perfectly lawned grass. To the perfectly trimmed flowers. To the beautiful fountain that had a sparkling wine-like liquid rushing out of it. Pristine high walls. Maids who dressed exquisitely in their white and black milkmaid dresses.

Everything screamed power, elegance, and wealth.

The car door was opened for me by a guard. I scooped up my dress and walked out towards the entrance.

A tall man smiling widely approached me. He wasn’t dressed like the guards, and he had a striking resemblance to Damien’s father.

Damien’s brother? Was he back from his study abroad? No one knew what he looked like either. Not even me.

Before I could gather my thoughts, he engulfed me in a hug, “Welcome to the family, Samantha.” He said, breaking the hug. The way he said my sister’s name with a familiar edge sent a shiver down my spine.

I wasn’t sure who he was, but I managed to return his smile. “Thank you. I’m so glad to finally meet you.”

“Oh, we’ve met before. But I guess you’re just trying to act….accordingly.” He whispered. My brows pinched in confusion. “About the other night, you never came back. What….”

Night? What the f*ck is he on about?

He paused, his face morphing into a frown as he looked above my head. I squinted following his gaze. My heart sank as I found Damien towering over me from behind.

“Vincente.”

“Damien.”

They both spoke like they were forced to.

Damien walked to my side, lifted my hands, and kissed my Williamson pink star diamond ring. I rolled my eyes inwardly.

What a showoff.

Then he proceeded to place a protective hand on my shoulder as if establishing his boundary or asserting ownership.

“How convenient to find you here, seeing you missed my wedding.” Damien looked at me, “Our wedding.”

The two men stood in silent communication with their gaze fixed on one another. I was beginning to feel I was caught in the middle of a war about to break out.

Tension thickened between them. I was too amused to speak, just stood there watching Vincente clench and unclench his fists. His face mirrored restrained anger. Then he spared me a fierce glance before storming off.

“What was that about?” I questioned Damien as he steered me inside the house.

“Nothing you should concern yourself with,” He flashed a smile that only annoyed me.

“No one’s watching now, you can take your arms off me.” I snapped as soon as we stepped inside.

He didn’t argue, just removed his hands slowly.

“Be more respectful around me, and stop hugging everything you see in trousers, and we won’t have any problems.” He said in a stern tone.

“Oh. The world’s about to burn because the mighty Damien got jealous.” I said in a sickeningly sweet but mocking tone.

He leaned over my ears, his breath was hot against my skin, making my insides flood with goosebumps. “It’s too early to kill someone on your behalf.” He whispered.

“So what’s stopping you?” I clapped back softly.

He unleaned, and I could see an amused smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Tell Damien, why haven’t you reported me to your daddy yet? Is it guilt? Can’t sleep at night after what you did?”

“Guilt? Guilt is a bothered conscience, Salsa. Do I look bothered to you?” My palms balled into fists at his nonchalance.

Still, my body betrayed me. My insides ringing alarm bells and reminding me how wrong it was to fall for Damien.

“You coming or what?” I heard him again, and this time, he was already on the stairs.

I shook off the fog in my brain and walked behind him, keeping a healthy distance. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind still went back to Vincente and Damien’s little show earlier. Nothing made sense, and I also couldn’t think of a means to ask Vincente without blowing my cover.

“This is your room.” His voice pulled me out of my train of thought.

“Mine alone?” I asked, my insides feeling giddy. Not sharing a room is for the best. If I wake up to his face every morning, it’ll be the death of me.

“Don’t get too excited. My room is next door. I just can’t have you snoring next to me.”

“I don’t snore,” I said in a gruff tone.

“Get some rest. I will come to you when it’s time.”

“Time? For what exactly?”

He scoffed, tiredly as if I was stressing him. “You are more naive than I thought. Keep this up, and you may as well be walking around with a sign that says: I’m an imposter.”

“Insult me all you want. That won’t change the fact that I still don't understand you.”

“What do husbands and wives do on their wedding night?”

“Oh. That.” I muttered. “But what if the wife is not willing?”

“Part of this arrangement involves the wife producing an heir within a year. Unless she has a way of conceiving immaculately, like Mary of Nazareth. Then I suggest she be an obedient wife and fulfill her duties.”

Whatever, Damien. I won't be here that long. Once I found out who killed Salsa and tried to kill me? I enact my revenge, and I’m out.

I huffed. “Fine, suit yourself.” I walked away into my room and slammed my door.

I sank into the bed and then fell on my back. Tears brimmed at the corner of my eye as a wave of sadness washed over me. It was supposed to be Sam in this wedding dress. In this house. On this makeup that was thick enough to erect a house. When she was alive, she wouldn’t shut up about it. She loved my father's business, and we were targeted because of it. If she had just listened to me when I asked her to quit, she’d still be alive.

My heart wrenched, breaking into a million pieces. I felt a void inside me, one she used to fill. She was my only friend, and now I feel this shadow of loneliness bathing me with darkness.

The only way I can honor her memory is by bringing her killer to justice. The tears burned in my throat, tasting like acid and salt. I choked on my own sobs, my shoulders shaking in rhythm that I didn't know when I drifted off.

I had a dream where someone’s hands were running under my gown.

“Samantha. Sweetheart. Wake up!”

That voice. It was nowhere near Damien’s.

It sounded more like….

Vincente’s.

My inside screamed. ‘It’s not a dream.’ My eyes flew wide as I jumped out of bed, eyes shooting daggers at him.

“Relax, it’s just me. Everyone is asleep.”

I looked out the window, and dark clouds had covered the sky. The moon hung low, casting dancing shadows in the room. I turned to the clock. It was past midnight.

“What the f**k do you think you are doing?” I asked in an enraged tone.

He took several steps closer. Then smiled as if this was supposed to be normal. “Not another step,” I warned.

“Is this a new game? Because I’m liking it already,” A wry smile appeared on his lips, his eyes gleaming lustfully. In an instant, he grabbed me, trying to force his way to my lips

“Let go of me, you moron,” I screamed, biting his ear.

He winced, stepping back as he rubbed his ears. The moonlight reflected on his face, and I could catch glimpses of his anger and confusion. “Samantha? Why are you acting like this?” He arched his brows, while I breathed heavily like an angry lion. “Don’t dare think you can betray me and wash our plans down the drain, because you won't want the family finding out the evil you’ve been plotting behind their backs, and don’t forget that I can also ruin this marriage with just one video.”

I swallowed, sensing the threat in his voice. Still, confusion was simmering heavily within me. I had no clue what he was talking about.

He ran his hands through his hair. “You are beginning to get on my nerves, Samantha. But I’ll forgive you if you will be a good little w***e and pleasure me.” Bile rose to my throat in disgust.

He grabbed me again, but before I could take any action. Damien burst in, his eyes burning with fury. “Get your hands off my wife!”