Chapter 22: Chapter 22

The man was skinny, his suit drowning his figure in a way that made me hide my smile behind my hand. It was a bit comical. With a glass of what was probably liquor in his hand, his eyes twinkled as they wandered from Jasmine to me.

“And who’s this beautiful young lady?”

I smiled cordially as Jasmine rolled her eyes.

“Fernando. I’m surprised you’re still alive.”

He glanced at her lazily, his body swaying like he’d had a few too many drinks already. “You can curse me to death, but I’m still kicking, baby.”

His eyes returned to me, and he winked.

My amusement deepened. I had no idea if he was truly drunk or simply swaying to the music. Either way, he was the most relaxed person I’d met tonight.

Jasmine swirled the liquid in her glass and mused, “A roach like you should be stomped to death, not cursed.”

I couldn’t help my chuckle.

Fernando looked at me with a coy smile and offered his hand. “Don’t mind her, pretty. What’s your name?”

I opened my mouth to respond when Jasmine quirked a brow and beat me to it. “You’re coveting Stefano’s woman? You’ve got some balls of steel on you.”

He was struck dumb, and his arm withered as it dropped to his side. His smile disappeared, and his lazy demeanor quickly straightened into a more respectful one.

“You’re Catalina?” he asked.

I nodded.

He smiled stiffly and ran a hand through his messy hair. “Apologies. If I offended you, please don’t take it to heart. It’s my nature.”

Jasmine snorted. “Your nature is flirting with anything that has a pussy? Really?”

He glared at her. “I don’t flirt with you.”

“You’re living within your means. Congratulations.”

I chuckled, admiring her quick wit.

Fernando rolled his eyes and looked at me pointedly. “Don’t mind her. She’s mad because I dated her friend.”

“You cheated on her too. Don’t leave that part out,” she rebutted.

He raised a dismissive hand. “To-ma-to, to-mah-to.”

Then he turned back to me and smiled brightly. “Catalina. Lovely name, by the way. I’m Fernando. I own a cleanup company under the Roscotto family.”

“Cleanup?” I echoed, my mind instantly straying to the worst possible scenarios.

He chucked, as if to confirm my thoughts. “We sell chemicals and other products, whatever you need to get the stains out. We also offer personal disposal deals, so feel free to contact me when there’s a body.” He pulled out his business card and offered it to me.

I awkwardly took it, a slight unease washing over me at the thought. Would I ever need services like that? The possibility horrified me.

I’d certainly come a long way from where I’d started.

“Let me introduce you to a few others.” He beckoned me toward a group of men and women talking near the center of the room.

Jasmine looped her arm in mine and pulled me forward. “Let’s go,” she said. “It’s a good opportunity to meet more people. Fernando may look unreliable, but he’s loyal to the Roscottos. It’s fine to trust him.”

I appreciated her looking out for me, but as Stefano had said, I couldn’t trust anyone but him in this place. Though, I couldn’t help but doubt him right then. His actions tonight had made me see that he didn’t fully trust me, so why should I trust him?

Jasmine and I followed Fernando, and he introduced me as Stefano’s intended.

Though I was nervous at first, half an hour later I found myself assimilated into this little band of powerful people. The conversation flowed well and allowed me to set aside my anger with Stefano, even if for just a moment.

I enjoyed Jasmine’s company. She was blunt and wasn’t afraid to say what needed to be said. I found it admirable.

“Have any of you heard of the Triad brothers?” Jasmine asked. “They were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison eight years ago.”

“Yes, I have heard of them,” I said in surprise, remembering the intense television coverage of their trial years ago.

They were triplets who were charged for brutally murdering their little sister’s rapist. The news blew up around the city, and many people sided with the brothers. Though it didn’t do them any good in the end.

“You heard about it?” Fernando quipped. “I’m not surprised. It was all over the news. Though I’m surprised the recent developments haven’t made it to the public yet.”

“What developments?” I asked. The last thing I remembered was the public outrage that the three brothers weren’t given a more lenient sentence since they were defending their sister.

“They broke out of prison,” Fernando said. And if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a gleam in his eye. “And the day after, their sister was murdered.”

“What?” I asked in surprise.

“Information was leaked,” Axel, one of Fernando’s men, chipped in. “Their sister was a lab tech who worked under the Volkov family. Whatever she was working on must have been dangerous, because after she was killed, the Volkov family burned down the entire lab.”

“They were trying to hide the evidence,” Jasmine said.

“It’s also why they’ve mobilized many of their men to capture the Triad brothers. It’s speculated that they killed their sister, and that they might have obtained information on what she was working on before they did it,” Fernando added.

“Everyone is looking for them.” Jasmine sighed. “It’s a manhunt, and all the families are involved. Even the Perez family. Everyone wants whatever information the brothers found.”

“Tensions seem to be running higher than ever,” someone else added. “We might have another major fight on our hands.”

Fernando crossed his arms. “Nothing to worry about. We’ll find the brothers first, and even if we don’t, there aren’t many who can challenge us.” He said it proudly, showcasing the utmost trust he had in the Roscotto family’s strength.

I didn’t have the same trust as Fernando. Stefano had warned me that becoming complacent got you killed. Anything could happen, and it was best to always stay alert.

Jasmine seemed to share my thoughts because she snorted as she eyed Fernando. “Your confidence amuses me. I’m curious. Do girls really find an idiot like you desirable?”

“Your friend sure did.”

Jasmine smiled tauntingly. “A mistake on her part. God knows how anyone can like a walking dead thrown into a suit.”

The group laughed, including me. Fernando glared at Jasmine. “Who pays you to talk?” he hissed.

“I pay myself,” she refuted, never to be outdone.

I placed a reassuring hand on Fernando’s shoulder, trying to calm the tension between the two. “Don’t worry. I know how to attract the ladies. Let me be your wingwoman.”

His narrowed gaze turned to me, but the curiosity in his eyes was blatant. “How?”

I tugged on his shoulder until I could easily whisper in his ear. My lips curled mischievously as I said, “Get a gym membership.”

I pulled back and laughed at the scowl he shot my way.

“You and Jasmine deserve to be friends!”

“Oh? Is that your blessing? Why, thank you.” Jasmine’s smile widened.

I linked arms with her, and both of us looked at him proudly.

Suddenly, my phone began to ring, and I rummaged through my purse to get it. I frowned when I saw the word ~Hubby~ flashing on the screen.

I was brought back to why I was out here in the first place. Stefano had kicked me out of the private room because he didn’t trust me. My hurt had long since turned into anger, and I swiped to decline the call. Not even a minute later, it rang again.

I declined again.

When it rang the third time, I finally picked up.

“Why did you decline my call?” He didn’t even greet me cordially, his voice laced with anger.

Though he had no reason to be angry. I was the one who was wronged.

“My finger slipped,” I replied. “Did you need something?”

The line was silent for a few seconds before he said, “What’s with the attitude? Did you forget my rules?”

His voice dropped low, as if to chastise me. But I held no ounce of remorse. Instead, I was irritated.

Rules or not, I wouldn’t accept him talking to me like that.

I stepped away from the group and hissed down the line. “Fuck your rules. Don’t talk to me as if I’m the one who’s wrong here. If you don’t trust me, you should’ve left me at home. Go and continue your little dick slinging party with your buddies. I’ll manage without you.”

“Catali—”

I hung up the phone and released a heavy breath. My heart thumped at the implications of my actions, yet I ignored it and rejoined the others.

Jasmine eyed me, seeing through my set expression. “You all right?”

I nodded and tried to tune back into their conversation.

My anger at Stefano burned in my chest, and I found it hard to focus on anything they were saying. I didn’t regret what I’d said to him. I didn’t care how angry he got either. He could kiss my ass.

The others seemed to notice my foul mood, but they said nothing.

A few minutes later, the conversation died down, and everyone’s gaze shifted behind me. I stiffened when I felt a hand on my waist.

“Excuse me, everyone. I’m here to collect my fiancée.” Stefano’s cold voice struck something in me. My body stiffened.

I gripped his hand and tried to remove it, only for him to tighten his hold on me. I glared up at him and was about to demand he release me when he roughly tugged me into his body and bent so his lips brushed my ear.

“Shut up and walk, Catalina.”