Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series by Blake, Carina (ebook reader 7 inch txt) 📕

Once he sets the kettle on the burner, he brings out two cups and then begins to cut some lemons. “You’re a saint,” she says.

“Where’s Maria?”

“She’s working in the greenhouse. Things will work themselves out.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll leave you, but if you need anything, just hit the button.” I’ve gotten used to paging them over the past month. Still, right now I don’t want to get any of the staff in trouble.

“Actually, we’re going to take the tea in the garden.” It’s October, but the weather’s still great out.

“Then I will bring it to you.”

“You don’t have to do—” I throw my hand over my mouth and then run to the cabinet and pull out the trash can, releasing my lunch, heaving painfully.

“A wet towel,” my mother-in-law calls out. Seconds later, I’m being walked to the table and helped into a chair.

“Thank you. I don’t know what came over me.”

“I have a feeling,” Maria says, walking into the room, sharing a knowing look with my mother-in-law. “I think you need this.” She hands me a small rectangular box. I’m afraid of the answer. If I am, will Victor believe it’s his? He’s been acting like an asshole for weeks after accusing me of trying to run away.

“Excuse me.” I take the box and walk into the bathroom that’s off the kitchen hallway. I turn the water on to trick myself into peeing and then open the box. Seconds later I’m able to pee on the stick. After washing up, I lift the little stick and the answer is clear as day. I’m pregnant.

It takes five minutes for me to work up the nerve to leave the bathroom. When I do, his mother pulls me into her arms. “Come have some tea. It’s going to be okay. There’s something I should share with you.”

I nod and then we walk out to the garden where Geraldo has set up the tea. I see Hector standing around while playing on his phone. “Don’t worry. He’s just standing guard. Now—there’s something I need to tell you about my past. No one talks about it because it’s not good. My husband and I were an arranged marriage for rights to the vineyard. I was exchanged, traded, but it wasn’t my husband’s wish. He wanted a life that didn’t include staying faithful, and he made sure I knew of all of his affairs. Victor and Hector have six half siblings. They hated what their father did to me and to them, parading women around the boys all the time. Victor promised that he wouldn’t be like his father, but most of it he couldn’t avoid. I know how you two met. I know that he bulldozed through your world and dragged you across the ocean to be his wife, but he’s not his father. His motives are selfish, but they are done because he cares. You can leave, but I don’t think that will stop Victor. He’ll come looking for you across this earth.”

She sees her son with rose-colored glasses as most mothers do, but he doesn’t love me. I’m just a toy for him. I don’t know if my heart can handle that.

13

Victor

I regret having to leave again, but I won’t have that prick try to steal my woman, and in public as well like he has no fear of me. If there weren’t any children around, I would have put a bullet in his head on the spot. His disrespect that everyone in the market witnessed is beyond profoundly fucked up.

“Come on. Let’s get this over with so I can come back and deal with my wife.”

“The guys caught him before he pulled a mile down the road. Not a soul would blame you for that betrayal. His vehicle has been taken back and will be stripped after it’s searched.”

“I wonder if it’s just my wife he was after, or if he’s working for the other families. I’ll get my answers one way or another.”

He nods, turning into our own private road that leads to my meat processing warehouse. I haven’t had to use it in over a year for anything other than livestock, but I suppose it could use a thorough wash and rinse.

Fernando waits in the truck, doing a check of the area while Juan and Marcelino follow me into the secured warehouse. Felipe is standing guard with Vicente tied to a chair waiting for his fate, which I promise is coming soon.

“Oh, what a big man. You had to use your men to get me. Too weak to do it yourself.”

“You’re a bold motherfucker, but why would I waste time dealing with you when I’d rather be balls deep in my wife?” He visibly angers, face red, jaw taut.

“You touched my wife,” I snarl, snatching a handful of his hair and slamming his head backward with a forceful thud. The fact that he put his grimy fingers on my beloved queen pisses me off, and knowing that she would have been mauled by him if I didn’t get there fast enough sends my blood boiling.

“She’s not really your wife. She’s your prisoner. She deserves a better man who won’t treat her like a whore.” This motherfucker has a death wish.

“And you think that’s you?” I ask with a laugh, causing his face to sour. I let go roughly, making his head bounce. I want to rip the fucking thing right off, but I need more from him.

“Dove’s better with me, and she was putty in my arms right now. She can’t wait to escape your cage. You can kill me, but it doesn’t change the truth. You treated her like a prostitute, and that is all you’ll ever be to her. Her John.”

“Don’t talk about my wife like that.” I nod, and my men untie him from the chair, but secure the rope tight against his wrists and hang the braided rope on a large meat hook and slowly begin