CHAPTER SIX

The room was huge, there were probably around fifty to seventy members already inside, but we could possibly fit another hundred or so men in here. The tables and chairs were pushed to the sides as the men gathered directly in the centre of the room. I say men because I was literally the only female in this room right now.

Roaming my eyes over the crowd I searched the room for any sign of the Garcia’s or my brothers. I strained my neck and leaned forward on the tips of my toes, it was extremely hard for a woman of a petite size like mine to see past the sea of many tall men but eventually My eyes landed on Lucien’s, a smile flicking at the corners of his lips.

Relief washed over me at the site of him, he was unknowingly my comfort blanket and if there was any time that I had needed one it would be now. I made my way over to him, James clearing and guiding me through the crowd of men, I was not ashamed to admit that I would never successfully reach Lucien in a room full of so many tall and big boned men without the help of a strongly built male.

Lucien reached out, taking a hold of my hand in his and pulling me into his warm embrace. The scent of his cologne enveloping me as he wrapped his arms around me just like a blanket. A content sigh passed my lips as I relaxed into the warmth and safety that was Lucien. 

"What's wrong?" He asked softly, soothing me with comforting strokes to my hair. 

 “nothing” I mumbled into his chest. He didn’t need to know of my encounter in the kitchen nor the one I had with James straight after.

He hummed in response allowing me to publicly cuddle him, to which he had seemed to have no objections too.

I pulled back figuring a display such as this was classed as affection and was not supposed for the eyes of the employed. Although I had intended to create the distance Lucien tugged me back with an arm around my waist. I looked up in confusion to meet his eyes as he searched mine for what I assume was an explanation to my sudden need to be held by him.

“Are you sure that you are alright?” he asked with a worried frown. I smiled, he was genuinely concerned and although it eased my inner turmoil to have him hold me and engage with me like this there was no way I could ever tell him. For one I wouldn’t know how he would react to the mention of Nicolas’s name. and two? I know exactly how he would react to the news of a shared kiss between James and me. 

“I'm fine I promise" I lied, seemingly successful at sounding somewhat convincing. I honestly don’t know how it had sounded, but considering I was a terrible liar I had almost convinced myself.

 He didn’t look as convinced as I had hoped but to my relief, he didn’t dig deeper instead placing a delicate kiss to my forehead before pulling away.

The lack of his warm touch instantly noticeable across my now goosebumped covered skin. I watched him, my eyes following him as he made his way to stand with Marcel, Diego and Lorenzo, who I was now aware were standing patiently waiting to start the meeting. 

 With all four of them standing side by side they really did give of this intimidating, strong and powerful vibe. Not wanting to hold up the meeting any longer I followed suit taking my place upfront, standing in the specifically appointed spot to the side of the four where I was visible to everyone’s eye. my bodyguard standing closer than necessary whilst making sure all men follow the rules in keeping a certain amount of distance from me. 

I zoned out of the exchange between the bosses and their men. Completely distracted in my own little world of how fucked up my life was really becoming and before I knew it the meeting was over. 

With the pile of documented deals needing proofread I decided my office will be my next stop. It's better to get it out the way because if I was to leave it too late, I'll just receive another lecture from Lorenzo on how important my job of sorting paperwork is to this business. 

I motioned to James that I was ready to leave. He usually was given strict instructions to not leave my side for the rest of the day. I'm not sure why that was, I never questioned it. I guess I liked the company whilst it lasted. Luckily, we had managed to make a swift exit and successfully stomped out the short distance to my office.

I approached the door and halted as the blonde James was with earlier came speeding towards me with a furious look slapped on her face. 

"YOU" she pointed her freshly manicured finger in my direction. 

"You stay away from my boyfriend" she snarled, with so much hate directed at me. Hate I didn’t deserve. At least I don’t think that I deserved it, did I? 

I looked towards James silently asking what the fuck this one was blabbering on about, he looked just as clueless as I was, if not more by her little outburst. 

"Hey, enough" James demanded placing his hand on her arm in a comforting gesture. 

She shook her head, still aiming her finger in my direction. 

"He is not a toy, you know I watched you both when you left the kitchen" she spat "You will not force him to fuck you like you had forced Nicolas to do, do you understand me" she shot her crazy delusion at me. 

I was in utter shock at the actual nerve of this woman. How she can hear gossip and repeat it Asif if it was the truth. I liked Nicolas, He was sweet and kind. I honestly and wholeheartedly really cared for him, and he cared for me.

I feel bad enough as it is that he had suffered the way that he did by Lucien's hands. Why did she assume I had slept with Nicolas, or James for that matter? I really couldn't understand why these people think of me in the way that they do.

“Why him? Will Lucien no longer give you the light of day? you are nothing but a worn-out unwanted whore” she pulled the last straw from the pile that sent me over the edge. And before I even knew what I was doing I let my anger and rage take control of my irrational mind. 

I'll give this bitch what she wanted.

I'll give everyone something to fear.

Ill remind them that they are dealing with a fucking Valdez. 

I pulled my gun from its belt and without hesitation I aimed it for the woman in front of me. not only did her eyes grow wide but so did his Asif neither of them had expected such a reaction from me. Who could blame them? This was not something I would usually do, this wasn't normal for my character. 

"You dare disrespect me" I spat with venom, using my anger as a front mask. 

She didn't move, she was still firmly standing her ground. 

Her eyes were sizing me almost curious before She began to giggle.

What the actual fuck? This dope giggled while someone held a gun directed at her. She has serious fucking issues and one was now me. if I had felt disrespected before, right now I was humiliated as she only added fuel to a darkness I had never felt before.

"In my office NOW" I demanded switching the aim of my gun between the pair as I gestured for both her and James to enter my office.

James wasted no time hesitating and pulled the blond-haired woman by her arm without a word.

I closed the door. Following behind as I urged them towards my desk. 

"Sit" I waved the gun from the blonde to one of the white leather chairs in front of my desk.

"No" she scoffed "Should you even have a gun" She scowled as if the idea was ridiculous. It probably was, I mean I feel way out of my depth here. 

But the dis-respect, the dis-re-fucking-spect. I was far from in the mood for her resistance or back chat so with a firm grip to my right hand I smacked the dickhead across the side of her head with the handle of my gun. 

She screamed out a cry of pain, her body automatically crouching forward as she clutched her head in her hands.

Holey fuck! Did I actually do that? Shit, I actually did that.