FIVE

Gabriella's POV

"—and then Darius came along to claim the proposal but I beat him to it and got the patent." Davis droned on

"Nice." I said half-heartedly

"Nice? I just told you how I worked hard during my travels and all I get is 'Nice'?" He turned to me annoyed that I was fawning over him like before.

"Sorry," I apologized with zero sincerity. "I'm just not interested."

"What do you mean by that?" He raised a brow.

"When will we reach your family house again?" I ignored his question, looking out the window.

"In a few minutes. But you haven't answered me."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm tired, Davis. You dragged me impromptu, the least you can do is leave me myself before we arrive."

"Maddy would have been more enthusiastic." He muttered loud enough for me to hear but I closed my eyes pretending to be asleep.

Just a week ago I would have launched into a series of questions and apologies because of that statement but now?

I wish Maddy all luck for dealing with his nagging ass.

Within ten minutes the car pulled into a massive compound.

I had only been to the Castillo family house once and that was over nine years ago. It looked so much bigger than what was in my memory.

The structure was tall and seemed to stretch through acres. A series of columns lined the entrance, Each one having intricate carvings.

Among our cars were several others meaning whatever was going on was serious enough for the whole family to gather.

Davis and I walked in with my hand reluctantly in his.

His parents waved us over and I put on a stiff smile as I greeted them.

"Davis, remember you have to be on your best behavior and impress him. Any wrong move can mean the end of our branch." Davis' father said with a serious tone.

His mom was also pale. Checking out clothes and patting her face. I looked around to see everyone in a state of panic.

Their energy affected me to the point my heart started beating fast out of nervous anticipation.

Before I could ask Davis about this uncle, a gong rang. Davis's parents walked towards the front of a large staircase and Davis dragged me along while the other family members followed behind.

The muttering abruptly stopped and I looked up to see a large man followed by two other men walking down the stairs.

As he got closer Davis's grip got tighter but I couldn't be bothered as the man came into view.

My eyes widened and my breath temporarily seized.

Davis's dad smiled and went forward.

"Younger brother. Welcome back home. Hope the journey wasn't too hard."

He got no answer as the man's gaze rested on me and didn't move. I couldn't tear myself away from it.

"Uncle," Davis pulled me forward. "This is Gabriella. My fiancee."

'Tigrotta.'

It was Mariano. The man that had taken my first time last night. The man that I ran away from because we were from different worlds.

He was my future uncle in law. Shit.

"Your fiancee?" His husky voice had amusement behind it.

I couldn't look at him. My eyes darted everywhere but him. I wished for the ground to open and swallow me whole.

"Boss, the meeting has been set." A man walked towards him.

He casually glanced in my direction then froze. Our eyes widened at the same time.

It was Vincent. Mariano's right-hand man. His presence just certified the fact that I wasn't hallucinating.

The silence that followed Vincent's frozen expression lasted only a second before Mariano smoothly looked away from me like I was nothing more than furniture.

"Vincent." His voice was low and even.

Vincent snapped his attention back to him. "Sir."

"Push the meeting back thirty minutes." He said it casually, like it was an afterthought. "I have something small to attend to first."

"Of course." Vincent didn't ask questions.

I felt those mismatched eyes slide back to me briefly before he turned to address Davis's father and the room erupted back into chatter and movement.

My legs were not working properly.

"Are you okay?" Davis leaned down to me.

"I'm…I feel a little dizzy actually." It wasn't entirely a lie. My head was spinning and I felt a little nauseous. "Can I use one of the rooms to sit down for a moment?"

Davis's mother immediately pointed me down the left corridor, third door. I thanked her and walked as steadily as my legs would allow me.

The room was a small sitting room, quiet and dim with heavy curtains drawn. I pressed my back against the door the moment it closed and squeezed my eyes shut.

Mariano was Davis's uncle.

Mariano was the new family head.

Mariano—

The door pushed open behind me. I stumbled forward and spun around to see the object of my forbidden encounter.

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him with a quiet click. He looked exactly as he had in Vegas. Unhurried. Unbothered. Like the world arranged itself around his schedule.

"You run fast for someone with sore legs." His voice was low and teasing.

My mouth went dry.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"No?" He took one step forward and I took one back until the backs of my knees found the edge of a chair. He stopped close enough that I had to tilt my head up to hold his gaze.

"Because I came back to an empty room and a girl who didn't even leave a name."

"I…It was a mistake. One night. That's all it was."

He tilted his head studying me. "Was it?"

"Yes." My voice came out smaller than I intended.

He was quiet for a moment. Then the corner of his mouth lifted.

"What if I let you in on a secret, tigrotta."

I couldn't breathe.

"What secret?"

He leaned in until his mouth was close to my ear.

"You were always meant to be mine."

"What?—" I breathed out but before I could understand his words, the door swung open.

I looked to see Davis. He stood in the door frame, his gaze cutting between us.