Chapter 5: Love's Map

Kendra jolted awake, a scream ripping from her throat. "What am I doing here?!" Panic clawed at her as she saw the ropes binding her to a chair. "Help! Please, someone help!" Her gaze darted around the opulent room, taking in the imposing lion statues, the vibrant paintings of a handsome young man. Her surroundings offered no comfort.

Her memory, like a rogue wave, crashed over her. The heels, the bikini… everything flooded back. Frantically, she kicked off her shoes and continued to yell for help, the sound swallowed by the vastness of the room.

"Austin? Are you here? Please, help me. Anyone!"

Realizing her pleas were futile, she began to struggle against the ropes.

Suddenly, two hulking men in impeccably tailored black suits and oddly shaped mustaches emerged from a hidden door. One spoke into a discreet earpiece, "Sir, she's here."

"What do you want?!" Kendra demanded, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Money? I'll give you anything! Just untie me!" One of the men strode towards the door ahead, opening it without a word. Kendra's breath hitched, her mind racing with dread. Who awaited her?

Two excruciating minutes later, which felt like an eternity, the door revealed a figure. A young man, impossibly handsome, with the same striking features as the man in the paintings. He was easily six-foot-two, dressed in a sharp black suit and a gleaming Rolex that looked genuine. His hair was slightly disheveled, a deliberate touch of imperfection.

He spoke, his voice surprisingly smooth despite its rough timbre. "Hello, Kendra. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."

"I don't share your pleasure," she retorted, her voice laced with defiance. "Who are you, and how do you know me?"

A dangerous glint entered his eyes. "Watch your tone, *Miss* Smith. You know nothing about me." He smirked, the gesture more threat than charm.

Kendra trembled, but refused to show fear. "Or what?" She spat, the action instinctive and defiant. The two bodyguards, knuckles cracking, took a step forward. The young man stopped them with a subtle flick of his hand.

"Mrs. Kendra Martinez, soon to be my wife," he stated, a chilling certainty in his voice.

Kendra's laughter erupted, a release of the tension coiled within her. "First of all, it's Miss Kendra Smith. Secondly, you kidnapped me! And finally, you think I'd marry you? Someone I know nothing about? Someone who kidnaps me?!"

"Shut up," he growled, the raw power in his voice freezing her in place. "You will be my guest here for one hundred days. I will *persuade* you. If I fail, you will be free to return to the States."

"Good luck with that," she said, her voice laced with irony as she almost finished untying herself. "And the 'States'? Which country are we in?"

"Mexico," he replied, his voice softening slightly, "In the home of a man you might call a… mafia lord."

"Is that what you call yourself?" Kendra challenged with a small chuckle. She stood and darted towards the door behind him, a desperate bid for freedom. He reacted instantly, grabbing her waist and slamming her against the wall, her back to him.

"Try that again, and you'll regret it," he murmured, his voice close to her ear. He turned her around and kissed her, his lips firm and demanding. The taste of strawberry and mint mingled with a subtle vanilla sweetness. And despite her panic, she couldn't deny the compelling fragrance of his cologne.

She shoved him away, her cheeks burning. "Julio, are you insane? Why would you do that?" Her hand flew up, delivering a stinging slap. Julio's smirk remained.

"Ian," he called out, his voice sharp.

A deep, commanding voice answered, "Yes, sir?"

A tall man, Ian, with a deep base-filled voice and a painful rasp, descended the stairs. "Sir, I'm here."

Julio gestured towards them. "Kendra, this is Ian. Your personal assistant. Ian, Kendra."

Kendra, attempting a flirtatious smile, directed her words at Ian, "Are you my personal assistant, or are you my next boyfriend?" She was testing the waters, the jealousy she hoped to see on Julio's face.

"Ma'am, I will take you to your room. Afterwards, if you would like, we can go shopping." Ian's response was a reassuring calm.

Kendra, though deeply afraid because of Julio's silence on the slap and the flirtation, agreed.

As she moved toward her room, Julio said, "Kendra, I always get what I want." His grin was as disconcerting as it was captivating.

Once she'd changed and her hair was nearly finished, she heard a soft knock. "Come in," she called. "Oh Ian, how can I help you?"

He smiled. "The sir wants you downstairs."

"What for?" she wondered, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach.

The moment she descended the stairs, she was stunned. The entire living area was transformed. Draped in black, with everyone shouting "Happy 25th birthday, Kendra!" A banner proclaimed her special day. Her eyes scanned the crowd for Julio.

"It's your birthday," a voice whispered from behind her. Turning, she saw Julio.

"How did you know? And why a party?" she demanded, her voice a mix of confusion and anger. "It's almost ten at night."

"I know a lot about you," Julio said, his gaze serious. "And Ian told me you were crying. I don't like tears in my home."

As she looked at his face, she saw the glint in his eyes and how attractive he looked. "Well, thanks, but I didn't ask for a party," she mumbled, rolling her eyes, and walked away.

The party continued until nearly one in the morning. Thirsty, Kendra slipped down to the kitchen. As she passed Julio's room, she saw that the door was ajar and he was in the bath. Ignoring the warning Ian had given her, she was tempted and walked into the space. She surveyed the room and found a phone on a desk, which she ran toward. She dialed Austin's number six times, and no response came. Her heart sank. She chose to write a message, then deleted the call logs and bolted. As she was leaving, Julio emerged from the bathroom, naked, and saw Kendra on his bed.