The Queens: Scarred Queen, Alejandro's Prey
Chapter 56

In the hour since he'd left Gina to prepare for their evening out darkness had fallen and the city of La Paz was beginning to come alive. Alejandro stood on the balcony of his hotel suite leaning against the railing and watching the street five stories below as lamps twinkled to life and people waved down their rides to wherever they were going; restaurants perhaps, clubs, bars, wherever the evening took them.

He squinted against the pungent smoke of his cigar, inhaled and then tapped it against the railing, watching disinterestedly as the ash drifted lazily. He wondered if this particular habit bothered Gina. He'd tried quitting many times. It never worked for long and his men always bore the brunt of his bad temper with each attempt. He shook his head and smiled sardonically. If the lovely blond asked, he'd quit in a heartbeat and he had no doubt he'd be successful this time. He took another quick puff before knocking the cherry off on the iron railing and tossing what was left of the cigar in a nearby ashtray. He'd finish later, a last smoke before bed.

He heard the moment she turned the knob on the door between their adjoining rooms, the soft sounds of her heels against the carpet as she slipped through and then closed the door behind her. He waited, tension running up and down his back, the predator in him screaming to turn around and pounce. He didn't. It wasn't easy to keep his back on a room with another human being in it. It went against every instinct, every training he had. But this woman would become his wife; his everything. She would have his trust.

He felt her approach his back and stop within inches of him. So close he could almost feel her soft breath against his neck. Once more he was surprised by her. In a year of knowing Gina she hadn't often surprised him. Yet over and over she'd managed to unbalance him since he'd declared his intentions. He'd expected emotions ranging from resistance to tears, begging, pleading, fear. Perhaps even quiet acquiescence as the best-case scenario; after all, Gina was his sweet little mouse. He had not expected assertive, demanding, annoyed and angry. All emotions she'd thrown at him from the moment he'd forced her back on the helicopter.

Alejandro didn't like surprises. He killed surprises and then sorted them out later. Yet, there was something about these new facets of Gina that he was enjoying. Which is why he hadn't shut her down with a few decisive words and actions. He didn't want to start off his marriage with a wife who was terrified of him. So, he would practice patience and see where Gina was leading him.

"I love the way you smell," she said, her voice just above a husky whisper but still low enough that he could barely hear her over the noise from the street below.

He lifted an amused brow, straightened to his full height and turned to look at her. She backed up quickly, covering her mouth in embarrassment, her face flushing a beautiful shade of pink. He slashed a quick grin and reached for her before she could get away from him. He swung her into his arms and dipped his face into the curve of her neck where the graceful column met her shoulder. Inhaling deeply, he murmured, "You smell like heaven yourself, mi amor." He sniffed again and then licked her skin enjoying the shiver that swept her body and made her legs quiver. "Like an angel, you smell like baby powder and flowers."

He lifted his head in time to catch the soft, pleased smile that lit her face. It made his chest ache. He pushed her away a little, knowing if he continued to touch her, kiss her, he would end up throwing her on the bed and fucking her instead of wooing her the way he'd planned, the way she deserved.

"Come Gina, we have reservations at Gustu."

"Really? We get to eat at Gustu?" she asked, excitedly matching his strides as he took her hand and pulled her along beside him.

"Si," he smiled indulgently and lifted her hand to his lips. "We have reservations."

He guided her into the hall after checking for clearance and led her toward the bank of elevators, his men falling into step around them. Now that they were in the brightly lit hall and Gina was at his side instead of wrapped tight in his arms, Alejandro allowed his gaze to caress her figure, running his eyes over each sleek curve as she moved.

He stopped abruptly, pulling her to a halt beside him. "What the fuck are you wearing?" he growled.

She glanced down at herself. "You don't like it?" she asked, confusion in her voice. "I thought you picked the dresses."

"Gina, you look stunning, motherfucking caliente," he snarled, startling her and earning a sharp look from Fredo, one of the more senior men. He tried to soften his voice. "But I can assure you, cari?a, I would not pick a dress like this for you to wear in public." He swept her with another look and lifted a hand to encompass the length of her body, which was draped in a shimmering black and silver halter dress that clung provocatively to every generous curve of her body. The plunging halter showed exactly how gifted she was in the cleavage department and the high split in the side of the bias-cut skirt revealed her thigh nearly to her hip. "Is there nothing more conservative you can change into?" he asked as gently as he could.

He knew he missed the mark when tears filled her cloudy grey eyes and she crossed her arms protectively across her chest. "Yes," she snapped and then gulped back a tiny catch in her voice. "I can change back into the dress I wore here. It was plenty conservative. Those other dresses are even worse than this one." She turned her face away and looked as though she wanted to bolt back to the room.

He'd fucked up.

He turned his head and barked at Fredo, "Take the stairs."

"But..." Fredo replied, his brows lowering. Reyes would have Fredo's head if he allowed Alejandro and Gina out of his sight while the couple were in public. But an order from Alejandro was as good as an order from the boss.

"Now," Alejandro snarled.

"Right," Fredo agreed and jerked his head toward the stairs, telling his men wordlessly to follow.

Alejandro took Gina's arm and punched the button for the elevator. They stood in tense silent until it arrived. As soon as the doors opened, he swept her inside, hit the button for the lobby and pulled Gina into his arms. He wrapped one arm around her neck, pushing his chest against hers and tilting her head back so he could access her lips as they parted in surprise. He groaned at the feel of her silky soft curls that spilled over his wrist and hand.

"You are so fucking gorgeous, Gina. You're always beautiful, but tonight you are more than I could have hoped for. You are my bride," he told her. "I'm sorry for hurting you. I just can't abide the touch of another man's eyes on your skin. It belongs to me, all of it, every single inch. Mine."