Through You (The Hidalgo Brothers Book 2)

ARTEMIS

“Oh, come on, how about a tiny smile?” Cristina begs while giving me a look of reproach.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I don’t answer. My focus is fixed on the road, this route I know so well. I’m not feeling the least bit enthusiastic about returning to the house of my childhood, a place filled with bitter memories.

Cristina, on the other hand, looks radiant and happy. She loves these kinds of occasions.

“Why so serious?”

I leave her question hanging, unanswered. I’m not in the mood to explain, and she takes the hint. “I hate it when you switch to extreme silent mode—it’s irritating.”

But she leaves me in peace, and moves to fix her makeup even though she looks great. She is stunning in a red dress that hugs her curves perfectly. Her red hair is loose and lightly curled on the bottom. I’m pretty sure that my mother will adore her. Cristina is elegant and comes from a very good family; to my mother, that’s all that matters. When my cell vibrates in the pocket of my pants, I place the Bluetooth piece in my ear and answer the call.

“Sir.” I hear the voice of David, my right-hand man, on the other end. “Sorry to bother you today, I know that—”

“David, get to the point.”

“Of course, sir.” There’s a pause. “We have a problem: the machinery department has reported an accident involving one of the bulldozers.”

Hidalgo Enterprises is one of the biggest construction firms in the country. We have offices in various states, and I’m in charge of headquarters. The bulldozers are the most expensive type of machinery, used for large-scale excavation. I let out a sigh before muttering my reply. “This must be good. What happened?”

“It was at the work site where they’re building the new canal.

From what I heard, the bulldozer slid off a side and landed in the water. They used a crane to retrieve it, but the machine is out of commission.”

“Shit,” I say, and Cristina looks at me with worry. “And its operator, is he okay?”

“Yes, sir.” I’m relieved. “Where would you like us to send the machine? Back to the manufacturer? Or should we repair it in-house?

“Send it to our repair shop. I trust our mechanics. And keep me posted.”

I hang up right after I hear his confirmation. I can feel Cristina’s eyes on me.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yeah. Just machinery issues.”

I park the car and unbuckle my seat belt.

“I have to say, I’m feeling pretty anxious,” she confesses, and laughs nervously.

I get out of the car and walk over to other side to open the door for her.

She grabs my hand and together we head to the main entrance.

My home . . .

In the past five years, I haven’t lived here, though I have made short visits. Yet I’m overcome by a feeling of familiarity, and my mind flashes to a set of black eyes that unsettle me every time I think of them.

“It’s very quiet. Aren’t we supposed to be attending a party?”

Cristina asks in a whisper as she puts her ear to the door.

“Oh yes, we are. My mother expects it to be a surprise.” I place my hand on the handle. “So please act accordingly.”

“Surprise!” a crowd shouts in unison the moment I open the door.

I make an effort, and force a polite smile. I’ve only seen these people on a few occasions, often at events hosted by my mother.

At last, I spot my parents. The wrinkles on my father’s face have deepened, and the dark circles under his eyes are quite visible.

The stress of life lived has left a stamp. My mother gives me a wide smile, and my father shakes my hand. My younger brother Apolo welcomes me with a quick hug. I put my hands in my pockets and proceed to introduce them to Cristina.

“And this is my girlfriend, Cristina.”

“A pleasure to meet you.” Cristina greets them with her best smile and shakes hands with my parents and Apolo. “You have a beautiful home.”

“Well, thank you very much.” My mother looks her over and seems pleased with what she sees.

While my mom proceeds to ask Cristina a lot of questions, I scan the room and find that pair of black eyes. Claudia. I clench my hands, still tucked inside my pockets. I’m in awe at how pretty she looks, and for a brief moment I feel short of breath. It’s obvious that these past years have done wonders for her. I feel satisfied when she avoids my gaze. Can’t even bring yourself to look at me?

The rest of the evening goes by in a blur. I make small talk with friends, listen to their boring stories and offer a few comments here and there. From time to time, my eyes, of their own volition, examine the room in search of a redhead different from the one standing next to me. Claudia tends to the guests. She slips away anytime I approach a group she’s looking after, reacting as if I was the plague. Can’t even stand to be near me?

Later in the evening, after we say good-bye to the last of our guests, Cristina, my parents, and I sit in the living room.

“Cristina, I’m very impressed. You are a fascinating young woman.”

I take sip of my whisky while my mom showers Cristina with compliments. There is a twinkle in her eyes as she talks, and it’s very clear that Cristina meets all the expectations my mother has for my ideal match. My father informs us he is exhausted and leaves.

“It’s bedtime.” She turns to address Cristina. “I’ll tell Claudia to get the guest room ready for you.” My mother gets up, but I grab her wrist gently.

“Please don’t bother. Cristina will sleep with me.” I look at Cristina and she blushes, her gaze turning downward. My lips curl into a grin. She needs to drop the innocent act, especially after all the naughty things she’s done with me.

My mother gives me a disapproving look.

“Artemis . . .”

“Mother, we’re adults. And you’re not protecting anyone’s chastity here.” I let go of her wrist and get up. “I’ll ask Claudia to bring extra towels and a few snacks up to my room.”

I can tell my mother wants to protest my decision but won’t do it in front of Cristina. I place my whisky glass on the side table and brush my hands on the side of my pants as I make my way to the kitchen. I come to a sudden stop when I reach the doorframe and notice her. Claudia is finishing with the cleanup. While her back is to me, I make use of the opportunity to examine her carefully for the first time this evening. Her body has changed, and her curves are more pronounced. The dress she is wearing fits her like a glove. Her fiery-red tresses are now pulled back into a high ponytail. She is no longer the fifteen-year-old girl I innocently declared my love to years ago. She’s a woman now, and would certainly look incredible lying naked in my bed. She’s a woman I would fuck, hard. I shake my head in an attempt to rid myself of these stupid, lustful thoughts.

“Tired?”

She turns to face me and is visibly unsettled. She looks at me briefly, and her eyes are full of fire and something else. Fear?

Desire? I’m not sure. The air changes. And a tension that I’ve never felt before begins to grow.

Her voice is soft but curt. “No.”

A part of me wants to ask about her mother and school. But I shouldn’t be interested. She is not my childhood friend. She is simply the house staff, and I want to make that explicitly clear.

“No? I believe the correct answer is No, sir. Or maybe you’ve forgotten how to address your boss?”

Her eyes harden. I can tell she wants to challenge me.

“No, sir.” She stretches the last word, infusing it with a hint of anger. Claudia has always been as fiery and intense as the red of her hair. She was never one to submit to others, and this fuels my desire to break her into submission.

“Bring fresh towels and some appetizers to my room,” I order her in a chilly tone.

She nods, and I exit the room.