Tell Me Lies (Lie to Me Book 2)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: only the first 5 chapters are up here.. the full story will be posted on GALATEA.. will add link soon..

MARIANA- 4 years ago..

I froze in place as my father’s words penetrated my brain with the force of an air horn.

No. No way.

“This is a good thing Mari. Braga is a good man.” My father continued, clearly oblivious to the fact that I was having a panic attack.

I’d never met the man but the thought of being married to a stranger was enough to make me want to throw up. Not just any stranger. A boss.

I shuddered as fear slid down my spine.

“Pai, I’m only seventeen. I’m not ready to marry anyone.” I tried to keep my voice calm. My father was known for his temper and I didn’t need him to lose his cool when I was trying to reason with him.

I watched his jaw tense.

“You are older than your mother was when we met.” He said harshly, clenching his fists.

My shoulders immediately sagged at the mention of my mother. Kelly Soares died four years ago when a bomb that was meant for my father exploded in the car she took to pick me up from school because her usual car had a flat tyre. Ever since that day, my father never let me go anywhere without at least two bodyguards shadowing my every move. But I wasn’t fooled by thinking he did so out of love. My father knew the importance of keeping me around. His only child. His heir. If I couldn’t take over the business, then he’d find another use for me. As he was so clearly doing now.

“Besides, it’s safer for you to be wed soon.” He added, his lips slanted mockingly.

My father’s health had been deteriorating rapidly over the last year when he was diagnosed with early onset dementia. I’d noticed that he’d started forgetting things and would sometimes mix up words. He hid it from his men as best as he could but I knew soon, he wouldn’t be able to hide it at all. The only people who knew about it was myself, his doctor and my housekeeper slash au pair Luana, who’d been with us since I was five. She was standing in the room with us and clutching her hands and trying to be invisible when she heard the news of my impending marriage to the new Boss.

“Pai give me a few more years.” I pleaded, “When I turn twenty-one we can discuss it again.”

His large palm came down hard on the desk making Luana visibly jump. I’d gotten used to my father’s sudden bouts of temper and stayed well away from striking distance. But that wasn’t always the case.

“You don’t have a few more years.” He retorted, his eyes narrowing on mine as if he could instill his will into me “When the other bosses find out about my condition, they’ll try to take what’s mine. Including you.”

My heart beat faster knowing he was right.

My father walked over from his desk to sit on the chair next to me where my head was bowed.

“Listen Mari.” He said, taking my trembling hand in his, “You’re a good girl. I’m only trying to protect you. Braga has promised me to do the same.” Protect his business he meant. Not me.

Even as tears pooled in my eyes, I nodded my quiet acceptance of my fate and pulled my hand away.

He patted my hands now clasped in my lap.

“Good.” He turned to Luana, “Get her dressed. Braga is coming for dinner tonight.”

I gasped.

“Tonight?” I squeaked.

His eyes narrowed on me again.

“It’s been arranged. He has asked to meet you before we formally sign over any business.”

I opened my mouth to argue but his glare made me close it again.

“Come on Mari.” Luana took me by my shoulders and ushered me out the office and away from my father’s wrath.

*******

ANTON

“Are you out of your goddamned mind?”

I clutched the phone in my hand and ground my teeth at my brother’s words. Actually he was my half-brother since we shared only a father. A father who never bothered to claim me so that I was forced to grow up in the slums while Roman lived the cushy life: private school, money and more recently, had taken over our father’s empire. An empire he signed over to me over a year ago to keep his precious wife safe.

I, on the other hand, joined my first cartel when I was thirteen and quickly rose through the ranks until I was the enforcer all others feared. That’s what happens when you have nothing to lose. You do the jobs no one else wanted to do. Some may say I was trying to get my father’s attention. Maybe if he saw what I was capable of, he would claim me. Put me to work for him. But that never happened.

Roman and I have always known each other existed. But we didn’t form a relationship until after our father died. Until things started getting messy and Roman was forced to step in. That’s where I came in. I knew my little brother, with his pretty face and celebrity life back in the US was not cut out for this life. That’s why he ran away to America when he had the chance. He built his life there and now he was getting married. I couldn’t be angry with him though, because he gave me what I always wanted. Besides, working with him over the last few years actually brought us closer to a point where we respected each other. Trusted each other. Where I could now call him my brother.

He’d just called to ask me to be his best man when I gave him the news that I was considering marrying the daughter of one of our father’s worst enemies to secure a large chunk of the trade that Soares owned that would grow our organization considerably.

“It’s a good idea. She’s his only child. He agreed to sign over all the routes to us.” I explained trying to keep my voice level, “No one would question it if I marry his daughter. It would make us unstoppable.”

“It would make you a target Anton.” Roman countered, his voice rising. “Both you and the girl.”

“You let me worry about that maninho. How’s my sobrinho?” I asked, changing to his favourite topic.

He let out a frustrated sigh, knowing exactly what I was doing.

“Valentim is fine.” He said, “He's growing so fast.”

“Happy to hear.”

A knock sounded on my office door just before my right hand, Santiago, walked through, his expression grim. He had the shoulders of a line backer with jet black hair and matching dark eyes. Like me, he wore a dark suit that covered the tattooes underneath that hid our scars.

“Give Sloane my love.” I told my brother just before disconnecting the call. “Tell me.” I said, eyes on him.

He didn’t beat around the bush.

“There was a break in at the warehouse in Santos.”

“How many?”

“Five.” Santiago replied knowing what I was asking. How many men did we lose?

“And the product?”

“Gone.” He said, then moved closer a small device in his hand, “They tried to wipe the cameras. But they missed one.” He dropped the flash drive on my desk, “I think you already know who’s behind this, but it doesn’t hurt to have concrete evidence.”

I gave a brisk nod and plugged in the drive just as he turned to walk back out.

“We have a meeting at the Soares Estate tonight.” I told, clicking on the folder that popped up on my computer.

Santiago spun back around, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Are you really going to marry the Soares girl?”

I glared at him.

“Are you questioning my decisions now Santi?”

He put up a hand and shook his head.

“Did you even look at the file I gave you on her?”

I steepled my fingers on the desk.

“What does it matter?” I asked sarcastically, “The girl is a means to an end. A pawn to be pushed around a chessboard.”

I watched as his expression changed. He looked at me curiously.

“Look at the file Boss.” He told me right before he turned around and walked out.