Chapter 2 - Twenty-Six DegreesTen minutes later, the developers' SUV pulled away down the winding, snow-lined driveway. The heavy oak front doors of the retreat slammed shut, the electronic locks engaging with a heavy, metallic click.
Brenna disappeared into the grand kitchen without a word, leaving Diego and me alone in the high-ceilinged foyer.
"Diego, I’m tired," I said, backing toward the staircase, keeping my arms wrapped around my bump. "We can talk about the shares tomorrow."
Before I could take another step, Diego moved with terrifying speed. His hand clamped around my upper arm like a vice, his fingers digging deep into my thick cashmere sweater.
"You embarrassed me," he whispered, his face inches from mine. His breath smelled of expensive wine and cold rage. "You sat at my table, in front of my investors, and treated me like a thief."
"You are trying to steal from me!" I cried out, struggling against his grip. "Those shares belong to my father's estate! And Vesper Limited? I know who Evelyn Vance is, Diego!"
His grip tightened until I gasped in pain. He didn't argue. He didn't deny it.
"You think because your father is Alvin Sterling, you can walk around like a queen?" he hissed. "You use that baby as an excuse for everything. You think that child makes you untouchable?"
He dragged me down the long, rear glass corridor toward the back patio.
"Diego, stop! It’s freezing outside!" I begged, tears finally spilling over my eyelashes. "Please! Think of the baby!"
"If you truly want to remain my wife," Diego said quietly, dragging me through the side door onto the frozen stone patio, "you’re going to learn to obey me."
The cold hit me like a physical wall. The mountain air was bitter, twenty-six degrees, biting straight through my sweater and leggings. I stumbled across the icy slate.
"Diego, please! Let me inside!" I screamed, shivering violently.
Beside the dark, winterized swimming pool stood the retreat’s luxury outdoor stone shower—a feature designed for hot summer afternoons. Diego reached into the alcove and cranked the brass valve all the way to the right.
A violent torrent of mountain groundwater crashed down from the overhead fixture, hitting the stone floor with a roar.
"Diego, no! No, please!"
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"You need to cool off, Clara," he said coldly.
Before I could run, he shoved me forward with both hands.
