“You stole what I told you I wouldn’t give,” he grunts. “And now what, Mercedes? What do you think is going to happen?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, releasing a quiet breath as I try to formulate a sentence. But as he thrusts into me, the only thing I can think about is how much I have missed this. I have missed him. Even in the moments of his cruelty, it still feels sweeter than anything I’ve ever tasted. I’m already on the verge of coming when his fingers dig into my hip, and he releases my hair to slap my ass cheek.

“Answer me,” he growls.

I don’t, and he smacks my ass again, harsher this time, his hips colliding against me as he thrusts deep. Fast. Hard.

“Oh god,” I whine. “Judge, please.”

He slaps my ass so hard I’m on the verge of coming violently, only for him to pull out and ruin it at the last second.

“This isn’t for you,” he snarls, milking his cock in his fist.

I turn to look at him just as he releases, his come spurting over my ass. There’s not an ounce of satisfaction in his eyes. He’s doing this to punish me. I realize that when he smears the liquid from his hand onto my skin, leaving me exposed as he tucks himself into his pants and stares down at me.

“Go get ready. We have a fucking baptism to get to.”

The car ride to the IVI compound is tense and silent. Judge stares out his window, and I stare out mine. I wish I could say the mood improves when we arrive and I see beautiful little Elena in her christening gown, but it doesn’t.

Judge allows me exactly one minute to say hello before pulling me back to stand away from the rest of the gathered crowd. We watch the baptism from a distance, and sadness washes over me as I realize how far away my family feels.

I should be Elena’s godmother, but I’m not. Santiago won’t grant that to me. It only makes me realize that even though he said we’re going to put the past behind us, things will never be the same. I’ll never feel like a part of this.