"Shhh." I mouthed.
Too late.
The passenger door flew open with the same loud screech it had made earlier. We both jumped to our feet,gasping. I drew Becca into a bear hug, my heart hammering in my chest.
We clung to one another for dear life. Juan grinned evilly, while Julio shook his finger at us; his voice controlled.
"Oh, naughty, naughty little bitches. We have been looking for you all night. It's a good thing there are only a few houses in the area. We knew you wouldn't get too far out here."
So, there aren't trackers in the collars.
At least not yet.
I noticed a set of expensive black shoes resting at the entrance of the van—polished to perfection.
Shit! I'd recognize them anywhere.
Hector stood at the threshold, holding a rag over his nose, gagging. His black slacks and blue button-down shirt hugged his muscular frame.
I saw the firearm tucked into the front of his pants. My stomach twisted in knots. I hope he doesn't kill us for running, but then again, maybe death would be a better option than what lies ahead.
He trained his cold black eyes on me.
His expression wasn't rage, not yet.
"You girls must have had quite the adventure." He murmured, stepping fully inside the vehicle.
"Now, I am afraid your little escapade ends here."
He walked toward me, lifted my chin with his fingers, and forced me to look into his dark, vacant eyes.
"You made me leave the comfort of my home to come out and chase you," he whispered.
"And now…I'm going to make sure you never run again."
His thumb gently brushed my cheek, like a familiar lover, but his eyes told a different story.
They were cruel and empty.
He released my chin, barking orders at Juan and Julio.
"Bring them to the car. The goddamn stench in here is disgusting. I refuse to spend one more minute in this fucking pigsty."
He spun abruptly and stepped outside.
Beck and I still held onto one another, our bodies trembling with fear.
Juan stepped behind Becca and seized her by the back of her collar. He pulled so hard her head snapped back. She howled like a wounded animal, clawing at the front of the thick metal, trying to loosen his grip on her.
His laugh was wicked and cruel, his voice full of fury.
"If you think this is bad, little whore, wait until we get you to the compound. You ran away, making us look like fools. You don't know how this works, but you’re going to find out. We’reallgoing to pay for what you did.”
He looked at me.
His calculated stare sent a shiver down my spine.
"The same goes for you, too, green eyes. You both don't know who you're fucking with."
