After throwing the medicine on the end table, he bent down next to me and unlocked the metal cage, gently removing it from my skull. I had to dart my tongue back and forth to relieve the stiffness.
I also tossed my head from side to side, easing the kink in my neck. At least the collar wasn't as heavy as the cage.
He walked over to Becca and did the same. She flicked her tongue in and out of her mouth, working out the stiffness.
He turned to both of us, smiling almost pleasantly. He creeped me out, and his moods changed like the wind.
"I imagine you both feel much better without your heads encased in those contraptions."
We both nodded, but kept silent. I didn't know about Becca, but my tongue felt weird, almost limp and swollen. It was probably a good idea for me to keep my mouth shut so I would never have to experience that horror again.
I almost laughed at the thought. I always had a difficult time keeping my comments to myself. Once I was pissed off, I couldn't control the word vomit that fell from my lips.
I made a mental note to try harder.
While still kneeling naked on the cold floor, I glanced at Becca. She kept her gaze fixed downward as though if she stayed perfectly still, Hector wouldn't notice her.
His voice was calm, almost normal. No bite to it.
"Stand, both of you. I will give you a tour of the suite."
We did as we were told and followed him into the kitchen. I couldn't believe an evil cartel owned this beautiful apartment. Everything was so pristine. Thewalls were a soft cream stucco, with slight imperfections. Teal-green marble countertops added lots of color to the room. All the appliances were made of stainless steel.
The cupboards were dark wood.
There was an island with two wrought-iron bar stools resting in the middle of the white tile floor.
The kitchen table and four chairs were also made of dark wood to match the cabinets.
Hector pointed around the area.
"This is obviously my kitchen. Aside from using your bodies for payment, you'll also keep my apartment clean."
I shuddered at the thought of him touching me anywhere on my body. His dark looks weren't revolting; his soul was. The man wasn't as tall as Atlas, but he was tall enough. His black hair was wavy; his complexion was tan and smooth. No acne scars like his brothers. His physique was lean and muscular, but his soul was as black as night.
"Follow me." He said.
We trailed behind him into the bedroom. The room was vast. A huge king sized bed rested in the middle of the dark hardwood floor. There were no rugs anywhere. Two huge black velvet wingback chairs like the one in the red room sat in each corner. There were two enormous closets at the far end of the room.
The balcony to the left of the bed was open, allowing a cool summer breeze to drift through. Two large dog cages, each containing a thick mat, sat on either side of his bed. I glanced around, but saw no animals. Maybe one of his guards was walking them.
His voice rang out, strong and clear.
"This is where I sleep. You'll both be joining me until you are sold and shipped off elsewhere."
My stomach knotted at the same time Becca gasped. Not that I wanted to remain here, but I didn't want to be separated from my friend. I prayed Atlas would get here before someone offered to purchase us like tagged cattle up for auction. The idea of sleeping in this scumbag's bed almost sent me over the edge. That's the last thing I wanted.
I certainly didn't want him fucking me with Becca present. The thought made me sick to my stomach.
His evil eyes stared at both of us.
"You bitches cost me twenty-two thousand dollars, and I'm going to recoup every penny."
His grin widened.
"I expect you to obey my every command. You will be fucked, degraded, humiliated and, if the mood hits me, flogged for the next three weeks until the debt is paid. Then I will sell your asses."
I broke out in a cold sweat just listening to what was in store for us. Becca started crying, choking on her sobs.
