What if he’s right?
What if it’s not Atlas?
I stood silently beside Becca, both of us naked, heads down. I prayed Hector wouldn’t take out his frustration on us for what happened to his brothers or the destruction of his torture houses. He and the guard began speaking in Spanish, and I lost the conversation.
Still, my mood lifted slightly. He said Becca might not be sold. That meant something.
Breeding wasn’t a threat, not for either of us. I had a hidden implant good for three years, and I’ve taken Becca to get her Depo shot a few times. I’m glad she didn't tell him she was already on birth control. It would be our little secret.
She had two more months of protection left. If Atlas came soon, we’d be okay.
The guard was dismissed. Hector walked over and stood between us, his face unreadable.
Is this where he beats us becauseof what happened to Juan and Julio?
“On your knees. Both of you.”
We obeyed immediately. If this was how I could keep Becca from being sold, I’d play along. If he wanted to dry fuck me for hours, I’d take it; as long as she stayed with me.
He grabbed two new collars—thinner, lighter, less metal. He locked them around our necks, the clicking of the mechanism sealing our fates.
He stepped back, rubbing his hands together.
“Up. Get moving. Clean the dishes, dust, vacuum, and handle the laundry. I’ll return when I return. No screwingaround. No escape plans. If you cause trouble, you’ll spend the next month in my brother's room.”
He looked at Becca’s wounds and smirked.
“And weallknow how treacherous those two can be. I have to be present sometimes just to stop them from mutilating their toys beyond recognition.”
He nodded at her.
“Well, you know. I’ve saved your ass a few times from becoming ground-up chicken.”
Then he grabbed my face and kissed me. Quick, possessive. He did the same to Becca and walked out.
I exhaled a shaky breath.
At least for now… she’s safe.
My eyes met Becca’s. A faint shimmer flickered behind her tears. It was enough to keep me from falling apart.
We hadn’t worn clothes since the day we had arrived. I wondered if we’d even recognize what fabric felt like on our skin.
I smiled faintly and whispered, “Safe for now, my friend. Let’s get this place cleaned before he comes back.”
She nodded, reaching for the vacuum.
I turned to the kitchen and started the dishes, my hope resting on a single prayer:
Please, Atlas… come get us out of this nightmare.
Chapter 15
The Hunter
Atlas
The room was dim, the only light coming from the muted TV playing a rerun of some telenovela I wasn't paying too much attention to. The hotel smelled of old cigarette smoke and synthetic air freshener. Another dump on the outskirts of Mexico City.
