"Go fetch green-eyes and her friend."
Hector offered us a drink. We both declined. A few minutes later, Kitlyn and Becca were shoved into the room. Their dresses clung to them awkwardly. The straps were practically torn to shreds on both of them.
Kit had welts along her legs and arms. Becca sported a few bruises on her neck and arms, her cheeks streaked with tears. Kitlyn wouldn't even lift her head.
My fists clenched so hard my knuckles cracked.
My heart was pounding so loudly I feared the monster sitting across from me would notice. I was so close to having her in my arms. Keeping myself in check, I continued playing along. I nodded toward the girls.
"Bathroom. We want you cleaned up before sampling the goods." It killed me to speak to them like that, but I couldn't break cover. "We'll wait," I said patiently.
Hector gestured lazily to his two guards.
"Escort them. Make sure they don't try anything stupid."
The guards shoved the girls through the bathroom door, slamming it shut. They stood by, securing it as if they were protecting the gold in Fort Knox.
Their rifles were still slung over their shoulders.
First mistake.
Hector turned back to the champagne, smirking as he poured himself a glass.
Second mistake.
Fuck going out quietly. We had an opportunity to clean house, and we were taking it.
Jacob moved first, his 357 bullet flashing quickly and silently across the first guard's throat, blood spilling everywhere. I was on the second before he could blink, my silencer firing once; the lead tearing through the base of his skull.
Both bodies hit the floor with a slight thud, but the music drowned out any sound.
Hector turned, pistol half raised-
Too slow, motherfucker.
I brought the butt of my gun crashing into his temple, every ounce of my fury in the swing. He dropped instantly, the champagne glass shattering across the floor.
Jacob and I worked fast, dragging him to the corner, binding his wrists and ankles with the zip ties we hid in our jackets. We gagged him with his own silk tie. For the first time since I laid eyes on him, Hector looked small and helpless. The creep who bullied women daily was knocked off his throne, but we still had a lot to do.
The sound of muffled sobs leaked through the bathroom door. I pushed it open. Kitlyn stood at the sink, her hands trembling as she tried to splash water on her face. Becca clutched the counter beside her, eyes wide and terrified, shoulders shaking.
When Kitlyn lifted her head, her gaze caught mine through the mask. She froze. She didn't recognize me yet. Her voice cracked when she spoke.
"Wha..what areyou going to do with us?"
She moved as far back as she could go, which wasn't too far before she hit the wall.
I ripped the mask off my face, smiling from ear to ear.
I finally had my Kitten back.
"Atlas?" Her voice cracked, the word breaking like glass. Her knees buckled, and she slapped a hand over her mouth, sobbing uncontrollably.
I rushed in and caught her before she hit the floor, pulling her tight to me, my face pressing into her hair. She shook violently, clinging to me for dear life.
"You're here….Oh God, you're really here!"
She repeatedly touched my face, making sure I was real.
