“None of that shit either damn it,” she grunted as she shifted next to me, trying to get comfortable. “I’m serious, Cass,” she whispered. “He was a beautiful man with a broken soul and haunted eyes but he was so kind and gentle. He promised he would get me out of here. He’ll come for us, I know he will.”
I opened my mouth to ask more but the sound of footsteps approaching the cell clamped it shut. My heart kicked in my chest, wanting to flee. So loud I was sure whoever was coming could hear it.
I scooched on my knees so that my back was facing Max and I faced the door of the cell.
They would have to go through me to get to her.
Light flooded the room. The florescent glow illuminating the harsh truth around me. Dingy walls, filthy concrete floors. Three men stepped into the room but my eyes stayed focused on the one in the middle. He was smaller than the other two but he bristled with immense power. I knew by the photo that Reid had showed me it was Del Marco. The stale smell of cigar smoke and sweat punched the stagnant air around us, making me feel even more nauseous. I had to get myself together. I had to stay strong. He stepped forward, his crisp, clean white suit a distinct contrast to the filth surrounding us. He squatted down in front of me, holding my narrowed gaze.
“You’re much prettier in person,” he said with a hint of desire sparking in his dark eyes.
My skin crawled with revulsion.
“Why are you doing this? What do you want?”
“I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet,pequeña(little one).Your brother said you were smart, but he lied.Al igual que mintió sobre todo lo demás.”(Just like he lied about everything else.)
I froze at the mention of Bodie, confusion clouding my mind.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. My brother is dead. He has nothing to do with this.”
His murky laugh echoed, the terrifying sound sending a shiver of fear down my spine. “All in good time, my dear. All in good time. It is a shame I have to kill you though. I could have fetched a good price for this perfect body of yours.” His gaze traveled down the length of me, his Mexican accent curling around every English syllable with unwanted desire. “But your friend on the other hand…Su coño valdrá miles.”(Her pussy will be worth thousands.)
He barked an order in Spanish to both men and left the room with two others. The men moved toward Max, and I quickly twisted to throw my body over hers. “No! Don’t touch her.” A hand fisted in the back of my hair, the strands tearing from the root as I screamed and kicked and fought with everything I had.
The backhanded blow to my face stole my fight, pain radiating through my head.
“Pinche puta.”(Fucking bitch.)
Her cries for help as they carried her away sliced against my heart like a serrated knife. I’d never felt so helpless, and knowing this was happening because of me made it that much more unbearable. The man shoved me to the ground and gave me one final kick to the stomach before turning to leave. Then darkness shrouded the empty cell as they locked me inside once more, plunging me into desolate despair.
***
I’d never been so tired and weak. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed. Hours, I assumed, because if it had been days I would be dead by now.
Sweat soaked my skin, matting the roots of my hair to my head. Lying on my side, exhaustion constantly nipped at my consciousness, attempting to claim me once and for all, but I refused to succumb to it. I needed food. I needed my insulin. But what I really wanted was Reid. He was our only hope. He was the only one who could save us.
I just prayed he made it before it was too late.
If I had any tears left they would have rolled down my cheeks, but I’d cried them all out hours ago when they took Max away. I was so scared for her. Where had they taken her?
The door of the cell creaked open and my heart rate kicked up as I squinted, trying to focus on the figure in front of me. I didn’t have enough strength to move much less fight whoever it was. And even if I could, my hands were still tied behind my back.
Two bare feet came into focus then, as I lifted my eyes. It was a girl, maybe a couple of years younger than me, with long, dark hair and kind, brown eyes.
Fear thundered in my veins as she knelt down beside me and pulled a knife from the pocket of her dress. I gasped, flinching away. I opened my mouth to scream but her hand quickly stopped it.
Her dark eyes held mine. “It is all right. I won’t hurt you.” Her voice was soft. Kind. “I’m going to free you.” She waited until I nodded before she removed her hand. She reached behind me to cut the rope binding my raw wrists then she helped me sit up enough to press a plastic bottle to my dry lips. “Drink,” she whispered, and water flooded my mouth. I choked, trying to drink it all at once. I was so thirsty. “Slow.” Her voice was so soothing.
Calm.
“What’s your name?” I asked between sips.
“I am Selena.”
Lowering my head back down, she produced a blanket and covered me with it. “Do you know where they took my friend?”
Her dark eyes flickered with regret. “Sí, they took her to get ready.”
