Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 74620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“I’ll give you a lift,” he tells me, and I hear the click of the locks. “You can’t run, mami.” He smirks, as if reading my mind. “I find everything I’m hired to. I deliver what my clients want.” I know he does.
“Quién eres tú?” I finally turn to face him fully, still not getting in the car, but asking who he is. Surely if he’s here to take me to Victor, he can offer me his name.
The corner of his mouth lifts into a dark grin. “Curiosity killed the cat, mami,” he says, and the dangerous aura surrounding him is stifling.
I want to run, and he knows it. I’m sweating, my skin is sticky, and I’m feeling dizzy from the intense heat. My energy levels are running low, and I know if I attempt to get away from him, he’ll not only catch me, but he could hurt me as well. Working for Victor, he must be a killer.
“He asked you to collect me.” It’s not a question, but he nods. My worst fear has come true. My phone chimes in my pocket, and I realize it can only be one of two people. Pulling out the device, I find the unknown number glaring at me. It’s him.
“What?” I answer, pressing the phone to my ear.
“Ah, Sofía.” Victor’s deep voice comes from the other end of the line. “I trust my man has made contact with you?”
“He has.”
“He’s tasked to bring you back to me. If you give him any problems, he’s ordered to force your hand. I trust you don’t want that. Do you, juguete?”
“I’m no fucking toy. If you want me, I’ll come willingly, pay off my father’s debt to you so you can release him.”
He chuckles darkly over the speaker. The sound is utterly devastating, and I know I’m making a deal with the Devil. “I don’t make deals with little girls, but you, my sweet, will be a rather tempting plaything to toy with. Come. We will talk in person.” He hangs up, and I meet the eyes of my kidnapper. The man who’s going to take me to Victor, who will either torture me until my father begs for my release, or he’ll want something else from me, the one thing I haven’t given to anyone else. I tried, papá, but I just couldn’t make it. I was too slow, and the fading of my energy makes sure I get into the air-conditioned SUV without a fight.
If I can save my father, I’ll do it.
“Take me to your boss,” I instruct the driver.
9
Victor
The office is quiet when I stalk inside. The call that came moments ago informed me that Díago has found my payment. The young girl, who will soon be my prisoner, is in his grasp. God, I can’t wait to lay eyes on her.
Her feistiness has an effect on me, and I can’t wait until I have her within my compound, inside my home, so I can do as I wish with her. She’s going to pay for her father’s sins, but also, I want her to bow to me. She’s offered herself up as the prey, a payment for her father’s sins. And what she doesn’t know is how much I love the hunt.
I should’ve gone out and hunted her down myself, but the anticipation of seeing her enter with Díago has me calm and at the ready. There’s nothing more I enjoy than chasing a beautiful woman, pinning her to the floor, and making her scream my name. A knock at my door sounds as I settle into my chair, dragging me from the thoughts of my newest toy.
“Come.”
When it slides open, I’m met with Javier’s brother, Alejandro. He’s the youngest of the two at only nineteen. He looks just like his older brother when he smiles, but there’s a long scar that runs from beneath his left eye down to his upper lip.
“What is it, Alejandro?”
“There’s a car that’s pulled up. A man, Díago, said you’re expecting something.” He offers a small bow as he tells me this—a sign of respect for me being the leader of the organization. Being his boss, I have authority over him and his life.
Power is something I’ve come to crave, the need of having people answer to me as always races through my veins. It’s in my blood. As a child, I’d always lorded over the other kids I grew up with, but now, as an adult, the need has only intensified. Waving my hand, I gesture for him to open the door fully. Now I’ll be able to use that same power over my newest acquisition, the payment that I’m afforded because Hector chose to steal from me.
“Tell him to bring her in through the basement. Put her in one of the cells, I’ll be there in a few moments.” My order earns me a respectful nod before he leaves me alone to mull over how I’m going to introduce myself to the fiery woman who’s come into my home, into my possession.