Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“And if I don’t?” I ask. I want to know where I stand. I like it better that way and always have.
The men behind me make sounds of disbelief. Even Carlos needs a minute. He blinks in surprise. It feels a bit victorious.
“If you don’t, I’ll kill him first and make you watch, little sister, before you join him.”
Little sister. It hurts worse than when he hit me.
A pang hits my heart when he calls me that. I remember being only three years old, cowering in fear in my father’s study. I’d broken his prized possession, a hideous bookend his father carved into the shape of a serpent with a thick square base. I knew I’d get the belt for that. I wasn’t allowed in his study.
Carlos saw me, his eyes wide in surprise when he found me crying in the study just moments before my father came home. I told him what happened in a rush of words seconds before my father came in.
He didn’t even hesitate but spun on his heels and took the blame. “I’m sorry!” he said to my father. “It was an accident.” I wept as he took the punishment meant for me, without a whimper, without a tear, and later nursed his wounds.
What happened to the brother who defended me? My father planted the seeds. Power and greed are insidious beasts that can destroy a man’s heart. I blink, and a tear rolls down my cheek.
I can’t help but pitch a final plea to the brother I once knew. “What happened to you, Carlos? We used to be friends. We used to love each other.”
A flicker of something like humanity crosses his features but quickly evaporates. He laughs and shakes his head. “I grew up, Renata.”
I stare at the lifeless body of the man on the floor, killed for not hitting me harder. I stare at my brother’s cruel face, twisted in hatred and anger. I swallow hard.
“I’ll do what you ask,” I tell him. “But if you touch one hair on his head, I will kill you myself.”
Carlos nods as if satisfied with my response. “There it is. The hint of Carerra blood you’ve kept buried under all those lies and deception.” He shakes his head. “We’ll meet again, Renata. Remember, I have eyes on you. Not a word to anyone about me. I’m dead to all the world. You know what will happen if you betray me again.”
I wish he were dead. God, I wish he were dead.
I’ll do what he tells me, but not for him. I’ll play his game, because if I don’t, Ollie will pay the price. But I swear to fucking God, when the time comes, it will be Carlos who bleeds.
He jerks his chin at me. “Take her. No more bruises, not today.” I release a shaky breath. “Leave her on the street, crying for mercy. The American is here. He’ll find her. Let him.” His face twists in a cruel sneer. “Then leave the rest for me.”
The American is here.
He’s here.
And he thinks I betrayed them. For the first time in my entire life, I’m tempted to end it all. The crushing weight feels like too much.
“Remember, Renata. If you ever tell them, if I catch even the slightest hint that you’ve betrayed me, he’ll die first. Then you.”
No. I will never give up this one life I have to live for anyone.
I’ll get away. I’ll escape. I’ll leave who I am behind and start all over, where no one will ever find me.
Carlos stands, and his men snap to attention. He jerks his chin at the one in front, who comes to stand in front of me.
“On second thought,” Carlos says. “A little more blood might do well.” He lifts his hand to strike me. I wince and brace for the blow I can’t deflect, but it doesn’t come. I’m gasping for breath and confused when I hear a loud thump. I look to find Carlos standing in front of me, the masked man’s hand blocking Carlos from striking me. I notice a small scar on the inside of the man’s wrist.
He speaks in rapid Spanish with confidence. He just watched a man die for not hitting me hard enough and had the audacity to block Carlos? “I’m sorry, sir. You should leave her, sir. It will make your story more credible. If she’s beaten too badly, they might suspect a setup.”
I hold my breath.
With a snarl, he shoves the guard, who topples into me.
“Fine. Get the bitch out of here. We don’t have time for any more bullshit.” I blink in surprise. One of his men defended me, and he… allowed it? Is there a shred of humanity left in him? Did my plea change him, or is he just wildly inconsistent?
I’ll remember the guard with the mark on his wrist.