I looked across the room at Lucia. She had come around shortly after I had, during what I assumed was the day before. It was hard to keep track of time in this goddamn basement. There was no natural light and we remained bound – all except for when we needed to use the bathroom – which was no more than a bucket in the corner. Lucia had at least been taken from the chair and allowed to sit on an old sofa bed on the other side of the room. She was still shackled to the floor.
She was pale and shaking now.
‘Are you okay, sweetheart?’ I asked her.
She nodded at me. ‘I just feel a little lightheaded.’
‘Hey, tattoos,’ I said to the man who seemed to be the one in charge out of the two men.
‘My name is Rafe,’ he replied with a grin and I swallowed. I didn’t want to know his name.
‘Can you let her get some fresh air? She’s six months pregnant.’
‘I can see that,’ he growled at me. ‘Not my problem.’
I sucked in a breath. ‘Whatever my husband has done, Rafe, this girl and her baby are entirely innocent.’
‘We won’t be hurting her or her baby, don’t worry,’ he snapped.
‘She’s just a kid, Rafe. Just let her outside for some air. She’s hardly going to escape with you two watching her, is she?’
He shook his head. ‘Boss says she’s to stay down here. But don’t worry, we’re not allowed to harm a hair on her pretty little head. You on the other hand,’ he licked his lips and my stomach turned. ‘You’re fair game. Just as soon as we have your husband where we want him.’
I swallowed a rush of bile.
‘My husband will cut off your balls,’ I snarled.
He scowled at me and stepped towards me with his hand raised, but he was disturbed by the ringing of his cell phone. He pulled it out of his pocket and held it to his ear. I listened to the one-sided conversation.
‘Yes, Boss?’
‘They’re fine. His puta is a mouthy bitch though I can’t wait to teach her a few manners.’
Laughter.
‘Well, of course he is. He’s a fool.’
‘No. He’ll never find them. Because he’ll never suspect you. Arrogant prick!’
‘We can do a few more days, yes.’
‘He’ll be on his knees. He’ll be ready to sell his soul by then.’
More laughter.
‘Adiós.’
Rafe turned to me with a grin on his face as he pocketed his cell phone. ‘Seems your husband is causing quite the stir looking for you, puta! He is causing world war three out there. But he isn’t even close to finding you, or discovering who is double crossing him.’
So, it was someone who Alejandro trusted behind this? Or Rafe wouldn’t have mentioned being double-crossed. Because your enemies didn’t stab you in the back – they looked you right in the eye as they twisted the knife.
‘He’ll find out soon enough. And then no-one will be able to protect you, Rafe. And if you know my husband at all, then you know that what I’m saying is true.’
I bit back a smile as I saw him wince.
‘Fuck you, puta!’ he hissed.
