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When a flicker of recognition sparks in his eyes, I continue to watch him, but he quickly masks it with a dark, almost empty stare.
Do I know him?
The man next to my father speaks into the microphone, listing off my characteristics like I’m a prized cow at the market. Words like, “Submissive. Brown eyes. Black hair. Both holes broken in,” spill from the man’s lips while my stomach churns.
When the room starts spinning and I begin to lose my grip on reality, I focus on the familiar man in the back row. His eyes don’t meet mine again, but he raises his paddle and outbids every single man who bids for me. “Twenty thousand”, “Thirty thousand”, “Eighty thousand”, until the old man declares me “Sold!”
My father approaches me, his eyes full of mirth, his smile sadistic. “Congratulations, Isadora. You’ve finally done me proud.”
“You’re a monster.” I want to shout it, but it comes out as a whisper.
My father smiles. “That’s exactly what your mother said before she took her last breath.”
With a wave of his hand, I’m led off the stage and into another empty room where I stand alone for hours, watching thehands of the clock on the wall tick by, minute by excruciating minute.
Chapter 11
Isadora
At 5a.m. Diego walks through the door, locking it behind him.
I step back until my back is against the cold wall, arms crossed over my chest.
Diego paces the room and rubs a hand over the back of his neck before he finally comes to a stop in front of me.
His eyes never stray from mine, and in his deep brown stare I see something I’ve only seen one other time in his life.Heartbreak.
Six years ago…
I opened the front door and smiled. “Hi Leila!” I almost couldn’t hold my excitement in. I was rarely allowed to leave the house, so when father said I could go to the movies with Diego and his girlfriend, I jumped at the chance.
Leila bounded inside, all blonde curls and pale blue eyes. She was wearing a yellow sundress covered in tiny daisies and a smile so bright it was almost blinding. Leila was happiness personified, a stark contrast to my brooding, ebony haired brother and his all-black wardrobe that consisted of suits, shirts, and dress shoes.
Diego entered the living room, his eyes only on Leila. It was the first and only time I’d ever seen him truly happy. He swept Leila into his arms and spun her around like she was a princess. Her curls swished over her shoulders, and her dress swayed around her knees.
Their foreheads met, noses touched, and matching wide smiles spread across their faces. When Diego cupped Leila’scheeks in his big hands and pressed a kiss to her waiting lips, my own cheeks blushed, and I averted my gaze.
“Diego!” Father’s voice boomed from upstairs, and Diego’s smile fell into a frown. He pecked Leila on the cheek. “Give me a minute, baby, I’ll be right back,” he whispered.
Leila smiled as Diego headed upstairs. She didn’t look away until his bedroom door closed with a soft snick.
When twenty minutes had passed and there was still no sign of my brother, or my father, I raced upstairs to tell Diego we’d be late for the movie.
I knocked softly on his door and waited. When he didn’t come out and I heard shouting, I opened it a crack and froze in place.
In the middle of the room, my father stood, the barrel of his gun held against my brother’s forehead.
My brother… My big brother that I looked up to and adored, who never showed any emotion other than calm indifference, was crying. Heavy tears trailed down his reddened cheeks.
“You love her?” My father scoffs. “Love makes you weak. Are you weak, Diego?”
Diego shook his head but said nothing.
“Remember who the fuck you are. You are Diego Santos, son of Manuel Santos, Head of Demonio de Hielo Cartel.” Father said. “There is no room for weakness in our world. Kill her, Diego… Kill her, or I’ll do it for you.”
Diego’s expression faltered, heartbreak, pain, and devastation were written all over his face.
His gaze found mine in the creak of the door and I shook my head silently begging him not to do this.
