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Massimo would probably be gentle with her. He would coax her into his bed, just like he’d fooled me.
How could I be so stupid? I’d spent years engaged to George, when all he’d done was take me for granted and ultimately put my life at risk for his own gain. And I’d run straight into the arms of a different monster. Massimo had never hidden his mafia ties from me, and that had engendered some sort of twisted trust between us.
But just because he didn’t hide his crimes didn’t absolve him. He’d shown me who he really was tonight.
The diamonds chafed against my skin, as though the precious metal that encased them had been dipped in acid. I clawed at the clasp, desperate to get the sign of his ownership off my neck.
The clasp opened, and I dropped the necklace to the polished hardwood floor as though it’d burned me. I placed my hand on my bare throat, reassuring myself that the awful weight was gone.
I drew in several deep breaths, struggling to tame my tangled thoughts.
Berating myself for my foolishness wouldn’t save me.
For the first time, Massimo had left me alone. He obviously believed that I was thoroughly under his control, and he could amuse himself elsewhere while I obediently waited for his return.
Stefano had promised that no one would dare to cross the threshold to get to me—this was Adrián’s mansion, and I fully believed that no one would challenge the sadistic cartel kingpin.
But he hadn’t locked me in from the outside. There was nothing to stop me from leaving this place.
From the little I’d seen of the town and its jungle surroundings, I knew that we were somewhere very remote. But I’d also seen men in military uniforms patrolling the streets. There was a chance they were loyal to Adrián, but that didn’t mean they were loyal to Massimo.
I was an American citizen who had been kidnapped by a mafia boss. Massimo hadn’t seemed to care about the threat that US law enforcement posed to his organization, but I bet the local officials would. If I could get to one of the soldiers and tell them about my plight, they would contact the American authorities. I could go home.
George would still be in Mexico City, looking for me. But I’d be safely back in Albuquerque, under federal protection, by the time he found out that I’d been rescued. I could tell the DEA the truth about George’s corruption. He’d be arrested, and he wouldn’t be able to kill me to keep his terrible secret.
I didn’t know how long Massimo would be distracted by the poor girl he’d purchased like an object rather than a human being.
Maybe I could convince the authorities to save her too.
Before I could lose my nerve, I gathered my composure and slipped out into the night. Humid air drew a sheen of sweat to the surface of my skin within seconds, but I ignored the discomfort. My dress was lightweight enough that I wouldn’t overheat—Massimo had made sure to dress me up like his little doll, a pretty toy he liked to adorn with silk and gems.
The black silk clung to my sticky skin as I hurried through the empty streets. At this late hour, no one seemed to frequent the wealthy, small neighborhood.
Maybe all of the residents were at that awful club.
I shuddered and shoved the awful memories from my mind before the agony of Massimo’s betrayal could overwhelm me again.
I rounded a corner, and my heart leapt into my throat. Two men in military fatigues strolled down the street, which clearly divided the wealthy neighborhood from the more impoverished part of town. The buildings opposite me were painted in fading pastels and built in crumbling stucco. Behind me, the mansions seemed more garish and incongruous than ever.
The men spotted me and quickened their pace, closing the distance between us in a few long strides. I squared my shoulders and met them halfway, refusing to show weakness or fear. I would get back home, and these men would help me. Calm competence would serve me better than desperate tears.
“I need your help,” I said in Spanish, speaking clearly and firmly. “I’m an American citizen, and I’ve been brought here against my will. I need to contact the authorities so that I can get back home. Can you please take me to your superior officer or someone who can help me do this?”
One of the men blinked, as though he was completely taken aback. I supposed the entire situation was a bit bizarre. I wore an expensive gown and designer heels, but I was wandering around the streets alone at night. And I spoke fluent Spanish despite the obvious American accent I couldn’t quite smooth away, despite all of my practice with the language.
They might’ve been more inclined to immediately assist me if I’d been in obvious distress, but I didn’t dare let my composure waver. Dissolving into hysterics would only dull my focus, and I needed my wits about me if I was going to get away from Massimo.
“Who brought you here?” the one who wasn’t utterly bewildered asked, his eyes roving over me in a way that set my teeth on edge.
“A man who kidnapped me when I was visiting Mexico City,” I replied as evenly as I could. The way he was looking at me made the back of my neck prickle with instinctive warning, but I couldn’t give up now. I’d exposed myself, and I had to see this through.
I didn’t want to tell them about Massimo. They might know about his friendship with Adrián, and there was a good chance that Adrián paid them to look the other way when he did business here.
I focused my attention on the dumbstruck one, sensing less danger from him. He would be more likely to assist me than the one who studied me with predatory interest. “Will you help me? I just want to go home.”
“Come with us,” the dangerous one commanded.
I hesitated, keeping my eyes on the quiet one. “Please?”
