Page 76

Fuck, note to self. Don’t take a fucking knee to the temple. Time to take stock.

In case I had company, I kept my movements discreet. My hands were back behind my back; there was no wiggle room or knife hidden in my bra this time. But the silver lining was that my legs were left free, and they hadn’t strung my arms up. They must have turned on the camera after I escaped my restraints. Why else repeat the same mistake? My eyes flew open at the sound of someone entering.

“Por qué mí Muñeca? Why would you anger me like this?” Mario asked.

His typically polished appearance was disheveled. It looked like he’d attempted to pull tufts of hair out at the roots. The top four buttons on his shirt were missing, and blood was splattered on the front. I swallowed a gasp when his eyes met mine—he looked crazed.

I didn’t know what Mario would do to me. Would his fucked-up love for me be enough to spare my life? Or maybe it would be the reason he ended it.

“Fuck you, Mario. Anger you? You and Sergio are the ones who decided to go behind my back and plan against me.” My voice shook. But not with fear—with pure rage.

It was their fault I was here, strapped to a chair, bleeding. How dare he speak to me as if I brought this upon myself?

A cruel laugh left Mario’s lips. “Sergio? You think he was a part of this?” He moved closer, gently running his fingers along my face, smearing my blood. Staring at me like I was a prized possession. “Tell me, Muñeca, haven’t you wondered why Sergio isn’t answering when you call him?” He narrowed his eyes. “Always a good little pseudo daughter, weren’t you?” he asked, his voice laced with venom.

His words gave me pause. I had wondered why Sergio wasn’t answering. I assumed he was avoiding me. Sergio sanctioning the hit on the Skeletons after partnering with them was a part of the puzzle that never seemed to fit. My lack of an answer spurred Mario on, his sadistic grin growing.

“He was weak,” he shouted, causing me to flinch slightly.

Fuck, he’s unraveling.

It made him unpredictable. And I wasn’t confident he wouldn’t hurt me.

“He wanted to let you go, Muñeca. He said you deserved to be free of Los Muertos…of me.” He spat as his fingers found the cut hidden in my hairline, pressing the fresh wound. I hissed but refused to give him anything more.

“We couldn’t have that now, could we? But now I see it; he wanted to take you from me.” Mario nodded his head vigorously, answering his rhetorical question. He grasped a handful of hair at my crown with his free hand and wrenched my head so I was forced to look at him. He smiled at the discomfort he knew he was causing me. It was then that I noticed his pupils were blown, and he was twitching his nose.

“That’s why he hired the Skeletons to begin with, even though I told him—I told him we were losing money not being in the skin game. But he didn’t listen!” he roared.

“Where is he, Mario?” I asked, but I knew the answer.

Bloody fingers stroked my face in a caress before squeezing my jaw so tightly my teeth cut into my cheeks.

“He’s gone, Muñeca. I’m the kingpin of Los Muertos. And you, my queen. As soon as I remind you of your place.” As the words left his mouth, he pressed his lips to mine.

I yanked my head back in disgust. “Fuck you, Mario.” I slammed my head into his.

He roared out in pain, blood pouring from his nose. I smiled, my teeth coated in blood.

“Eat a dick, Mario. I’m not your queen. I’m La Brujita, here to reap your soul for El Diablo.”

He paced in front of me, looking like a caged animal. Swiping at the blood still dripping from his obviously broken nose. “What, do you think that man wants you?” Mario motioned up and down my body with his hand. “No, Muñeca. He doesn’t have the decency to tell you the truth. You don’t know him at all, and you think he cares for you?” A cruel laugh left his lips. “You’re a distraction, a warm cunt to stick his dick into while biding his time. But don’t worry. He’ll be gone soon too.”

I saw red at his words. Threatening me did nothing, but I wouldn’t let him harm Gunner. I threw my body out of the chair, running at Mario with a battle cry. Our bodies connected, sending us sprawling to the floor. I used Mario’s body to break the fall since my arms were still restrained behind my back. Rolling to my side, I tried to get to my feet before Mario could figure out how to pin me down.

Fuck, this was what caring for people got you. Fighting with your hands literally tied behind your back.

It was a good thing Mario’s ass was high, and he’d never been in a fight in his life.

“He was telling the truth, Mario. I do yell out his name when he fucks me,” I sneered, trying to keep him distracted while I figured out what the hell to do.

“You stupid bitch.” He shook his head as he stood. “Which one of his names is it, you yell out?” he asked—a cold smirk on his face.

Before I could comprehend the shit coming out of Mario’s mouth, an explosion sounded through the building, sending me careening to the side. My shoulder and hip slammed onto the concrete floor. The lights cut out, kicking on the emergency red lighting, and the door to the interrogation room was thrown open. Hope filled my body. Maybe Nikki got to Gunner, and they were here for me. But that hope was dashed when it was another member of Mario’s assholes.

“Boss, there’s major trouble. The building is under attack.”

Shouts came from the hallway, and a body ran past the open door every few moments. Mario turned his back to me and seemed to be weighing his options as to what to do. Careful not to draw attention to myself, I worked on putting my legs through my shackled arm loop. My hands might still be zip-tied, but having them in front of my body would be an improvement.