Page 74
“But… why?”
“Because.” He grabs my arm, squeezing hard. I yelp as the pain flares brightly. He’s pressing down on my stitches and it feels like they’re going to tear open all over again. “You’ve always been a worthless cunt, Marisol. Remember when I nearly killed that dumb boyfriend of yours? I should’ve finished him off, but Dad’s orders were explicit. God, I’ve been dreaming about doing the same thing to you. Smashing in your fucking pretty face. I should burn your cheek right here and now.”
“Let go of me,” I say, groaning at the agony.
“Listen, you stupid cunt. If you make trouble for me, I’ll kill Cruz. Do you understand?”
“You… you tried… to kill me and Bass…”
“And if you say a word to my father, I’ll cut your brother’s throat. I’ll do Javi too. Can you imagine that? I bet Javi will apologize for getting blood on my clothes, that pathetic fucking loser.” He laughs, his breath reeking of cigar stink. “You can’t touch me. Your husband can’t either. You try and the corridor is done. My father is barely involved. He has no fucking idea what’s happening out there, but I do. Make sure Bass understands. I’m untouchable, and I will fucking ruin you both if you try to make my life hard, do you hear me?”
Fuck, this is crazy. Ruben tried to kill us, and now he’s acting like we’re the ones who attacked him. But the pain is too much and all I can do is nod stupidly, so scared I can barely control myself.
“See? That’s a good bitch.” He shoves me away and smokes his cigar. “Now go inside. Your husband’s back. Don’t make a fucking scene.”
I want to scream at him. I want to stand up for myself. Instead, I turn and run, throwing open the sliding door and leaping into the living room.
“Mari?” Bass comes over instantly. He’s so attuned to my feelings he knows I’m on edge. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I say, heart still racing. “I saw a skunk and freaked out.”
Bass’s mouth tips downward and he looks past me out into the darkness. I have no idea if he can see Ruben or not.
“Careful there,” Don Nardo says happily. “Those skunks can be nasty little buggers. You’ll have to take a bath in tomatoes to get the stink out!” He laughs and offers to refill my drink.
Ruben never shows up for dinner. Tía Graciela looks strangely relieved. The meal is delicious but I can’t seem to make myself enjoy it. Not when Ruben’s words ring through my head.
Conversation is dull but friendly. I do my best to participate even though it’s clear my aunt and uncle don’t have any interest in what I say. Bass is polite and even charming at points.
When it’s over, Bass puts a hand on my thigh in the back seat of the car, gripping tight. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I say, calm after a couple glasses of wine. “What did you and my uncle talk about in the wine cellar?”
“Business. Nothing new.” His expression hardens. “There wasn’t a skunk.”
I take a breath and tell him everything. As I talk the fury in him grows bleak. “You can’t do anything about it.”
“Watch me.”
“Bass, I’m serious. This is about keeping Cruz safe. And you need that corridor thing, right?”
His jaw works as he looks out the window. “Yes.”
“Ruben thinks he’s the one running it.”
“He’s right. Don Nardo is a soft old man. I’m surprised I didn’t realize it until tonight, but he was asking me questions he should’ve known the answers to.”
“Shit.” I lean back against my seat. “So he wasn’t kidding. Ruben really is in charge.”
“And if I kill him—” Bass doesn’t finish the sentence, but I can imagine a whole host of terrible repercussions.
We’re trapped.
Ruben wants to torture me and there’s nothing we can do.
He’ll try to kill us again eventually, and unless Bass can find a way to stop him, one day he’ll succeed.
23
