TEASER
“My name is Lucia,” the girl sputters as I tie her other wrist to the opposite bed post. “I’m nineteen years old. I have a dog named Toto, you know from The Wizard of Oz .” She chokes out a nervous laugh. “My papá, or dad . You guys say dad, don’t you?”
She pauses like she’s actually waiting for me to respond. It’s cute, what she’s doing. Trying to get me to empathize with her. Trying to humanize herself. It’s like she read the first page of a “what to do if you’re kidnapped” manual.
“Anyway, my dad hated the movie. It drove him crazy that I loved it. Do you like movies?”
I move on to tying one of her ankles to a bedpost, noting how forcefully she tries to fight me parting her legs even while trying to make friendly conversation.
So, so cute.
“Your name’s Luka, right?”
Dirt rubs from the bottom of her bare foot onto my palm. They’re filthy. She’s filthy from sitting in the dirt. I should’ve washed her first.
“I really like that name. It’s strong, handsome. You look like a Luka.”
This I can’t help but snicker at. I give her a brief glance before moving onto her other ankle. She struggles, her thighs squeezing while she whines, but her legs fully part without much effort from me. She closes her eyes and cries.
“I’m serious,” she says through a sob when I’m finishing up the knot. “The only reason I didn’t pick you was because you’re so intimidating. Your friend isn’t as—as—as rugged as you are.”
I can’t believe she’s still trying.
I pull the knot tight then take off my shirt.
“Please don’t do this,” the girl cries. “Por favor, por favor.”
When I crawl onto the bed, she tips her head toward the ceiling and sucks in a deep breath to scream. She manages to belt out half the word help before I’m on top of her, my pelvis against hers, three fingers stabbed between her teeth. The opportunity to bit me leaves in a flash as I fit my hand into her mouth to part her jaw. Saliva coats my hand as she breathes hoarsely against it, her frightful eyes staring into mine.
“Now what did we say about screaming?” I ask, my head tipped in admonishment. She whimpers in response. “I like hearing your pretty voice. I don’t mind you talking. But I also wouldn’t mind fucking your corpse, and that’s exactly what I’ll do if you scream again… Should I go get my ax?”