3. Rosa
CHAPTER 3
Rosa
T he phone call with my parents killed any hope I had of getting out of this thing alive. The next day dwindles by and Vinny becomes unusually nice. He allows more time out of my room— and do I detect a note of sympathy when I don’t get an answer, or get my dad saying they don’t have the money? I think he starts to catch on that my parents aren’t reliable sources.
I wake up the following morning with several bags surrounding the bed. I panic until I spot a leopard print dress inside one of them. Cautiously. I stick my hand inside and am surprised to find that each bag is full of clothes. I jump out of bed and toss the clothes out. After sorting through them, I find fifteen dresses, ten tops, six miniskirts, four pairs of shoes, and two pairs of pants that look too big. I stare at the door with a lump forming in my throat.
He's gonna kill me, I admit to myself. This has to be some weird equivalent to a last meal in prison. This Vinny character is trying to paint himself as a nice guy before I’m brutally murdered. Tears well in my eyes and I sink to the floor. I hate the room and expensive clothes just as much as I hate my parents for getting me involved. I never wanted any of this.
A brisk knock makes me jump. The door unlocks and Vinny slowly opens the door. He grins at the sight of the clothes.
“Oh, good! You got the stuff,” he chirps. “I thought it would be better than those old pajamas you had on.”
I hold up a shiny, leopard print top. “I know my mom is Italian but how Italian do you think I am?”
Vinny chuckles. “The lady said they were the latest fashions.
“Who did you speak to? Snooki? Half the cast of Jersey Shore?” I snap. I roll my eyes but catch myself as Vinny shoves his hands in his pockets. “I…thank you. It is better than my dirty pajamas.”
I could slap myself for feeling bad about my tone. This jerk kidnapped me and here I am trying to be thankful for the new wardrobe that’ll make me look like a Jersey Shore reject.
Vinny moves closer but pauses when I jolt back. “I want you to feel comfortable.”
“Before you kill me?” I ask sharply.
“I can’t tell you what their plans are—”
“ Their plans ?” I repeat. “So, you’re taking orders and don’t know what’s gonna happen next?”
Vinny sighs. “Yes, technically.”
“Great, so this is just a little side gig for you, huh? You’re figuring it out while I wait every day to see if I’m gonna get shot in the head?” I scream.
I don’t care if he did something nice. I want to get the hell out of this shithole and I want him to pay for what he did to me.
Vinny steps closer, this time with his finger pointed at me. A dark look glazes over his eyes as his breathing becomes jagged.
“Watch it, kid,” he says.
“Or what? I already know what happens with this kind of thing. Did you think you could make me feel better if you bought me stuff?” I ask with a bitter laugh. I plop on the side of the bed defeatedly.
“Well, go on. Get it over with! Do what you people always do with women you capture,” I cry out. Vinny’s anger dissipates. He steps back with his eyes softening. For some reason, this pisses me off more.
“Do it!” I scream as I grab one of the red, peep-toe pumps from the new wardrobe, and hurl it at him. It lands on his hand and Vinny winces. I decide to grab the other, this time aiming at his head. Vinny dodges it and holds his hands up.
“Alright, you need to take a breath,” he orders.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” I roar as I grab a pair of jeans and throw it. Vinny closes in and pushes me onto my back with my arms pinned above my head.
“Listen, I’ve seen sick shit and grown up with some dark people, but I’m not that kind of man,” he assures me.
“Yeah, right. I bet that’s what you always say.” I retort.
“I’m not letting go until you chill out,” he continues. “We’re both in this situation and we have to deal with it.” Hot, angry tears roll down my face. I feel heat take over my legs and face and before I know it, I’m sobbing hysterically. Vinny finally lets go as I cry into the sheets. It only takes a few seconds for me to realize the real culprit of the anger and tears. Sure, Vinny kidnapped me and got me ugly clothes, but none of this would be my reality if it weren’t for my parents.
“I just wanted to be normal,” I whimper in between sobs. “I finally got into college and was going to join the film club.”
Vinny is sitting on the side of the bed and nods. “Do you like movies?”
I wipe my face. “All I had were movies when I was a kid. We were always facing eviction or my dad slinging drugs. Nothing was ever solid except movies.”
Vinny pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket and I take it graciously. “I really loved The Breakfast Club ,” Vinny admits.
I dab my puffy eyes. “Let me guess, you’re a Bender.”
He surprises me as he shakes his head and says, “More of a basket case. I wasn’t popular in high school.”
“Yeah right. You’re all cool with the tattoos and you’re obviously hot,” I say too quickly without stopping myself.
Vinny squints his eyes. “Hot?”
“I bet you have like fifteen girls in your phone right now,” I continue.
“Not saved,” he says with a shrug. “But that’s never been important. It’s hard to date as a Montoya.” I fold the handkerchief in my hands as I remember who I’m talking to. Everyone knows the Montoya family, but it’s rare to actually see one of them. I had no idea what any of them looked like until eight months ago when the most notorious one got busted. Seeing his huge frame scared me to my core. It was just my luck that my parents messed with the wrong people.
Suddenly, I feel butterflies in my stomach.
“Why…why were my parents dealing with your, uh, people?” I decide to ask. It’s the only thing I can do since I have no other information. The last time I saw my parents they were scrambling to make ends meet and kept telling me to stay alert. I wish I’d asked more questions.
Vinny pulls away, turning his back to me. “I thought you’d know.”
“My parents don’t tell me anything,” I say.
He rises from the bed. “Not sure it’ll do you any good then.” Vinny walks towards the door with the soft, empathetic gleam in his eyes gone. “All that matters is that your folks return that money.”
I feel a sinking feeling. “And if not?”
Vinny places his hand on the doorknob and walks out without another word. The tears well up again. I’m so screwed.