Chapter 14 #3
Layla said nothing. Just sat there broken and silent.
Although I was heartbroken for Layla, I felt the color drain from my face. I was going to take her place tonight. The ass-hole was beyond cruel to her, and now that was my fate. He was not made of human flesh.
He had to be some sort of fucking demon.
His voice took on a sharper tone, making me shudder with revulsion. "Now stop looking so glum," he sneered.
He clapped his hands, his tone mocking.
"You're all going to have glorious lives."
He threw his head back and laughed.
That sound, cold and loud—shook me to my core.
Becca wept quietly beside me. Layla looked shattered, and I felt like I had just been kicked in the ribs.
Hector stood, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small silver key and walked over to Becca first. He unlocked the collar from around her throat and threw it aside. Then he came to me and did the same.
I immediately scratched the hell out of my neck.
It was fucking itchy, and it drove me crazy the whole time I wore the annoying thing. I was happy he finally removed it. Becca dug at her skin, leaving multiple red streaks behind.
He looked at Layla.
"Go to your room. The guards standing outside will escort you.
Take a shower. You'll be spending the next week in my brother's room, and you will do anything they ask.
They've been warned not to go too far. Be thankful I at least care that much.
You will also please my customers next week when they arrive.
Having attended two parties in the past, you're aware of what the event entails, but my two new whores have no idea what they're in for. Now get the fuck out of here!"
Layla shot to her feet, head bowed, tears sliding down her cheeks as she shuffled toward the door. I watched her go, my heart ached for her.
She didn't deserve this. None of us did.
But Juan and Julio? I think they're much worse than Hector. They didn't seem able to control themselves unless their brother was there supervising. Juan was the worst. She wouldn't just be used; they would shatter her into a million broken pieces.
That goddamn voice thundered through the kitchen again.
"You two, shower. Twenty minutes is all you have, then birth control today."
He grinned wickedly.
"We don't want any unwanted pregnancies," he said, smirking, "though I may make an exception for you, green eyes. I have no children. A son with those eyes would be a magnificent gift."
You smug bastard!
That's what you think, motherfucker!
My implant is good for three years! You ain't getting shit.
Unless this piece of trash decided to put me on birth control, I wasn't saying a word about the little rod in my arm. The last thing on earth I wanted was his kid.
The thought repulsed me to no end.
Hector nodded toward us as Beck and I sat still, stunned and silent. His plans were too much to take in at once.
"What the hell did I say?" he barked. Get your asses in the shower before I backhand both of you. I haven't got all fucking day!"
His cell rang.
He turned to answer it.
We bolted, heading straight for the bathroom. I saw an opportunity—he'd be distracted, and I needed to talk to Becca.
We stepped under the spray together. She was a mess. Slashes painted her arms, stomach and thighs. Her skin was covered with jagged cuts. I stared at her, the shine in her eyes long gone.
The first thing I did was wash the hell out of my neck. It was raw; the collar had destroyed my skin to the point of madness. Becca did the same. Both of us scrubbed as if we could erase everything that had happened.
I listened for Hector's voice, making sure he was still on the phone, then leaned toward her.
Keeping my voice low, I whispered over the water, so dickhead wouldn't hear.
""Layla told me Juan and Julio were the ones who kidnapped us. They were at the club the night we got hammered. I don’t have time to explain everything, but I need you to know: Atlas had nothing to do with this. He tried to warn me about how dangerous it was out there. I didn’t listen. And now… here we are."
Becca looked at me, and for the briefest second, a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"It doesn't even matter anymore, Kit. We're screwed as far as I'm concerned."
She dropped her gaze, fists tightened at her sides.
"I need you to know something," she said quietly.
"I don't plan on living like this. Not for much longer.
His brothers have beaten me, tortured me, pissed on me, slashed me and even manged to fuck me when they weren't supposed to…
and now they're going to rape me daily in every open orifice of my body for two weeks before possibly selling me to some sadist motherfucker who gets off on making people bleed.
" Her voice cracked. Tears slid down her cheeks.
"I love you, Kitlyn Menard, but I am not sticking around for more of this shit. Hector will die before I take my life. I know where the knives are locked up in the kitchen, and I don't give a fuck about the guards. My throat will be opened up before they can stop me."
I grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her until her head snapped. Keeping my voice as low as possible, I let her have it. There was no way in hell I would allow her to end her life.
She was losing it, and it terrified me.
"Don't you fucking dare talk like that!" I hissed. You will not kill yourself. We are getting out of here. I know Atlas is looking for us. I can feel it! You don't know him like I do, Becca. He will find us. Just hang on a little longer."
She flinched as she gently ran soap over her wounds, then gave me a sad look.
"Again, I love you, Kit, but I don't think your guy is coming, and I don't have it in me to live like this anymore. I've submitted, kept quiet and done everything I was told—and the torture just gets worse."
She pointed at her battered body.
"Do you think this is a life? I didn't fall in love with our tormentor, like you did. I hate the bastard's guts, and when the time comes, I'll make sure both of us are gone before I let him or his brothers get near me again!"
We were running out of time.
Hector expected us back in the kitchen shortly.
I grabbed Beck's hands, pleading with all I had.
"Please Becca. I am begging you. Don't do anything stupid.
I'll try to talk to Hector—get him to keep you away from those assholes.
We'll come up with a plan. There has to be a way to stop him from selling you.
You're all I've got, and even if I die trying, I will do my best to keep you here with me.
I know we will be rescued. Please trust me. "
She stared at me unblinking, but her expression was hard.
My voice was still a low whisper.
"Just two weeks ago you told me to shut up and behave," I pressed on. "You brought up the punishment and reward system. I listened and followed your advice. Now you're giving up? You can't. I need you with me. I can't do this without you." Her lip curled, but her eyes welled up again.
"That was before the trainings turned into straight-up torture. There's no reward anymore. What? A piece of bread and some fucking chicken? There is nothing but more pain with no escape. No end."
She hadn't gone through the experience of having food withheld from her, but I understood where she was coming from, so I left it alone.
I was more concerned about her knocking on heaven's door than about her fucking comment.
She started crying; her tears trickling down the drain.
"I'm tired, Kit. My body is broken. There's nothing left inside. I am sorry. If I get the chance, I'll take it. Now I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Before I could respond, Hector's voice roared from the other room. "Let's fucking go! I have an emergency to take care of. Get your asses out here now!"
Becca shut off the water and stepped out without looking at me again. She dried off and walked to the kitchen, where Hector waited. My friend was serious, and I had to figure out a way to keep her away from Juan and Julio so she didn't sink deeper into the darkness.
The monster's voice pricked my ears again.
"Green eyes. I'm going to kick your ass if you aren't standing in front of me in two minutes!"
I worked frantically, drying myself off as quickly as possible, trying to come up with a plan to keep Becca away from the other two assholes.
Hector was already pissed off by the time I stood in front of him. “What the fuck took you so long?” he snapped.
I wiped my forehead, faking a flush of illness.
“Sorry... I’m not feeling well.”
His eyes raked over me. He rubbed his chin.
“What the fuck’s the matter with you?”
I pressed my fingers to my temples and frowned.
"I feel dizzy and my stomach’s upset.”
He groaned, scratching his head in frustration.
“Great. I’ve got serious shit to deal with, and now you’re fucking sick?” He stepped closer, lips grazing my ear.
“I’ve got things to handle, so I’m leaving you two here while I’m gone for a bit.”
He turned to Becca, standing naked with her eyes glued to the floor. He snapped his fingers.
“Look at me,” he barked. Becca lifted her head slowly.
Her face was unreadable, but her gaze held him.
He smiled as he rubbed my shoulder.
“Look, green eyes. I never noticed before, but cry baby's eyes are a nice icy blue. You know how many people would drop hundreds of thousands for babies with green or blue eyes?”
This motherfucker is out of his mind.
“There may be a change of plans for you two,” he continued.
“I can make a hell of a lot more selling babies.
And if those little bastards come out with rare eyes?
Double the price. Nobody gives a shit who the parents are—they just want the kid.
There are thousands of childless couples willing to pay top dollar to have a baby. "
He pulled away and slapped me on the ass.
I yelped, startled.
“No birth control for either of you just yet. Becca, you won’t be visiting the red room today. Take care of green eyes while I am gone. Don't bank on it one hundred percent, but I may not sell you after all.”
His deranged laugh echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls.
“I think we’d have more fun making babies instead. Even pregnant, you’ll still be useful. A swollen belly won't deter them from fucking either of you. It doesn't matter to me which hole they use. That triples the money I can make on you two bitches.”
He pointed at us.
“Clean this place up. My guards are outside the door. No fucking ideas. They’ve got orders to kill if you try to run.”
Before I could even react, there was a knock, then the guard stepped inside.
“Sorry to interrupt, sir, but we’ve got a bigger problem.”
Hector balled his fists.
“What the fuck is it now?”
The guard gulped nervously.
“After the report this morning, we dug deeper. Turns out it wasn’t just one facility. Six houses have been burned to the ground. Guards dead. Girls gone. All the camera footage was destroyed.”
Hector’s face darkened. He rubbed his forehead, brooding.
“Punishing my brothers caused this. They’re my front men….they check on the houses regularly.”
His tone turned sharp.
“I want to know why the fuck this took so long to reach me.” The guard’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Your scouts haven’t reached the houses until today. It’s the slow season, sir. And since no one knows your location, it took time to coordinate communication. But… someone’s coming for you. Someone with a vendetta.”
My heart lurched.
Atlas.
God, please let it be him.
But Hector didn’t look convinced.
He rubbed his jaw, pacing.
“I haven’t fucked over any cartels, haven't killed anyone related….I’m stumped.”
Then, with a snap of his fingers-
“Maybe it's other traffickers. Easier to steal what isn’t yours than hunt fresh meat.”
He cracked his knuckles, grinning.
“Yeah. That’s what it is.”
My heart sank.
What if he’s right?
What if it’s not Atlas?
I stood silently beside Becca, both of us naked, heads down. I prayed Hector wouldn’t take out his frustration on us for what happened to his brothers or the destruction of his torture houses. He and the guard began speaking in Spanish, and I lost the conversation.
Still, my mood lifted slightly. He said Becca might not be sold. That meant something.
Breeding wasn’t a threat, not for either of us. I had a hidden implant good for three years, and I’ve taken Becca to get her Depo shot a few times. I’m glad she didn't tell him she was already on birth control. It would be our little secret.
She had two more months of protection left. If Atlas came soon, we’d be okay.
The guard was dismissed. Hector walked over and stood between us, his face unreadable.
Is this where he beats us because of what happened to Juan and Julio?
“On your knees. Both of you.”
We obeyed immediately. If this was how I could keep Becca from being sold, I’d play along. If he wanted to dry fuck me for hours, I’d take it; as long as she stayed with me.
He grabbed two new collars—thinner, lighter, less metal. He locked them around our necks, the clicking of the mechanism sealing our fates.
He stepped back, rubbing his hands together.
“Up. Get moving. Clean the dishes, dust, vacuum, and handle the laundry. I’ll return when I return. No screwing around. No escape plans. If you cause trouble, you’ll spend the next month in my brother's room.”
He looked at Becca’s wounds and smirked.
“And we all know how treacherous those two can be. I have to be present sometimes just to stop them from mutilating their toys beyond recognition.”
He nodded at her.
“Well, you know. I’ve saved your ass a few times from becoming ground-up chicken.”
Then he grabbed my face and kissed me. Quick, possessive. He did the same to Becca and walked out.
I exhaled a shaky breath.
At least for now… she’s safe.
My eyes met Becca’s. A faint shimmer flickered behind her tears. It was enough to keep me from falling apart.
We hadn’t worn clothes since the day we had arrived. I wondered if we’d even recognize what fabric felt like on our skin.
I smiled faintly and whispered, “Safe for now, my friend. Let’s get this place cleaned before he comes back.”
She nodded, reaching for the vacuum.
I turned to the kitchen and started the dishes, my hope resting on a single prayer:
Please, Atlas… come get us out of this nightmare.