Very good, his voice was almost a purr. I told my men to collect you. It was fortuitous that my men chose to follow my instructions. He looked toward the man with respect issues who was leaning against the far wall. Caesar, he likes to inflict pain. He couldve shot your companion, and that would have been more blood on your hands.

I closed my eyes for a moment. I sent a silent thank you for our luck regarding Ryans safety.

Enough with the niceties, Javier. A third man joined us. He had to be a Moreno. I was starting to see the family resemblance. They all had slender builds and soulless, dark eyes.

We are not monsters, Mateo. Mrs. Shepherd has been respectful, except for the slice to Caesars cheek. We were simply getting to know one another. Javier glanced back at me and I wanted to disappear.

Mateo moved closer until he stood over me. He smelled like cheap cologne and sweat. Who ordered the hit on my brother, b.i.t.c.h? He grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked my head back at a sharp angle.

I-I dont know, I said, answering honestly.

He jerked my head again, and the chair tipped back onto two legs. Was it Forde? Did he order my brother killed?

Some of his spittle landed on my cheek. It felt like acid against my skin. No, he said no.

I heard Javier chuckle. I like that you asked him, chica. You sleep with danger, you should recognize it.

Then it was Vador. Mateo still held my hair, but let the chair fall back to all four legs.

I dont know. My voice broke.

Marlena, Id like to call you Marlena? Javier came back into my line of sight. Id like to think youre being truthful, but I am unsure. His voice was hypnotic. Gentle, yet I felt a tear slide down my cheek.

Cut her, Mateo spit out. Make her tell us what she knows.

Javier smiled, and I felt my stomach drop. He made a few tsk noises. So impetuous, my cousin. Lets try another way, first.

Mateo let go of my hair, and I tried to roll my neck to relieve the pain. Now, it was Javier standing over me.

Tell me how Juan ended up dead, he asked in that silky tone.

I dug my chin into my chest. I felt my hold on my emotions give way. I dont know who did it. I didnt want him to die.

Javier shook his head slowly. Marlena, you live with Lucas Forde, and you work at Limited. Am I supposed to believe you asked no more questions? He raised his eyebrows.

I shook my head negatively.

A smart woman like you might overhear something, no? He ran his finger over my ear.

I fought the urge to yank my head away from his touch. I dont know anything.

Now, that is disappointing. He took something out of his pocket. A knife! He opened it. The blade was long and shiny.

I knew nothing about knives, but something told me he was comfortable with it in his hand. He held it up so I could clearly see it. He enjoyed this part, terrorizing me.

Marlena, are you sure you dont know anything? Maybe a little cut might help you remember a detail? Hands were gripping my hair again.

I tried to prepare for the pain, fisting my hands. I felt the knifes edge run along my cheek, right at my hairline. It stung, but I didnt cry out.

He chuckled deep in his throat. Very good, you didnt flinch. That could be unfortunate, making my hand slip.

Javier continued playing with me. My blood had soaked the neckline of my t-shirt and the hair around my face. I stopped answering him. It didnt matter. I didnt have any answers.

I tried to escape to a safe place in my head. I used to do it when I was a kid and I was scared. Id hide under the bed or in my closet and imagine that I was in a different place. A picture of what Tony and Zoes cabin looked like started to form, and then became clear. Shed told me that the backyard rolled down to a creek. I liked the idea of that. I made it beautiful. Id never had the chance to live in the country.

This is going nowhere, cousin, Mateos angry voice broke into my beautiful mental escape.

Perhaps, you are correct, Javier answered.

Set up the camera. Lets end this and get out of here. Mateo was pacing back and forth.

Im sorry, Marlena. You seem like a nice lady, but a man must make the most of an opportunity, no?

I swear Javier wanted me to agree. Oh, h.e.l.l no, I wasnt going to agree to anything that was going to cause me more damage. What are you going to do? I sounded defeated. I already knew I wasnt going to like his answer.

Well make a video and send it to Forde. Of course, h.e.l.l believe Vador was responsible, and h.e.l.l take care of him. With Vador out of the way, Ill become the king. Javier smiled as if he had just put together a master plan.

Mateo was doing something to the camera, putting it on a tripod.

Javier cut the tie anchoring my left hand, then lifted my hand and opened my fingers slowly caressing each one. He grasped my little finger and pushed it backwards until it popped.

I didnt scream. Yeah, I made a sound, but I did my best to swallow it. I wasnt going to make Forde hurt. I knew he would watch this over and over, probably trying to find a way to blame himself.

So brave, Javier chuckled, and this time he took my thumb.

That f.u.c.king hurt, I moaned, and it made my dry throat ache. I made a decision to act. It was out of anger, but I wasnt going to sit there and endure having bones broken until this s.a.d.i.s.t had had enough. Your conclusion is wrong, I said, panting the words.

Javier stopped stroking my throbbing hand. How so, Marlena?

I hated the way he said my name, like a caress. Forde wont stop with Vador. h.e.l.l take out anyone a.s.sociated with the Cancerberos. h.e.l.l torch the earth. Nothing and no one will be safe.

That kind of damage would draw attention to him, Javier purred, ignoring my warning.

Forde wont care. If you kill me, he wont care about himself. h.e.l.l get his vengeance no matter the cost. I met his eyes. I believed it. My man was a warrior.

We shall see, or rather I will. He laughed, and it was terrifying.

Mateo, Javier called as he wiped his knife on my chest. Since you caused his brothers death, Mateo gets the honor. Javier stepped to my side.

Just make it quick, I prayed. I wished I had told Forde I loved him when hed called. I should have called him back. Of course he knew, he had to know that I loved him, right? More tears fell at that thought.

I raised my head, and I looked straight at the camera, I love you, Forde. All of you. Hed understand my message. That I trusted he would do whatever he thought was best.

There was noise outside of the room, footsteps running and shouts. Something was happening. I tried to figure out what I should do because I should be doing something to take advantage of this opportunity. Someone hit me in the side so hard the chair tipped, and I was on the ground. I think it was Javier getting in one last shot.

A shot rang out, and then others followed. Move, my brain screamed. I was too exposed in the middle of the floor. I tried to inch along the floor like a worm, arm outstretched pulling my body, then knees scooting. I wasnt covering much distance. Id fallen onto the shoulder Id injured, and my side stung painfully where Id been shoved.

Suddenly, I was pulled upright by my bad arm. I cried out in anguish, not caring anymore.

A hand covered my mouth, and I was being dragged backwards, chair and all. I tried to bite the fingers, but the owner shifted his hand.

I was dragged out the back door, still tied to the stupid chair. It all happened so fast, my head was spinning.

Cut her bindings. Free her, a male voice ordered.

I squinted in the darkness, trying to locate the speaker. There was little light outside and it was night, which added to my confusion.

As soon as my other arm was freed, I pulled my broken hand protectively under my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. The ties binding my ankles eased.

Shes still breathing. The mans voice came from my right side. I tried to see him clearly, but it was too dark.

Mrs. Shepherd, can you stand? The other voice was cultured and filled with concern.

I, uh I tried to stretch my legs, but they wouldnt work. Theyre numb. I looked down at them, and then in the direction of the stranger with the authoritative voice.

He stepped out of the shadow and I sucked in a breath. It was Salvador Ulloa.

He smiled at my shock. At last we meet. I apologize for the reason. He moved closer, his gaze raked over my body.

I tried to wiggle in the chair. I didnt know if this was a better situation. I needed to be ready for my chance at escape. I needed to move.

Carry her, Vador ordered.

I was lifted by my rescuer. I swear he simply grabbed my waist and hoisted me over his shoulder like I was a bag of dog food. He secured one arm over my calves so I couldnt kick when my legs started working. We followed Vador to a black SUV.

Every step caused my body to throb. The pain was everywhere. Plus, I was worried that if I squirmed too much, he would drop me on my head. I bit my lip so hard I tasted more blood.

I was deposited into the back seat, drivers side. Surprisingly, Mr. Vador joined me. The man whod carried me got into the drivers seat and started the engine. We took off down what seemed to be an alley.

Mrs. Shepherd, are you injured? Vadors tone was sincere.

He broke my fingers, I said, my voice shook. Yes. He broke my fingersand Caesar slapped my face. Twice. I didnt continue. I was alive and I needed to concentrate on what was happening.

That is unfortunate and painful.

Very. I rushed to say. Thank you for asking. Something about this man made me want to show good manners. They were going to kill me. I couldnt answer their questions.

I should be thanking you for managing to stay alive long enough so that we could locate you.

Forde. I need to talk to Forde. I started to look around the interior of the vehicle for a way out. I didnt recognize where we were, and I couldnt see any street signs.

My people will let him know youre safe.

Am I? I didnt mean to voice that thought. I should stay quiet and try to a.s.sess the situation, but I had been through too much, and I felt weird, plus everything hurt.

The streetlights illuminated the interior of the SUV, and I watched Vador study me. He smiled. You are an interesting woman.

I want to go home. My control was breaking. I wanted to see Forde. I was still wearing the thick, fleece hoodie I had borrowed from his closet and a knit T-shirt under it. Suddenly, I was freezing. I tried to pull the hoodie closer around me.

We rode in silence for a few blocks, then I heard Mr. Vador sigh.

This is my dilemma. Your abduction and injuries will infuriate Forde and the police.

There are issues within your, uh, group, I said. Again, I wished I could stay quiet.

I believe those problems have been solved.

I nodded once. I a.s.sumed that the gunfire took care of the Morenos.

My concern is that your Mr. Forde will not be pleased with my handling of things. A displeased Forde will be a problem for me. His tone had gone very serious and scary.

I tried to find a more comfortable position. My shivers were turning into shakes, I was so cold. I shook my head to clear it. Finally, I offered, I could help you with that.

Really? He pretended to be curious, playing along.

I knew we were doing a dance. I was willing to do anything if it meant I could get to Forde, even deal with this devil. You dont want Forde to have a problem with you or the Cancerberos. I sounded tired and a little breathy.

He nodded.

I shifted again, putting more pressure on my left b.u.t.t cheek. Honestly, I dont want Forde to have that issue. Im selfish; I want him safe. I know your reputation Mr. Vador. There would only be losers and that wouldnt benefit either side.

He chuckled. Very wise, Mrs. Shepherd.

Stifling a groan because my side throbbed, I swallowed. I promise that Ill do everything in my power to try to stop Forde from starting a war. I was losing control. I could feel my body getting weaker.

And you have that kind of power over Forde? He clearly didnt believe I did.

Forde will take one look at my injuries and do whatever it takes to make me happy, to make me forget how Javier terrorized me with his knife. I had to stop for a second and catch my breath. I could hear his voice in my head and feel his breath on my skin. That man had freaked me out. I can convince him to let you handle things. I probably should have ended it there, but I couldnt. Then it will be on you, to make sure Im never in danger again. Im going to be a priority for the rest of your life, because if anything happens to me, Forde will murder you and anyone dear to you. So if I can live free and safely, then Forde will be handled. I ended my offer with what I hoped was a bada.s.s stare. I was making promises I wasnt sure I could deliver.

Vador patted my knee. Thank you. I will consider your offer. Then he chuckled. After a few beats he continued, I find you delightful Mrs. Shepherd, and I look forward to you being an albatross around my neck. He then told his driver, Place a call to Mr. Forde. Put it on speaker.

I tried to sit up straighter, but a bolt of pain shot from my side. The edges of my vision went black. I needed Forde.

Chapter Twenty-Three.

The last three hours had been the most terrifying of my life. Id been in many bad spots and tricky situations, but knowing that Layla had been taken by the Moreno family scared the s.h.i.t out of me.

When it all turned to s.h.i.t, Id been sitting in Limiteds kitchen with Tye and Jenn. She was telling me about her cousin, who she thought might work out for the other I.T. position.

Im not sure that a high school English teacher is what were looking for. I tried to soften my negative reaction.