Page 38 of Sacrifice

The longer he stares at me, the more ashamed I become, but his face looks so familiar. He's Vincent's guard, isn't he?

I try to speak, but my jaw doesn't move and the feeling of air touching my throat makes me whimper. Then it hit me. I saw him at the house. He is most definitely a guard for Vincent. He had on a red tie, a walking cane, and his name… I think hard about it. Frank? No. That's right—Luis, Arman? I don’t remember. I’m distraught trying to figure out how I know this man.

He laughs and stays next to the door. "I'm here to see for myself, the girl who's responsible for the downfall of Vincent,The BeastDomingo.”

There's no way to move my mouth and I grunt. Surely he didn't turn against Vincent. I shrink back into myself at the venom in his voice as he talks about how he's going to enjoy seeing Vincent dead. I want to tell him, he'll likely be dead, but nothing comes out of my mouth.

High-pitched shrieks come out of my mouth and I huff as I try to move from my position. The stiffness in my shoulders makes me want to whimper, but I know it won’t change anything. And I'm not going anywhere since I'm still tied to the ceiling. This gets him moving and when he is close to me, I use the last bit of strength I have to raise my leg and kick him.

This makes him mad as he stumbles back from me. He recovers and grabs me by the neck. Both his hands wrap around me, and he looks deranged as he squeezes.

"You fucking cunt. I was a spy for Alejandro. Of course, I want Vincent to die. But not before he sees me fucking you."

Another person comes in and laughs. "Not today, Joey. The bosses went to the family meeting. While they are out, we are going to hit all of Vincent's whore houses. Leave the bitch alone."

"Go without me." He tells the other man and turns back to me. "I'm busy, or did you not see that?"

"Boss’s orders. Let's go." The other guy cocks his gun at Joey. I have never wished anyone dead, but I would not be upset if he shot him.

Joey releases me and I'm grateful. When they leave me alone, I have more questions than ever, and it doesn't seem like there will be answers anytime soon.

"Shh, mi reina," Vincent whispers to me as he kisses my lips. "Hold on to me, baby. I've got you."

I relax into his arms and moan his name. "Te amo, you feel so damn good." He moves until he's between my thighs, forcing my legs wide. He pulls out of me and I cry out for him to be inside of me again.

"Aribella!"

My eyes pop open, and I begin to cry. My beautiful dream shatters away as I see the woman is back.

"I need you to walk. They all left and we only have an hour or so before they are back in the house," her voice is urgent, but I'm groggy and take a moment to comply.

As I try to talk, my jaw hurts and I cough, causing my throat to burn.

"Don't try to talk. But I think you want to know why I'm helping, huh?'

Nodding, I answer her question without speaking this time.

"Because I was once the lover of Leo Domingo. I was stolen away from him a long time ago by greed for the lifestyle he lived. There’s no reason to get caught up in a man like a Domingo. They think of only themselves and will never know how to love anyone. Besides, I don't think you should be in the same boat. Come on."

She releases my arms from the chains, and I fall to my knees. My wrists and shoulders are weak and stiff from hanging there. My brain is trying so hard to grasp the situation. Is she helping me? What about the cameras?

"I promise to get you some clothes and get you cleaned up. But we have to get out of here first. Just lean on me."

I guess there isn't much of a choice? For now, I will have to trust her to get me out of here. Let's hope I'm not making a mistake. Besides, if I'm going to run away with her, I might as well not question my own motives. She's a means to an end. That's all.

God, when did I get to be so cold about another human being? Oh right, she tortured me with salt only hours before, causing me pain and probably irreversible damage.

"We have to go faster. Come on." I'm already going as fast as I can. I'm exhausted, hungry, and still bleeding. I cough again and realize that my throat is burning from the air I'm sucking in.

"Don't try to talk. The salt and vinegar have done a number on your throat and I'm sure your jaw is broken. It's fixable, but you can't talk. Soon, I'll get you water and it will help. For now, just keep walking. We are almost there."

I'm mostly hobbling along, but she doesn't complain about it as we get to a door. As she opens it, I see Mossimo through the slits of my eyes. My face is too swollen for me to open them all the way.

"Mossimo." I rasp, and another bout of coughing hits me. We walk into the room and the girl looks at me. "Stay here. I'll be right back."

Something grips my heart, and I panic. Taking her hand, I grip it tightly. She smiles gently at me. "I'll be back in five minutes. You're safe for now."

"Don't trust her," Mossimo mumbles weakly, and I nod. "Go through the window." He looks at the wall opposite him.

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