Page 85 of Bullet

I startled awake when the SUV made an abrupt stop. It took me a few moments to register where I was, and I almost cried when I realized the whole thing hadn’t been some nightmare.

But I needed to say strong. Matteo enjoyed breaking me, and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. Inhaling deeply, I steeled myself for what was to come as the back of the SUV opened, and I was ushered out.

A huge mansion stood before me. I couldn’t see anything else but desert and some trees in any direction, and I wondered how far we were from the border.

I sent a silent prayer to Ford.Please find me.

I was escorted inside the lavish mansion, which looked like something from Beverly Hills had been transplanted into the middle of a Mexican desert.

The marble floors beneath my dirty feet were cold, and I wanted to scoff at the audacity of the rich interior. A smirk curved my lips as I thought about how my presence would be a blight to Matteo in the perfect world he’d built for himself.

Speaking of the devil himself, Matteo appeared at the top of the extravagant, winding staircase. “Ah, you’ve finally made it,hermosa.”

My lip curled up at his nickname for me. The only nickname I wanted to hear was kitten, and a pang of sadness filled me as I thought about never hearing Ford say it again.

Be strong. He’s coming for you.

Matteo walked down the stairs and stood before me, eyeing me up and down with a look of disgust. He started rapidly speaking in Spanish, his tone angry and loud. I only knew some cuss words in the language, and he’d used every one. He was obviously upset about the condition I was brought in.

He snapped his fingers, and two Hispanic women rushed over from a neighboring room. After speaking to them in Spanish, he directed his attention to me, his lips curving up in what I used to think was a charming grin. “I’m sorry for the lack of consideration on my men’s part. Luisa and Magda will help you get cleaned up, then we will have a proper reunion.”

The thought of a proper reunion with him made me want to throw up. “Fuck you, Matteo,” I said before spitting in his face.

I knew from experience that spitting in his face royally pissed him off, and that I’d be punished for it, yet at the moment, I didn’t care. I hated him for everything he’d done to me and having me kidnapped at gunpoint was the last straw.

His nostrils flared as he took a handkerchief from his suit pocket and wiped his face, then he backhanded me so hard that I saw stars. “Looks like you will need a little lesson in respect, also.”

He started yelling at the two women in Spanish again, and they quickly rushed to my side and escorted me up the stairs. They led me to an opulent bathroom that was bigger than Nina’s whole apartment.

After closing the door behind us, one of the women led me to a sitting chair as the other turned on the water in an ivory clawfoot tub. She poured various oils into the running water as we waited for the tub to fill.

Once the tub was full, Luisa and Magda helped me undress and urged me into the bath. I couldn’t deny that the water felt amazing, but I’d rather be put in a tub of shit if it meant I was out of Matteo’s grasp.

Luisa and Magda wanted to bathe me, but I insisted on washing myself. Once I was finished, they wrapped me in a towel and led me to an adjoining bedroom, which had a luxurious canopy bed with lace and gold accents.

They gave me a long, cream-colored dress that reminded of something Greek goddesses were usually depicted wearing. Then they blow-dried and curled my hair and did my makeup, which I thought was overkill, but Matteo had ridiculous standards. He expected the best and was like a petulant child when he didn’t get it.

Once Luisa and Magda were finished, they escorted me back downstairs to the dining room, which had a large glass table with enough seating for twelve. Matteo was sitting at the head of the table, his hair slicked back and wearing a pressed gray suit.

“Ah, that’s much better,” he commented as Magda and Luisa led me to a chair directly on the left side of Matteo. “Gracias,”he thanked dismissively, waving the women away after I’d been seated.

I stared at Matteo with contempt as he smiled at me. “You must be starving. I’ve had my chef prepare a delicious meal for us tonight.”

“I’d rather starve,” I replied with a sneer even though my stomach growled with hunger.

He let out an exasperated sigh, like a parent annoyed with their disobedient child. “Why must you make things difficult,hermosa? This is what you wanted, isn’t?” He gestured around the room. “Luxury and riches.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Not if I have to share it with you.”

He clucked his tongue in disapproval. “Fine.” He snapped his fingers, and Luisa and Magda came back in. “If you don’t want to cooperate then you can stay in your room.”

Fine with me.

Luisa and Magda took me back to the bedroom upstairs and locked me in. I looked for ways out, but the windows had bars and all the entrances were locked.

I flopped down on the bed with a sigh. My face hurt from Matteo’s backhand, and I was exhausted. Since there was nothing else to do, I decided to sleep. I wanted to be ready when Ford came for me because I didn’t want to think of the alternative.

* * *

---