Page 90 of Ruthless Beast

The young stripper with the streetsmarts has been missing in action for a few weeks. I hope she’s okay. That girl’s mouth is her greatest enemy. I have to give it to her—she’s a tough cookie. I reckon she’s one of those women who grew up on the streets, using her looks and smarts to keep her from starvation.

Life on the streets of Tijuana can’t be easy. It’s a lawless place, if the stories I hear from the other girls are anything to go by. Then again, any city has it’s underbelly, so why would Mexico be any different.

It saddens me when I look around at the women who are here with me. Most, if not all, of them are hooked on drugs. I guess they use it to numb the pain of their existence. I honestly can’t say for sure if I’d be immune to the temptation were it not for the little baby growing inside me. Lucas’ baby.

I’m gutted that he hasn’t found me yet. For all his promises, he’s let me down. How does someone like Damon pull the wool over Lucas’ eyes? He must have been planning this for a very long time. It takes time to establish a backstory. Andreas would have checked Damon out for sure. How the hell did he manage to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes?

It makes me wonder if he had help. Big help. Big, like Gallo. Is it possible? Is that why I’m the only woman in here who doesn’t have to constantly watch her back and fend off sexual advances? It’s possible.

“Hey, bitches. Guess who’s back.”

What? I don;t believe it. Smartmouth is back. Battered and bruised, but alive.

“Elena! Where have you been?” I blurt out. “I was worried about you.”

Elena looks at me with complete surprise.

“Why would you concern yourself with me, Gringo? And what are you still doing here? I thought you were too good for the likes of us.”

Wow! I had no idea the other women felt this way about me. I just say, it hurts.

“I’m a prisoner here just like everyone else, Elena. And, no. I don’t think I’m better than any of you. Shouldn’t we stand together? Isn’t that what women do?”

Elena laughs out loud.

“Oh, please. You white women all think your shit doesn't stink.”

“Elena, please. I’m not like that. You’d know if you gave me a chance before judging me.”

“Yeah. Whatever.”

“I’m glad you’re alright,” I say, walking away.

“Hey! Emily, is it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve had a crappy day.”

“It’s okay. I really am glad you’re safe.”

“Thanks. I just wish I wasn’t stuck back here again. I was so close to being free.”

“Where did you go?”

“I got as far as the border before Paolo’s men found me and dragged me back. But not before theytaught me a lesson.”

“Bastards,” I sigh. “Are you alright?”

“Hey, it’s nothing every man in my life has ever done to me. I’ll live.”

“I’m so sorry, Elena.”

“Hey, it’s cool. Next time I’ll cross the border. I came closer this time than ever before.”

“You’ve done this before?”

“Hell, yeah! Many times. Why do you think Paolo hates me so much? I make him look bad. I’m lucky I’m still alive,” she grins, as if what she’s saying is nothing.

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