Page 64 of Property of Max
My eyes sting, but I don’t want to cry anymore. So, I press my face against my knees and whisper, “Max’s coming. Mama’s coming. Someone’s coming.” Over and over, until the words sound like a magical spell.
And then…
A sound. Heavy boots against the floor. My heart jumps so fast I almost choke.
The doorknob rattles. Light floods the room like someone opening a picture frame. For a second, I think it’s a hero, like in my stories.
But it’s not.
It’s him.
The bad man.
The one my daddy said I would be safe with.
His shadow fills the doorway, and the look on his face makes my stomach twist. He’s so angry, like he wants to break something.
“I knew I couldn’t trust him,” he growls, his words heavy and rough. “Bastard thinks he can play me? What was his plan, huh? Put a tracker on you to lead that damn club right to me?Bueno. Good. I’ll take them all out at once. Sure, it moves my timeline up a bit, but I don’t mind. It’s a good thing I put cameras in his house, huh?”
He steps closer, and I scoot back until the wall stops me. There’s nowhere left to hide.
He crouches down, close enough that I can smell his breath. I thought his smile before was scary, but it’s nothing like this one. In the thin light spilling from the hall, his face looks like a true monster.
“I truly do hope the Shadows find you in time, Mija.” His voice drops lower, almost a whisper. “I didn’t want to hurt you, but they keep sticking their noses where they don’t belong. And that,” he tilts his head, “that pisses me off.”
He straightens and pulls something from behind his back. But it’s too dark for me to see what it is.
“I never would’ve guessed you were part of that club,” he sighs. “The thought never even crossed my mind. Which one is your mamá banging? The big guy? Tank? Or did Spike get tired of his woman and find another? I wonder if he’s the one coming for you. Or maybe Bones. Yeah…I need him out of the way. And Maverick. Oh, I do hope it’s Max. I wanted to kill himcara a cara, face to face, but this will have to do. Will all of them come for you?No es importante. Palm Springs will belong to me in the end. This is just a big step to make that happen.”
He lifts his hand, blocking out his face.
“I am sorry, Mija,” he says softly. “I will always be sorry for this. Little girls should be worshiped, not harmed.”
Does that mean he’s going to let me go? Does he like kids after all?
Then a bright flash. The worst pain I’ve ever felt explodes in my leg. I scream so loud it feels like my throat tears. It hurts so bad I don’t even notice him bending down again.
I don’t know how long I scream and cry. It feels like forever.
“Can you hear me now?” the man asks.
My voice is gone, but I look up at him.
“Good.” His eyes are cold. “Now listen. The second your rescuers enter this house, no matter where they come in, it will activate a bomb that’s hidden so well no one will ever find it.It has a five-minute timer. That’s just enough time for them to find you, but not enough to get out. I’m telling you this because I want you to give them a final message for me.” He leans closer. “Tell them Cortez says…I win.”
He stands and walks out, closing the door behind him.
Once again, I’m in the dark. Alone. Scared. But this time, I’m hurt. I think he shot me. It doesn’t hurt as badly as before, though. I thought being shot was supposed to hurt for a long time? The pain is almost gone already. I must be a pretty strong girl. But it is colder now, and I think that’s making me sleepy. I think I’ll lie down on the nasty floor and sleep, after all.
I can’t keep my eyes open, but I have to remember something important for when my new family comes to get me.
Bomb…there’s a bomb…get out…bomb.
Chapter Eighteen
Lila
The bunker is…nice. Too nice, almost. Full kitchen, clean bathrooms, more bedrooms than I can count. It feels more like a hidden house than a shelter. Everything about it says safe. Strong. Secure.
