Page 6 of Hell on Wheels

Without considering how disastrous the consequences would be if I failed, I knocked over one of the other vases, smiling when it fell to the floor with a loud crash and shattered. I ran to the door, hiding out of sight as Miguel stormed inside.

“What are—?”

He didn’t get more than those two words out of his mouth before I swung the vase in my hands, cracking him against the skull. Miguel stumbled, tripped over his feet, and landed on his back. He lifted a hand to pull out his phone, but I kicked it away.

My name slurred on his lips before his eyes closed.

Oh my God! I did it!

Angel would return soon, and I couldn’t leave Miguel on the bedroom floor. I decided to tug him into the massive walk-in closet. It took effort to push and pull him across the hardwood floor. I ended up dragging him by his ankles, finally maneuvering his body out of sight. With the doors shut, he was hidden from view.

Almost free, I giggled. This was too easy. I should have paused to consider why.

None of the other bodyguards were upstairs. Angel had them patrolling the property outside. If I could reach the garage, I’d be able to steal a vehicle and drive somewhere to ditch the car. It wasn’t the best plan, but I had to take the chance.

Miguel never stirred as I rushed down the stairs, slipping into the garage. I carefully lifted a set of keys, running toward one of the vehicles. A sporty model in black.

I had my hand on the handle, ready to open the door, when I heard Angel’s voice.

“Mi mascota.”His pet.

My body froze as terror infused every single cell. My lungs seized, refusing to draw in air.

“Turn around.”

My body slowly spun to face him.

Angel held out his hand. “Keys.”

I didn’t hesitate to follow his directions, placing the keys in his outstretched hand.

His fingers curled inward, wrapping around the cool metal. “Strip.”

My eyes widened.

“Get naked. Now.”

My fingers trembled as I removed all my clothes, standing nude with my head lowered, staring at the ground.

“You will follow me.”

Angel led me from the garage into a long hallway and beyond the rows of doors leading to his office, playroom, and guest rooms. We stopped in front of the one he always kept locked.

Keeping quiet, I watched as Angel used an electronic keypad by the door to punch in a code. The door swung open.

This wasn’t my first visit to the hell that awaited. I refused to look at the various elements of torture or the devices he had bought for his pleasure. The overwhelming odor of leather, lemon, and traces of metallic blood threatened to steal my will and the tiny portion of self-control I had left.

“You will spend the night in the hole.”

I sucked in a breath, shocked he intended to rehabilitate me in such a cruel way. “I’m sorry.”

“Do not speak!” he roared.

Nodding, I followed him across the room, swallowing hard when he bent to unlock the square door located on the floor. The hinge squeaked as he lifted it, gesturing to the ladder.

“Get in.”

I nearly slipped as I hurried to obey, worried he would lash out with his fists or shove me to the bottom.

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