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"Fuck you," I spat out, filled with rage.
Antonio's deep laughter reverberated in the air. "Looks like you've already regained control of your mouth. El Caminante won't be happy about that."
"El Caminante is never happy," the bald, scarred man shook his head.
"No, he isn't." Antonio's calloused fingers probed the clear bandage covering my new tattoo, making me flinch. "Keep the bandage on for about a week," he said gruffly.
"We'll be here that long?"
"As long as he wants."
"And you don't give a shit about what just happened?"
"It could've been worse." He shrugged, seemingly indifferent to the fact that Manuel had just branded me. He nodded vaguely towards the other side of the room, "there's a full bathroom with whatever products you need."
"And is that supposed to make up for all of this?"
"El Caminante didn't have to provide you with anything at all. I'd consider yourself lucky," the fire-bearded man said.
"Stop calling him that. His name is Manuel. Just like half a million men with the same name in Cuba alone."
"He doesn't go by that anymore, conejita." Antonio interjected. "Believe me, he has earned his nickname."
"'I'm not your bunny."
"Would you prefer la princesa?" he mocked. "Already demanding a seat on your throne?"
"Yes. Now give me the key to the room so I can leave my kingdom behind. On fire."
"Not yet," he bopped my nose playfully. "Not until El Caminante says you're ready."
"I'm ready right now," I growled out, snapping at him with my teeth. I wanted to bite his goddamn finger off. "Believe me."
He only laughed, the two men chuckling as well, which only made me angrier.
"And when did you become his little bitch, Antonio? Did he cut off your balls when you came to work for him?"
Antonio stilled. His gaze narrowed in on me, his lips pursed, his jaw working. The men behind him shifted uncomfortably at the sudden charge of tension in the room.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" he barked out at them, jerking his head towards the door. "Get the fuck out of here. Go do your jobs."
They straightened, cursing under their breath as they made their way towards the door. "Remember." Fire-beard turned in the doorway, his voice a warning, "No one touches her but El Caminante."
In the sliver of light from the doorway, Antonio's face hardened into a mask of pure rage and a cold shiver worked its way down my spine. Every muscle in his body was clenched tight, threatening to unleash his fury at any moment. I'd never seen him so angry. "You think I would be dumb enough to fucking touch her?"
"Fine! Cabrón," fire-beard hissed before slamming the door behind them, leaving us in darkness.
"Don't fucking slam--" Antonio didn't finish but instead turned towards me, though now, I could barely see the outline of his form.
My fingers and toes tingled and I balled my fingers into a fist, holding my breath. Waiting to see what he would do. "Are you going to hurt me?"
"What?"
"Our history together isn't exactly the best," I bit out sarcastically. Even though Antonio had always, somewhat, protected me, I didn't trust him. "You've kidnapped me once before, and now you're helping him hold me hostage."
It took him a moment to answer, and there was a large sigh first before there was a dipping weight of the mattress next to me. "First, there are cameras in the room," he said slowly, his voice low and heavy with warning. "I'm sure he's watching us right now. So don't get any ideas about trying to escape."
The air in the room thickened with tension as I searched the darkness, my gaze eventually falling on the telltale red blinking light of a camera, positioned right across my bed. Manuel had clearly wanted me to know I was being watched. "The prick wants to watch me sleep or something?"
