It lands.
That stops him in his tracks. For a moment, he just stands there, shocked. Then he wipes his cheek, stares down at the back of his hand, then at me.
“That was unwise, Miss Mendez.”
He reaches for my face.
I bring my forehead up into his.
It’s not a good hit. My angle’s wrong, and the rope at my wrists has my shoulders pinned. But the top of my skull catches the soft cartilage of his nose and there’s a crunch—a small, satisfying crunch I feel in my teeth—and he yelps.
“Fucking bitch.”
He stumbles back two steps. His hands are at his face. Blood’s coming through his fingers.
The pain in the back of my skull flares, but I don’t give a shit.
That felt good.
He straightens slowly. His eyes are wet and red, and he’s looking at me with pure hatred.
He turns to the guard.
“Don’t just fucking stand there. Help me.”
The guard looks up from his phone for the first time.
He doesn’t move.
“Did you hear me? Hold her down.”
The guard tilts his head. Like a dog considering whether to come.
“Why?”
Victor stares at him in disbelief. “What? I gave you afucking order.Do you have any idea how much I’m paying you tonight?”
“Yeah.” The guard puts the phone in his pocket. “And I’m telling you it isn’t enough for this part.”
The room goes very still.
I’m watching this very carefully now.
“Hold her arms? Hundred. Hold her still while you do the thing you’re talking about doing? Two hundred. Look the other way?” He shrugs. “That one’s free. I was gonna do that anyway.”
Victor’s jaw clenches with rage.
“After all I’ve—fuck.” It looks like he’s going to try hitting the guard—a much, much bigger man. But he thinks better of it. “Fine, I’ll find someone else, you fucking bastard. Keep an eye on this bitch, or it’s your head.”
The guard just shrugs, unbothered.
“Sure.”
Victor sneers at him, then back at me. His fist is still cocked, and I can tell he’s thinking of letting his anger out on his captive.
I start gathering what spit I have in my mouth, making my intentions clear.
He sees it.
