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Was the man mute? Surely, he wasn’t blind.
So why was he completely ignoring me?
“Hey,” I called out. “I’m Sam.” I felt like an idiot introducing myself when I couldn’t even see him from my perch on the bed, but maybe if I made an attempt at normal conversation, he’d pay attention. There was a chance he was frightened, another captive who had been twisted like Lauren. I needed to get through to him.
My efforts were ridiculous and ineffective.
“What’s your name?” I asked loudly.
He reappeared in the bedroom, wheeling his cart back toward the exit. He still didn’t look at me or respond in any way.
“Wait,” I said desperately. “I need your help. Talk to me, please. You don’t have to be afraid.”
His gray eyes finally riveted on me, narrowed in anger. “Of course I do,” he hissed. “Do you know what he’d do to me if I helped you? I have a future to think about. I’m not about to fuck it up by pissing off the boss. Especially not for some whore.”
I flinched at the word whore, but I plowed on. “I can help you. If he’s threatened you, my friends can—”
He barked out a laugh. “You think I’m being threatened into staying here? I’m paying my dues, you stupid bitch. Don’t fucking talk to me ever again. And don’t you dare tell him I spoke to you, or I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Andrés interrupted the man, his voice deadly calm.
My captor had approached far too quietly, appearing in the open doorway out of nowhere. The man paled and swallowed hard before slowly turning to face Andrés.
“She was asking for help,” he said quickly, his voice hitching. “I was just saying—”
Andrés took a menacing step toward him. “You were threatening her. You were looking at her. I told you not to look at her. You’re lucky she’s covered. Do you know what I do to men who look at what’s mine?”
The boy shook his head and retreated back into the bedroom, moving toward me. He didn’t make it two steps before Andrés’ hand closed around his upper arm, vice-like. He jerked the boy’s body toward his, getting into his personal space.
“Look at her again, and you’ll lose an eye,” Andrés said softly. “Threaten her again, and it’ll be the last thing you ever do. You’re relieved of your duties. Never come into my quarters again.”
He nodded, but he couldn’t seem to manage to speak. Andrés released him, pushing him away in disgust.
“Leave,” he bit out.
The boy hastened to comply, practically tripping over his feet to get to his cart and out of the bedroom. He disappeared further into the suite, Andrés’ imposing form blocking my view.
I couldn’t have watched him leave, anyway. All my focus was on the terrifying man who’d just threatened to mutilate and murder one of the men who worked for him. Lauren had said Andrés was nice. The woman was obviously even more warped than I’d imagined. My captor radiated cold fu
ry, his scarred face twisted in anger.
I shrank back, scooting across the bed until the chain jerked at my collar.
He sucked in a deep breath, and his fierce countenance eased as his eyes focused on my fearful expression. He took a step toward me, and I tried to move farther away. But all I accomplished was pulling at the leather around my neck. There was nowhere to go, no way to escape.
He reached for me, and I flinched. That didn’t seem to concern him. He cupped my cheek in his big hand, hooking his thumb beneath my jaw so I couldn’t look away.
“Calm, cosita,” he murmured, stroking my hair with his free hand. “You’re safe. He won’t hurt you.”
“I’m not worried about him,” I said shrilly. “You’re the one who just calmly threatened to cut out someone’s eye. And I’m chained to your bed. Naked. I’m freaking afraid of you.” I brought my hands up to push him away, but he caught my wrists and pinned them behind me at the small of my back. He held them there with one hand and resumed stroking my hair.
“He’s lucky I didn’t kill him for threatening you,” Andrés responded. “I ordered him not to speak to you or look at you. He did both. I can’t have a man in my organization who thinks he can disobey me.”
“So you murder anyone who defies you?” I asked, my voice shaking. I’d defied him. I’d tried to kill him.
“I will never harm you, Samantha,” he said in reassuring tones as he continued to pet me. “No matter how defiant you may be.” A smile ghosted around his lips.
“But you spanked me,” I argued. “You said you want to punish me.”
