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The street was almost completely deserted, but the few who were milling around kept their heads bowed low and didn’t show any indication that they’d noticed a limo park on their street.
Antonio directed Charlotte to enter the closest building. She had to duck her head to enter the dimly lit room. Two men with guns stood near a door that went farther into the building, and a dingy-looking man sat on a folding metal chair that he had tipped back onto two legs. His head rested on the wall behind, and he looked like he was asleep.
“Señor,” Antonio said to the man, who jumped, not having heard their entry. He nearly fell to the floor, but when he regained his feet and saw Charlotte, he beamed.
“SeñorDelgado,” he said, looking Charlotte over. “You have outdone yourself with this one.” He took Antonio’s hand in both of his and shook rapidly. “When you said you had a gift, I had no idea you meant such an extravagant one.”
They began speaking in Spanish, and because of the way the man kept leering at her, she was glad she couldn’t understand what they were saying.
“This way,por favor,” the man said, nodding to the armed men as he went through the internal door.
“After you,” Antonio said, holding his arm in the direction he expected her to go.
Her feet didn’t want to move from their place. “You still haven’t told me where I am.” She looked back toward the exit.
“Does it matter? Carlos is an old friend. His business is struggling, and I’ve known him a long time. He’s done me some favors over the years, so I’ve brought him a gift. You don’t really need to know more than that. It won’t do you any good. There are no young girls here to open doors for you and lead you to the police.”
“Antonio?” Carlos stepped back in the room. “Is anything wrong?Señorita?”
“Nothing is wrong,” Antonio said. “Charlie is only struggling to get her head around her new circumstances. That is all. She will come quietly. I assure you. She will be no trouble. Will you, Charlie?”
She breathed deeply as she looked at the gaping black hole that was the door farther into this hellhole.God, I can’t do this. Please take me now. Let me die. I don’t want to go through this. I can’t do it.She closed her eyes, but the only response was Antonio’s hand tight on her arm.
“I promised Carlos you wouldn’t be any trouble. If you force me to go back on my word, I will be very disappointed in you.”
“Then why don’t you shoot me? That will fix everything.”
“Oh, no. I have no intention of killing you. There are much more interesting opportunities for you than death. But it’s up to you how you want to live out the rest of your days. You can choose either complete misery or only partial. Up to you.”
She stared at her feet and willed them to move. Finally, her body obeyed, and she walked deeper into the building.
“You’re going to leave me here?” she said when they caught up to Carlos in front of a closed door. Another man was there too, sitting at the door guarding the room. He looked like he’d barely eaten in months.
“For now. Maybe forever. Depends on your usefulness. If you’ve decided to give me the information I’m after, I may reconsider.”
“I’ve told you everything. Why would I lie?”
“I have no idea. Why would you?”
“Please don’t leave me here.”
“If you recall, it was only yesterday that you told me there was nothing I could do or say that would make you stay with me, and yet here you are, begging for my company. It’s sweet. Now, get on your knees.”
“Why?”
“If you want me to take you with me, I’m willing to consider it, but I want to see how subservient you can be. I want you to get on your knees and beg me to take you with me. Then pledge your soul to me, and I will take you as my slave.”
“I’m not going to do that.”
“You would prefer to stay here?”
“Yes,” she mumbled.
“I’m sorry. What was that?”
“Yes.”
“Very well. Then I expect your cooperation. It is your choice, after all.” He nodded to Carlos, who took a key off the emaciated man and unlocked the door. He pushed it open and stood back. Charlotte gasped at both the smell and the sight and now understood why they didn’t need a proper guard for the room.
