water with a care that shocks what little sliver of my brain is still fully functioning?
Why would he sell me to a man like Jaguar in the first place?
Why does he hate me so much?
Why? Why?
“Ines!” His raised voice echoes off the walls, answered within a heartbeat.
“I’m here, sir.”
“I think the bastard broke her whole damn arm. She needs something strong enough to get her through the night if we want to make it out of the valley in time.”
The urgency he speaks with leaves me dazed. The valley?
“There is enough for a decent dose,” Ines replies quietly. “But, you should know that this is the last of your supply.”
“Are you sure?” The tension in Domino’s voice calls to some part of me that stirs in response. He’s worried. “Fuck. I was planning to get some more today, but that bastard came too early.”
“Apart from whatever you have on you, this is it,” Ines insists. “Do you really want to use it now? It could be hard to find more once you leave.”
“Shit…” Domino clenches his jaw, and from this angle, he looks conflicted and so beautiful I hate him for it.
“Sir, you could go into withdrawal—”
“Give it to her,” he snaps with a nod.
“Alright.”
I sense someone approach me from the left, but when I try to turn to see who, Domino tugs on my arm, forcing me to lay on my side or risk aggravating my wrist. Only this position keeps the pain at bay enough for me to think.
And though I can’t see Ines grab my left arm and wrench up the sleeve of my sweater, I certainly feel the needle she jabs into the muscle a second later.
I scream in shock, but the sting has already eased, and I recognize the throbbing ache working its way down my deltoid. She drugged me.
“Did you make the arrangements like we planned?” Domino asks next.
“Yes, sir,” Ines replies, sounding more distant, as if she’s speaking from the doorway. “But…”
“You’ve known me long enough not to play coy,” Domino says in the closest tone to scolding I’ve heard him use with her. “Spit it out. What aren’t you saying?”
“You should go tonight. He took the other one with him, but I know Julian. He’ll be back. You should go now—”
“I haven’t secured your passport yet,” Domino says over her. “Mateo is fucking me on the timeline—”
“Don’t worry about me.” Ines’ voice rings out with a strength I’d never expect. Jaguar alluded that she practically raised him, but that she chose Domino. What does that mean? “You go now. You won’t get another chance. I know you prefer to stick to your plans, but Julian is like his father. They are unpredictable. That is what makes them so dangerous.”
“You know what he’ll do to you if he realizes beforehand,” Domino says. He releases my arm, setting it beside me. Then he shuts the water off and pivots to face Ines. “I won’t have your death on my conscience.”
“So damn noble,” Ines says disapprovingly. “That’s why you were always at a disadvantage with him. You hesitate where he wouldn’t. I know the risk after three decades of working with the Domingas family. Better than you, I think.”
“I don’t know how I can repay you—”
“Go,” Ines says, but it sounds as though she’s commanding him for once. “Find your answers. And I suggest you think long and hard about what it is you do value. Because Julian will take pleasure in destroying it before you can even admit to yourself that you wanted it in the first place.” Her tone softens, returning to her dutiful murmur. “The arrangements are made. I’ll have Miguel bring the car around.”
“Luckily, Ada-Maria already made one part easier,” Domino says, but his tone conveys more irritation than admiration.
Without warning, he lifts me into his arms, carrying me into the hall so swiftly I can’t keep up. The next thing I’m aware of is that we’re passing through the circular foyer. Then another door I’ve seldom traveled through.
Suddenly, we’re in the dark night air, bathed in the sweltering heat. I strain to pay attention, noting the front of the house illuminated by windows flooded with golden light. The paved walkway. A car with its headlights blaring like the red eyes of a beast, eager to swallow me whole.
The drug is kicking in so damn quickly. Ines must have given me one hell of a dose. It’s like I blink, and I’m seated, leaning against a pane of glass as the