"No. I have other plans tonight. I'll see you tomorrow Zoe. Be concert ready by six."
"Okay."
The valet opens the door for me, and I make my way through the embassy lobby. The guards know me and don't make me give them ID or stop. When I get to the elevators for the hotel portion of the building, I freeze.
You can't do this.
You can.
You're hesitating now. You do that in there, and you'll die.
Better to be dead than to have him touching me.
You're a beautiful example of strength, and resilience, and courage. Dirk's voice again.
Somehow, he gives me the bravery I need. I go into the bathroom stall, put the knife in my hose, then smooth my dress over it. I go back to the elevator and push the button.
The penthouse suite needs a code, and I punch it in then try to calm my stomach as the elevator quickly rises. It's made of glass, and all of Mexico City is lit up, as if watching me.
When the door opens into the penthouse, my nausea accelerates, and I feel dizzy. Jonas comes out of the bathroom with a towel only wrapped around his body.
"Zoe." He eyes me, and I already know what he wants...what he expects.
"Jonas." I remove my coat and put it over one of the chairs by the lift.
"You've been gone a long time."
"Yes."
"That scumbag, Santiago, had you?"
"Yes."
"And what did he do to you?"
"Nothing. Made me sing."
He snorts. "Made you sing?"
"Yes. In the jungle for his men."
"But you weren't with one of his men when you were found, were you?"
"No."
"Who was he?
"Does it matter?"
"I ask the questions, not you."
Blood pounds in my ears.
He steps forward and places his hand on my neck, so I have to look at him.
"Who was he?"
"Someone with the government."
"Which one?"
"I don't know."
In a calm voice, he says, "You know what I do to liars, Zoe?"
"Yes. But I didn't think you wanted me here to talk."
His eyes burn with evil and lust. He lowers his head, so his lips are next to mine. "What happened to your arm?"
"It was burned."
"Burned?"
"Hot water."
"Your skin is scarred."
"Yes."
"After tonight, you'll find a way to cover it up. I don't want to see it in that state ever again. Don't you ever let others see your imperfections. Do you understand?"
Silence.
"Answer me."
"I understand."
Don't hesitate.
He drops his towel, steps so close his erection presses against me, and I do my best not to react even though my insides are quivering. Scanning my face one last time, he squeezes my throat tighter and roughly kisses me.
All the times he's practically suffocated me while raping me rushes back, and I don't think. I only act.
I reach for the knife, grip it and slash his jugular, just as Dirk showed me how.
His eyes widen, and I slash the other side on the way back. He releases me and stumbles backward, holding his throat as blood pours everywhere.
"You bitch," he chokes.
Tears fill my eyes and my stomach pitches from the site of the blood. I cry out, "You're a monster."
Blood pools at his feet quickly, and he slumps to the ground.
For several minutes, I watch him suffer until I'm positive there is no life left in him.
And as much as I hate Jonas Torres, I stare at him in shock.
I just killed a man.
Don't breakdown.
Stay focused.
I wrap the knife with a towel and put it in my purse. I wipe the blood off my hand with a washcloth and put that with the weapon.
I glance at my arm and the scar that I have from my accident and vow never to let anyone cover it up.
After I put on my coat, I look in the mirror and make sure nothing seems abnormal and shove my shaking hands in my pockets.
With my heart beating hard in my chest, I leave his room, and when I get outside, I jump in the first cab I see.
As soon as I get into the apartment, I bleach the knife. Then I strip down, put all my clothes and the towels from my purse in a metal wastebasket. I scrub my skin until I'm sure there is no blood on me.
Wearing a robe, I step out onto the balcony and light the trash can on fire. I watch it burn until everything is just ash.
I cool the can with ice water, then dump the contents into the toilet.
When there is nothing left to do, only then do I go to bed and allow myself to break down.