a tiny bit, and he yanked me into his side. I whimpered, but it was from shock, not pain, although I had a feeling it looked like it hurt if anyone saw it. “Ang—”
“I told you to shut the fuck up,” he snapped harshly, taking hold of my wrists. He gripped them together tightly at the base of my back.
“You got her?” Isaiah's voice traveled through the darkness.
“She didn't watch where she was going,” Angelo retorted.
“Stupid bitch.” Isaiah laughed, then like a switch changed, he stopped and dropped his eyes to me.
I trembled, but I clenched my jaw so he wouldn't see. I wouldn't be able to hide it from Angelo, but when he said to trust him, my gut agreed, so I didn't care if he knew.
I wasn't afraid to show weakness. I just didn't want to. Especially not to a dickhead like Isaiah.
“So pretty,” he murmured, nodding for Angelo to drop his hand.
Angelo secured my wrists now with two hands, but it didn't hurt. In fact, if I wanted to, I could have easily yanked my hands away and ran again.
Isaiah stopped just inches from me and reached out to touch my face. My skin crawled as he ran a fingertip down my cheek, and I fought to stop my head from jerking away as it brushed past my mouth.
His touch was dirty.
“No wonder he tried to sell you.” Isaiah tilted his head to the side and his finger trailed down my neck toward my chest.
“Get your fucking hands off me.” I stepped back into Angelo, who just shoved me forward.
I knew it was coming before it hit.
Isaiah's hand connected with my cheek, and I closed my eyes as the sharp sting radiated across my face and through my jaw. Fuck. That hurt.
“Puttana,” Isaiah spat at me.
“Maybe, but not your puttana, stronzo.”
Angelo squeezed my wrists as if to tell me to stop.
I probably should have listened, but I never did take orders very well.
Isaiah stared at me for a long moment before he laughed dryly and grabbed my chin. My jaw ached where he'd just hit me, and saliva pooled in my mouth. I longed to spit it at him, just for my own amusement, but truth be told, I didn't want another hit.
“Ah...” Isaiah murmured low, tilting my chin up and bringing my face close to his. “It's so much more fun when they fight.”
“You're a sick bastard,” I whispered harshly.
His lip curled into an evil twist. “I know. And I have all night to play with you.”
Angelo cleared his throat. “Actually, we have to leave now. The Boss is getting on a plane as soon as he's done with the Gualtierrez cartel, and he expects us to be back at the house with her by the time he gets back from Colombia tomorrow.”
Isaiah sneered, still staring at me. “Then I guess I'll just have to have my fun in the back.”
“I'm not driving a fucking van to New York with you raping her in the back so you can get your kicks,” Angelo shut him down. “He sold her once, so I'm sure he'll let you keep her for your pet when he's done with her.”
He paused for a moment before agreement flitted across his features. “True. Get her in the back and lock in her. I'll follow you there. Don't fucking stop for anyone, you got it?” He turned and went the way Angelo had come from.
“Got it.” Angelo pushed me forward down the lane. I hadn't run as far as I'd thought, and what I'd thought was a car behind mine was actually a van. “Do you need anything? Whisper,” he muttered in my ear.
I nodded. “I have a bag in the car.”
He waited until the rumble of an engine could be heard down the road, then reached inside the car I'd come in and grabbed my bag and the keys. “Don't speak, okay?”
“But—”
“I lied about him coming,” he said, his lips on my ear. “He's not yet. I have to take you to the house, but I'll explain everything there.”
I took a deep breath, but I nodded.
I didn't see what other choice I had.
Chapter Twenty-Two – Hunter
I paced the room like a crazed man.
Why the fuck had I let her go? She waltzed out of the god damn room where there was a bounty on her head. When people wanted her fucking dead. I knew, and I hadn't even tried to chase her, because I was too much of a fucking pussy.
Because I