“Come on, just because we’re in this position doesn’t mean we can’t have a conversation.”
She snapped to reality.
“Go fuck yourself.”
He pushed her backward, stepped out of the closet, locked the door. In the dark she fell back to the wall, the only space in the house that belonged to her.
Only now that he’d left did she realize she hadn’t heard Lilly or anyone else downstairs since Rodrigo left. Jacques was alone. She could have waited at the door with the acetone and the lighter. Yet the idea hadn’t even occurred to her, he was so completely in control. He’d threatened to kill her family, and she’d thanked him for making her a sandwich. She threw the panini across the room. She’d starve before she took another bite.
* * *
Hours passed. The heat in the closet faded. The light leaking under the plywood faded. She didn’t relax at all. She’d realized why what Jacques had done bothered her.
Obviously he didn’t care about making her feel better. But she didn’t think he cared about frightening her either, or proving how smart he was. She wasn’t even an animal to him. She was just a thing he’d stolen for a while, until he gave it back or passed it on.
He was pure psychopath. She had to assume everything he did was strategic. Even toying with her. He had a reason. A plan. Why had he offered her food? Asked her about herself? To distract her, keep her off balance, as he readied his next move.
The light under the windowsill turned pink. Sunset. Night was coming.
Steps in the hall. She wondered if she should grab the acetone, but the person was moving too fast—
The deadbolt popped back. The light flipped on. Lilly.
“Up.”
“Missed you too, Lil.” Come and get me. Even without the nail or the acetone she was looking forward to getting in a couple of licks. Let them beat her afterward.
But Lilly was ready too. She reached behind her back, pulled out a little pistol with yellow tips. A Taser. No point in arguing. Lilly could brutalize her without even leaving marks. Kira stood.
“Good girl. Now take your clothes off.”
Kira raised her twin middle fingers. The gesture reminded her of her father somehow, he’d always liked Eminem, Put one of those fingers on each hand up…
“I’ll count three.” Lilly raised the Taser. “Take them off.”
“You flirting with me too? It’s getting old. And you’re not my type.”
“What an ego you have. Even now.” Lilly stuffed the Taser in the back of her waistband. “You’re taking a shower, you dumb bitch. You stink.”
* * *
You don’t want a shower, Rodrigo had said.
Because a shower meant they would be giving her to someone who wanted her clean.
Don’t fight. Don’t give her any excuse to come any closer. While the other two were busy flirting or mock-flirting with her, Lilly was canny enough to check the shelf, find Kira’s treasures.
Kira stepped out of her skirt and panties, pulled off her blouse and bra. Folded them neatly and piled them in the corner.
“Why do Americans hate your pubic hair so much? Like a child.”
Lilly led her into the bathroom, turned on the shower.
“Quick quick.” She pointed to a new pink disposable razor still in its package. “And shave your legs.”
They were almost insulting her, Kira thought. Did they think she wouldn’t understand the reason they wanted her to pretty up?
“If you don’t mind, I’ll watch. We wouldn’t want to lose the razor.”
Kira wondered if she could go for the Taser. But Lilly probably had combat training, too.
She showered. The water trickled out, but it was hot. Kira quickly scrubbed herself clean with the pale pink soap. Gave herself a coat of the generic shampoo and a dollop of conditioner. Shaved her legs and her pits. The purity of the hatred she felt surprised her. If someone had given her the chance to toss Lilly into a vat of acid, she would have taken it without a second thought.
“No more.”
Lilly wrenched Kira out. She barked her leg against the tub, sending a flare of pain down her shin.
Lilly shoved her into the hallway, water dripping off her, no towel. “Back in the cage, get dressed before you piss me off.”
Kira bit back her fury. Don’t give her any excuse to look around the closet.
* * *
The heat in the closet dried her quickly. Her leg ached and when she touched it she felt a bruise rising. Lilly would get in trouble