Chapter 60
He gives me a sharp look, clearly irritated.
“You think I’m not a professional?”
“I think you’re the cheap option.”
“You’re unbelievably arrogant.”
“My enemies say that a lot. And I don’t consider you an enemy.”
He seems offended that I’m not taking him seriously and treating him with such indifference.
A technique that always works to throw off guys like him.
The second they sense even a trace of fear, they think they’re in control.
And once they lose it, they start showing their hand.
“You’re just as annoying as I heard.”
“Always with the ‘they said‘. Do you also need someone to tell you when to go pee?”
I start laughing while staring him down, trying to keep it under control.
The tactic seems to be working.
“Bitch!”
He starts to close the distance between us, but then stops suddenly, like he remembered something.
Why waste time talking to me if he just wants to kill me? I don’t understand what he’s after.
Paco smiles slyly, watching me, and starts clapping as I stay still.
“I admit, you’re tough. You nearly broke me with all your insults.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re trying to get the name of who sent me, but believe me–you’ll never find out!
You know why? Because you can’t even imagine or guess why I’m standing here in front of you.”
“You’re just an idiot acting like a hitman because your dick’s too small to think for yourself.”
He clenches his fists.
“Your little jabs are starting to really piss me off, and that’s not good for you.”
You want to drive a man crazy? Talk about his sexual performance and dick size.
“I’m pissed because you touched Maria–and at the same time, I pity you. You’re pathetic with your fake tough–guy act.”
He clenches his fists tighter and looks at me with pure rage,
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My plan is starting to work.
“I’m going to put a hole in you, Paco.”
“I doubt that. You know why?”
He steps back and heads toward the bed a few meters away.
I watch him closely, ready to use my weapon.
He bends down and picks something up from the floor, then turns around and shows me pieces of cloth.
“You’re going to lie down obediently on that bed.”
He looks serious.
“You think I’m just going to let you?”
“Go open the wardrobe over there.”
I cautiously open the wardrobe and freeze:
A little girl, no older than twelve, is inside.
A gag over her mouth keeps her silent, her hands and feet tied with rope.
She’s crying and soaked with sweat.
She’s thin, dark–skinned, with black hair, brown eyes, delicate features, and a look of panic in her eyes.
She reminds me of myself when I was younger.
I’m about to touch her when Paco shouts, warning me not to try anything.
“I’d advise you not to touch her.”
“What is she doing here?”
“Maybe I’m crazy–but better follow my instructions.”
“Oh yeah? And why?”
Paco pulls a remote control from his back pocket.
He slowly walks toward the back of the room, where a crate is covered by a sheet.
When he removes it, the girl screams in terror despite the gag.
An American pit bull terrier stands in front of me, chained.
He’s black and white, with visible burn marks on his back.
His stare gives me chills while he growls ferociously and aggressively.
How the hell didn’t I hear him before? Paco was talking so much I didn’t pay attention to the sounds around us.
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Chapter 60
I’m way more scared of the dog than of him.
How did he get a beast like this?
That breed is banned in France–it can kill with one bite.
“One wrong move and I open this cage with my remote, and my dog will tear the girl apart in one bite.
You might have time to shoot me, but I’ll have had time to open the cage.”
His smug smile grows.
“I think you know how fast this animal is–no chance of saving the girl.
And I hope you’re not thinking about shooting the dog first, because from this distance and given his speed, that’d be a very stupid choice.
Son of a bitch.
The girl wouldn’t survive a second against that monster.
I got played by this bum.
I never would’ve guessed the dog and the girl.
This whole setup was staged to make me powerless.
I look at the terrified little girl.
Il protect you, don’t worry, everything will be okay. I promise you’ll get out of here alive.”
She nods weakly, then I turn to Paco.
TI let you tie me to the bed if you let her go.”
“What guarantees that I’ll let her go?”
“You’ll have to take me at my word
1 look at him with disgust
He’s a true piece of shit. And I’m stuck
Men are easy to break through their pride.
Me, my weakness is clearly the innocent
His employer must know me well to have advised him so cleverly
“Toss your weapon over here?
I pull my gun from the back of my pants
I throw it on the ground, then kick it hard toward Paco
He catches it and picks it up.
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Chapter 60
“I need to frisk you.”
He walks over and slams me against the filthy warehouse wall.
He searches me, grabbing my ass and pressing firmly on my chest.
I stay expressionless.
I fix my eyes on the little girl to show her not to worry–that everything will be fine.
“Take off your jacket.”
I obey, and he looks inside my top and pulls a knife from my bra.
He grins while pinching my nipple.
“Nice hiding spot. Now lie down on the bed.”
“Let the girl go first.”
“You think you’re in a position to give orders? Don’t forget–I’ve still got the remote, and my dog’s starving.”
I walk heavily toward the bed, Paco right behind me.
The bed is in pitiful shape–barely standing, with cigarette burns on the yellowed, hole–filled mattress.
I lie down, letting him tie my wrists tightly to the headboard with the cloth.
He smiles at my helplessness.
He bends down and pulls a black gym bag from under the bed.
He sets down the remote and pulls out a gun from the bag, pointing it at me.
“It’s just you and me now. Let the girl go.”
“You’re right. I want us to be alone for what I’m about to do to you.”
He heads to the wardrobe and yanks the girl out violently.
He removes the gag and the ropes that bound her.
She gives me a compassionate look and I answer with a reassuring smile.
She bolts toward the exit, and I watch her go, filled with relief.
Paco watches her with indifference.
All that matters is that she gets out–nothing else matters.
I hear a gunshot and barking.
Just as she’s about to open the warehouse door, Paco shoots her in the head.
She collapses to the ground.
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Chapter 60
“No! You gave me your word!”
I scream in horror.
I thrash, trying to break free from the restraints even though I know it’s impossible.
“Why did you do that? She was just a kid! She only wanted to be free!”
I keep screaming, pulling with all my strength to break the ties, but it’s useless.
My throat tightens, and tears start to rise.
I feel a tear slide down my cheek.
I curse myself for daring to show weakness.
I bite down hard on my lip to stop more tears from falling–and especially to keep my composure in front of this bastard.
Get a grip, Inara.
This is not the time to cry or show that he just got to you.
