Vanessa
The soft glow of early morning filters into the room, revealing the silhouette of Danny perched in the corner, a faint sheen of dim light catching on the glass cradled in his hands. I'm pretty sure it's tequila. In this world, I guess mornings don't begin with the comforting aroma of coffee but with the biting edge of alcohol to numb all the violence and death going on.
"Where's Diego?" Heavy with the weight of worry, the question slips from my lips, anchoring my tone. I didn't see him at all yesterday, he didn't even sleep in our bed. Despite his absence, Trixie showed up for another Brazilian wax, which seemed more painful than the first time. Last night, I immersed myself in reading, waiting for him until I passed out from exhaustion. Strangely, I felt...lonely. It's an unsettling feeling, considering I've spent the majority of my life content with only my sister.
"There's an important event you need to attend today. Wear something casual, you will be prepped there," he replies coolly, ignoring my question.
I straighten up, studying his face intently. Shadows carve hollows beneath his eyes, a testament to a sleepless night. His demeanor, the same as yesterday, radiates tension and unease, an aura that clings to him like an invisible cloak. Unsurprisingly, despite asking him over and over and over again, he wouldn't tell me what was going on.
I know it has something to do with Diego. Why else would he be gone for so damn long? Isn't it my right to know if he's in trouble since he's my captor and I somewhat...care about him. I mean, if he dies, whoever killed him will come after me, ready to unleash all kinds of unspeakable horrors, so I need to make sure he's okay.
Interrupted from my thoughts, Danny strides toward the door and casually throws over his shoulder, "I'll meet you downstairs. I suggest you have an appetite today. I don't want to report that you skipped out on breakfast. That won't end well for you."
Unable to resist a playful retort, I shoot back with a smirk, "Come on, Danny, I thought we were somewhat cool now. You know the saying... snitches get stitches or whatever."
He pivots back, the edges of his lips tugging upward. "I'm not losing sleep over your little cat paws; however, I do have a genuine fear of Jefe dragging me into the backyard and putting a bullet in my head."
The smile evaporates from my face. "He'd do that to you even if you're being loyal?" I ask in a hushed whisper.
"In his words, you are his most prized possession," Danny states, pausing to let the weight of those words sink in, his eyes locked onto mine. A shadow seems to pass over his features as he continues, "I have been entrusted to care for you, so what use am I to him if I allow his diamond to lose its luster, its brilliance dulled by my mishandling? It would be the biggest betrayal."
His most prized possession.
With Danny's words hanging over me like a storm cloud, I make a greater effort to eat breakfast, stuffing myself until it feels like I might just burst. I'm finishing off a cup of orange juice when Alicia walks in. She's wearing a black top and leggings, so I'm assuming they told her to dress casually as well. Today, I've chosen a purple sundress, a choice that surprisingly feels comfortable against my skin and doesn't make me feel like a whore.
"Alicia, you're not working today?" I ask, genuinely shocked.
She shakes her head as she sits down across from me. "They said I would be going with you."
A spark of excitement kindles within me. Are we finally going somewhere? Could that be the reason for his absence yesterday, a silent fulfillment of his promise to me?
"Did they mention where we're headed?"
"Of course not," she replies, a touch of exasperation in her voice, rolling her eyes. "You know how it is-things are strictly on a need-to-know basis around here."
Quickly scanning our surroundings, she leans in close, ensuring her words are for my ears only. "How have you been doing alone with Diego? He hasn't forced himself on you, right?" she whispers.
This is the first time she has shown concern about Diego since we've been here. She's been too busy working and having orgies with criminals.
My hand instinctively reaches for my collar. "No," I reply promptly, the touch of the collar becoming an involuntary gesture of reassurance.
It would be simpler if he did. It would solidify the notion in my mind that he's a heartless monster, and I could put an end to these conflicting desires. Yet, he remains patiently awaiting my consent, despite many opportunities to simply take what he wants.
I glance around, noting that Luis, Leroy, and Danny are still in the vicinity. My mind buzzes with questions about what's happening and why we require this level of protection today. My curiosity deepens as I watch them carry cases of weapons out the door.
It would be so easy if I had a phone to contact Diego. My only line of communication is through his men, and it annoys the hell out of me!
As soon as he returns, I've decided that I'm going to demand he provides phones for both me and my sister. Even if they're just burners. I'm exhausted from being spoon-fed tiny morsels of information when there's undoubtedly a much bigger, scarier picture lurking in the shadows. It's time that he stops treating me like a child.