Vanessa
"Could we swing by McDonald's?" Alicia asks, positioned on my other side as I'm seated way too close to Diego.
"There's food at the club," Diego mutters, still engrossed in his phone like he has been the entire ride. I crave a diversion from his powerful scent and warmth, but I know he wouldn't trust us with a phone.
"What kind of food? I'm kinda in the mood for a burger and some fries."
"Shut up, Alicia," I mutter under my breath.
I get it, though. We barely had any food for seven years, so she's savoring every bite of freedom. Maybe getting kidnapped by the mafia was a blessing in disguise for her, but I'll never find any gratitude in it.
"I wish you would stop acting so bitchy, Nessa. Just two days ago we were in a worse situation than we are now," she points out, adjusting the skimpy "uniform" Diego gave her. "We can have food. Dick. Access to other human beings. Shit, I'll even fuck Diego if you won't do it."
"Not interested," he grumbles beside me.
She ignores him and continues, "I mean look at us actually wearing clothing that exposes our skin. Dad never would've let us wear these without pretty much saying we deserve to be raped for not dressing like boys." I pinch her, and she yelps, "Ow! What the hell was that for?"
But it's already too late.
Diego's full attention is on us as he slips his phone into his pocket, his eyes cold and calculating. "Antonio said that, huh?"
"Yeah. I'm glad that you killed him, and as fucked up as it sounds, I mean that," Alicia says nonchalantly.
Ugh, why is she still talking?
He strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Vanessa, let's make a truce. If you're honest with me, I'll be honest with you. I think this will ensure that our arrangement goes smoothly."
Honesty? What the hell does he know about honesty?
And I wish he would stop referring to my kidnapping as an "arrangement".
I roll my eyes and mockingly retort, "Aww, did you realize acting like an asshole isn't getting me to open my legs for you, and you're going to pretend to be a good guy who doesn't kidnap and kill people?"
I know I'm poking the bear, but I don't give a fuck. Sitting in this car with both him and my sister is really starting to piss me off.
His icy glare cuts through me. "I never claimed to be a good man, but I am fair. My club is legal, I treat my employees well, and I only kill when it's necessary. Your father's death was necessary, don't you agree?" he asks calmly.
He watches me, patiently awaiting my reply. His stoic expression only fuels my rage and makes me hate him more. I don't care how he views himself, he'll always be a monster to me!
"Oh, so if you would've killed us the other night, that would've been justified?" I bite out.
He nods. "Sí. When you join the mafia, your family becomes mine. When your father betrayed me, he knew what was at stake. He obviously didn't think he'd be caught, or he just didn't give a fuck about his own daughters."
My heart pangs. He wasn't the best father, but Mom's death changed him. Maybe he just didn't love us nearly as much as he loved her.
"You're right, he didn't," Alicia replies sourly, "he kept us locked in a house for seven years with security alarms on every door and window. He limited our internet access, and he starved-"
"Alicia, please shut the fuck up! Why are you telling him that? Our home life is none of his concern," I hiss, my frustration boiling over.
She shrugs. "I don't know, there's just something about him that makes me want to tell him my whole life."
Yeah, it's called being the Devil.
My arms are tightly folded against my chest as I turn my attention back to the window.
"Vanessa."
My head snaps back in his direction. "What?" I growl, annoyed at myself for even acknowledging him.
His gaze becomes gentle, like a calm ocean. "I'll make sure you're safe and well taken care of while you're with me."
His words ignite a flicker of emotion in me, but I push it away. I don't need anyone to save me, especially not someone like him!
"Take care of me? Please!" I scoff. "You're just another power-hungry control freak. I can't wait for these six months to be over."
He lets out a loud sigh, his eyes boring into mine. "Once I can trust you, you'll have more freedom. But for now, you're a risk," he says firmly.
"But you're taking me to your club?"
I'll find a way to escape, and once I do, he won't be able to track me down. I'll change my identity and start fresh in a new country. Anything to never have to see his face again.
As if he can read my mind, he grins. "There is security everywhere. You'll only waste your time trying to escape," he says matter-of-factly.
I want to knock that stupid, cocky smirk off his face.
I won't know if it's a waste of time until I try. He's trying to get into my head, make me complacent, but I'll never give up. I'll stick with my plan and maybe I can get just one person to help and call the police.
"We're here," he announces.