Page 91 of August

“You sicced Micha on me,” Alec said accusingly, taking a step closer to Marko and putting a tiny bit more distance between Gigi and him.

“I didn’t.” Marko spoke slowly, carefully. His voice lacked defiance. “You need stitches.”

“You did this,” Alec spat. His skin was wan. Sweat poured off his face, and nicks and scratches tore up his cheeks. The bite wounds on his arm were deep.

“Micha doesn’t like you, man. You scared her.”

Alec whirled on Gigi, and she tensed. “Because of her.”

She balled her hands into fists, ready to strike this time. He wouldn’t catch her off guard again. She’d rip off his face if he touched her again.

Words swelled on her tongue but she kept her teeth together, not wanting her temper to send her into a fistfight with the monster.

His breath was ragged, and the violent streak that flashed in his eyes made her coil closer to the wall. But he didn’t strike. Instead, his hand shot out to brace himself on the wall.

“Lock her up, for fuck’s sake!” Alec turned and made his way to the bathroom. The door slammed.

Marko’s hand curled around her elbow, and he led her back to the room where Micha had attacked Alec. Blood stained the mattress and was splattered on the floor and walls. She swallowed at the sight. Micha had done a number on the guy, thankfully. Otherwise, he’d surely be beating Gigi to a pulp right now.

Marko flung her to the floor and pulled out the duct tape. Returning the cardboard to the window, he moved toward her. The air sizzled with unspoken words. Gigi’s senses prickled. He yanked off a long strip of tape and circled it tightly around her wrists.

Looking over her shoulder, she met his gaze. “You don’t have to do this.”

Marko’s face tightened. “You have no idea what I have to do.”

“You could let me go.”

He snorted. “If you get away on my watch again, Alec will blow my head off.”

She dragged her teeth over her bottom lip, her mind working at breakneck speed to think of something, anything while Alec was distracted. “I can get you money.”

His eyes narrowed. “I can get money, too.”

“What do you want then?” She didn’t hide the note of resignation in her voice.

“You can’t do what I need done.”

“Tell me.”

His bruised cheekbone twitched. “All right. I want Alvarez dead. He killed my mother and brother.”

Gigi’s eyes widened. “Why do you work for him?”

He turned the roll of tape in his palms. “Because the cartel is all I’ve ever known. My father was loyal to Alvarez until the day he died. My brother crossed Alvarez and—” He cleared his throat. “He killed my mother in front of both of us. Spared me to prove a point.”

A rush of sympathy filled her. She straightened her spine. “Let me help you.”

Marko’s loose laugh filled the room. “How? Alvarez already met your boyfriend and killed Todd. There’s nothing else Alvarez wants except you disposed of. Only reason why he’s waiting is to see if you’d be suited for trafficking over death.”

His words hammered against Gigi’s senses. August had met with Alvarez to hand over Todd. He knew she was missing—was searching for her. Hope fluttered in her chest and emotion washed over her like cool rain after a hot tropical day. But the rest of Marko’s statement clung to her shoulders.

If August didn’t get to her soon, he’d be too late. She’d rather die than spend one day in the sex trade. She had to speak now, to get through to Marko and get him to believe her. He was her only shot.

“I can promise you that if the men who are trying to rescue me find me, they’ll do what you want. They’ll take care of Alvarez. You’ll be free.”

Slowly, he shook his head. “I’ll never be free.” Pausing at the door, he met her gaze with a dark, hopeless stare. “Alvarez will be here soon. If you want to live, be quiet. Don’t challenge him.”

Marko turned and left the room, shutting and locking the door behind him.

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