Page 94 of August

“But you did.” Alvarez slid his gaze to Alec and gestured at Gigi’s shirt. “Looks like you started without me.”

Alec shrugged. “Didn’t get very far because of your bitch dog.”

Alvarez’s lips turned down at the corners, and he nodded as if in understanding. “Rule number one—don’t touch my merchandise, sí?”

Alec’s nostrils flickered. “Sí,” he blurted.

“Good.” Alvarez pulled a gun with a long silencer attached from the front of his pants and trained it on Alec. “And don’t call my dog a bitch.”

Gigi pulled her knees into her chest and hid her face.

Crack!

Gigi shrieked and squeezed her eyes shut as she heard blood hit the wall. Her chest thumped. Sirens of panic screeched in her head.

She held her breath. Her lungs burned with the need for air, but she didn’t move. When no bullet entered her skull, she slowly opened her eyes. Alec was sprawled on the floor, his head turned toward her, his eyes glassy and unblinking.

A whimper leaked from her lips. She hoped Alvarez couldn’t hear it over his own voice as he spoke to Marko.

She needed to tear her eyes away, but she couldn’t. Even in death, Alec made shivers rake over her skin. His presence still hung in the room, his spirit haunting every breath she took. Never mind the fact that his brain matter decorated the yellowing taupe paint behind him.

“You got anything to say, amigo?”

Gigi swiveled her head toward Alvarez and Marko.

Marko shook his head. “No, boss.”

“Good. Set up the room. I want an easy cleanup and good lighting.” Alvarez stormed out of the bedroom.

Gigi sat forward. Hysteria gripped her ribcage. “What does he mean?” she whispered.

Marko kept his gaze down.

“Hey,” she growled.

His eyes, dark holes of despair, met hers. For a minute, pity surrounded her heart. Maybe if circumstances had been different, if Marko had been dealt a different hand, he might not be such a bad guy. But he’d lost too much, and the fear of meeting Alec’s fate was prominent in his sunken gaze.

She wet her lips. “I can still help you,” she said, striving for a tone that didn’t sound desperate. “Please.” She searched his gaze for any sign of the compassion she’d seen earlier. “We don’t need to end up like him.” Without looking at Alec’s lifeless body, she jerked her head in his direction.

Marko swung his gaze to the body then to the doorway and back to her. “The setup is plastic. Less mess for cleanup. I guess he wants you dead.”

Gigi gulped and drew back her head. “I—I.”

“He probably wants to get back to Mexico. Things got sloppy here.”

Fuck. She’d still rather die than face trafficking, but she also wanted more time. She wasn’t going to get it.

“The lighting is for the video to send to your family.” He lifted a shoulder. “Taking responsibility for your death shows he’s above them.”

A terrified breath left her, and the sound was foreign to her ears. “Please. Don’t let him do this. I just need to stall and he’ll find me.”

Marko’s eyes narrowed into mean slits. “Your man already failed once. Should’ve shot Alvarez when he had the chance. There’s no turning back now.”

“You’re a coward,” she said, her voice filled with indignation. “He’ll do to you exactly what he did to your family and Alec.”

Tension radiated between them, and then Marko’s face fell. “You’re right, señorita.” He flipped the mattress onto its side and propped it against the wall before looking at her again. “Unfortunately for you, I am a coward.” He picked up a folding chair and opened it beneath the window. “Now sit. Your time’s up.”

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