Page 44 of Desperate Temptations

There was no way she’d let this sick bastard put his lips on her. Martinez growled, using a voice that sent terror through her.

“The bitch actually expected I’d pay her money for you and clear her husband’s debts to me. I’m sorry, babe, but you’re not worth that much to me.”

She was pissing Martinez off, but she didn’t care.

Martinez pushed her violently into a chair, the chair tipping back under the force. She gained her balance before sitting quietly. The color washed out of her face when he started talking again.

“I want her taken to my place in Hammond,” he said with amusement. “I want to spend some quality time with her. I like her spunk. I think she’ll put up a good fight.” Both men looked at her. “Call Michaels, tell him I’ve got a beauty I’ll sell him in a few days when I’m done with her.”

Another man spoke, sending chills down her spine. “Boss, can we have a go at her before you sell her? She’s a pretty piece of ass.”

Martinez watched her, and she knew he was taking pleasure in her fear.

“Yeah, I think that could be arranged. It’s not like she’s a virgin. Come by on Thursday to pick her up. You’ll have several hours until Michaels picks her up. Just don’t let any bruises show on her face, and don’t rough her up too much. Michaels won’t pay me for damaged goods.”

Oh, my God, she thought. They were going to rape her. All of them! She wouldn’t, couldn’t survive that. The thought of any other man besides Cain touching her filled her with rage and despair.

Deep regret assailed her. If only she’d told him how she felt. Neither of them had said they loved each other yet, and she wished he knew how much she truly loved him. She was definitely afraid for herself. But she was also saddened that Cain would be hurt by her abduction. Knowing him, he’d look for her forever.

She looked up at the men, her voice trembling with terror. “Why am I here, Mr. Martinez? I’m not a threat to you.”

He rubbed a thumb over his lip, contemplating her, holding her gaze with his evil, frozen one.

“No, you were never a threat. If you had been, you’d be dead right now. But when Nicolson pointed you out to me, I wanted you, and I knew I could get some good money for you when I was done. Didn’t you know human trafficking was a nice side business for me?”

Jessa could tell Martinez was amused at the look of horror that crossed her face, but she couldn’t keep her emotions from showing.

Bile rose in her throat. She’d do whatever she had to, even die, before she let this man touch her. He was still staring at her. Everything about him gave her the creeps. Some people might think this man was handsome.

He was maybe five-ten, slim. He had dark skin and dark eyes. She guessed he might be part Mexican. Even though he and Cain both had dark eyes, they couldn’t be more different. Cain’s eyes were hot and alive when he looked at her, and warmth always spread through her body.

This man’s eyes were as cold as a snake’s. There was nothing in them that showed his humanity.

“Why did you kill my husband?” This was her chance, probably her only chance, to get answers to her questions.

“I didn’t,” Martinez answered, amused and enjoying the situation.

She jerked in disbelief and stared at him for long seconds, trying to come to terms with this new information. She believed him. He had no reason to lie. Jessa’s heart sank deeper into an abyss. She had spent so much time following him, and it was all for nothing.

“Then, do you know who did?”

Martinez pointed the gun he still had in his hand at the dead woman bleeding out on the cold concrete next to her.

“That bitch’s husband.”

She shook her head in disbelief. No! Shock and a terrible sense of bitterness filled her soul.

“Why? For what reason would he kill Drew? They were friends,” she replied in a low, tormented voice.

“It seems your husband found out about some of Gary’s and my business dealings and was getting ready to file charges. Gary also thought Drew knew he wanted you for himself,” he said and smirked. “Unfortunately, he will not get the pleasure of your company.”

A dark, sickening grief filled her heart. She felt the world was spinning out of control, and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. The depth of despair and rage, the likes of which she’d never expected existed, raced through her body. She looked at the men, both of whom were involved in a discussion, and no one was paying attention to her.

She carefully slid her hand into her purse, slowly pulling out the gun, flipping off the safety. Something in her mind shut off. Even knowing she would die within seconds, she wanted to take this evil man off the face of the earth, for Drew, for Aubrey, and for her.

Jessa pointed at the gun, pulled the trigger, and watched a neat hole pierce the side of Martinez’s head. He fell, his blood seeping onto the concrete, mixing with the woman’s he’d killed a moment ago.

She didn’t notice anything else. She sensed chaos had erupted around her, but she closed her eyes and waited for the shot that would end her life.

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