Page 12 of Haze of Obedience

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His pecs are as hard as steel.

Focus. He's part of them.

I wonder what he looks like naked.

A branch scrapes on my leg. "Ow."

"Sorry, ma'am. It's dense here."

"More blood. What do I care?" I mumble in Spanish into his chest.

"Ma'am. Sorry?"

I don't know why I speak in Spanish when he speaks English. Maybe I should be grateful he's rescuing me from the pit and taking me back to civilization.

Civilization. It will never be what it was before you switched management teams.

I return to the question of whether going back is better than staying in the jungle. I decide that my current situation is better than returning to the life I had with Jonas Torres and the other Global Leaders.

"Put me down."

"Ah, she speaks English too," he mutters cockily.

I push away from him and almost fall out of his arms. Panic seizes me. "Put me down," I say louder.

"Ma'am, you need to be quiet," he growls and tightens his arms around me.

I cry out my demand again.

He covers my mouth and fiercely whispers, "Ma'am—"

I slap him as hard as I can across the cheek.

His head jerks back, and he stops. He continues to cover my mouth. "Ma'am, I'm trying—"

I slap him again.

"What are you doing? I'm trying to get you to safety. You're going to get everyone killed."

Safety? What is safety?

Is he really rescuing me?

No, it's not possible.

But is it?

You don't want to get the other girls hurt no matter where they are taking us.

"I'm going to uncover your mouth now. If you scream or hit me again, I will find a way to muzzle you. Do you understand?"

I nod.

When he lets go of my hand, I whisper in Spanish, "I'm not a dog. And you don't own me."

"Quiet," he says in an annoyed hushed tone.

I shut my mouth, and we continue the journey. Within minutes, we get through the thick trees and come out to a two-track path.

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