His Territory

21

Ricardo's grip is rough as he twists my arm behind my back, shoving me out of the store and into the night. His fingers dig into my skin, and he hisses at me to keep quiet as he drags me toward the alley, pulling me into the shadows where the streetlights can't reach.

He spins me around to face him, and I instantly recognize him as Adrián's primo.

"Ricardo, what the actual fuck are you doing?" I scream, hoping someone—anyone—will hear me.

"Shut the fuck up, puta!" he snaps, pulling a roll of duct tape from his pocket and slapping it over my mouth before I can protest. He grabs my wrists, binding them together with the same brutal efficiency, his movements rough and methodical.

As he shoves the tape back in his pocket, his hand wraps around my throat, forcing me against the rough brick wall. My head collides with the bricks, pain blooming across my skull, and my vision blurs as a pounding headache takes hold.

"You thought you could just leave us, amorcita? You have no idea how hurt we were. Adrián and I..." He trails off, sucking his teeth. A twisted smirk spreads across his face as he leans closer, trailing his lips across my cheek, his breath hot against my skin. "Next time you don't want to be found, don't pay for gas with someone else's debit card." He chuckles darkly, the sound chilling me to the core.

He pulls back, his hand still on my throat, while his free hand fishes a phone from his pocket. He dials a number, and after a moment, his eyes lock onto mine as he speaks. "Jefe, I've got her."

I know immediately that Adrián is on the other end, and fear knots my stomach. Ricardo presses a button, putting the call on speaker.

"Lucia, ¿qué tal?" Adrián's voice is smooth, his tone disturbingly calm, almost pleasant.

Ricardo laughs, his grip on me tightening. "Ay, homie, she's a little tongue-tied right now. What do you want me to do with her?"

"I'll be stopping by her place shortly. Find her phone and take it from her, then head to the airport. I've sent you some tickets." Adrián sounds so casual, like this is just another errand. His lack of urgency makes my blood run cold.

Ricardo pockets the phone and starts patting me down, his hands lingering far too long. When he reaches my waist, he slides his hands over my hips and squeezes, making me recoil. He lifts my hoodie, his eyes roaming over my body with a disgusting hunger, and I begin to tremble as his lips curl into a lecherous smile.

I can't hold back the tears, and they slide down my cheeks, muffled sobs escaping from behind the tape. I brace myself, heart pounding, fearing what he'll do next.

But he simply pulls my hoodie back down and returns his hand to my throat. "Where's your phone, bitch?" he growls, his fingers tightening.

I shake my head, my vision blurring as the tears continue to fall, unable to answer.

He huffs, pulling his phone back out. "She doesn't have it, bro."

Adrián's voice cuts through the speaker again. "Yeah, I know. Ay, chula, is your password still the same?"

My eyes widen, panic flooding through me as I realize he's at my house.

"Ah, good girl. Thank God you make my life easy." Adrián chuckles, a cold sound that makes my skin crawl. "I gotta let you go, bro. I have another call to make. I'm sure Los Reyes will want an update on Lucia, no?" His laugh grows louder, and Ricardo joins in before ending the call.

Ricardo grins, his eyes gleaming with dark excitement. "You heard him. We've got a flight to catch, baby." He peels the tape from my mouth and unties my hands.

"If you scream, I'll kill you right here. ¿Claro?"

I nod, choking back my sobs as he shoves me out of the alley, guiding me around the corner to a waiting black car. He opens the door and pushes me inside, slamming it shut before running around to the driver's side. He slides in, a wild grin spreading across his face as he reaches for my thigh.

"Oh, you're gonna get it, girl!" he howls, slamming his hand down on my leg with a grip that makes me wince. He puts the car into drive, peeling away from the curb.

"Where are we going?" I ask quietly, trying to keep my voice steady.

He lets out a harsh laugh, raising his hand and slapping me across the face, the sting radiating through my cheek. I bite my tongue, fighting back tears.

"Who the fuck do you think you're talking to, bitch?" He tightens his grip on my thigh, his fingers digging in so hard I can already feel the bruises forming beneath his hand. "We're taking you home."

My stomach twists as I realize the horrifying truth behind his words.

They're taking me back to Adrián. And I know with a sickening certainty that he plans to kill me.