Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Again. That word is doing a lot of work.
“What can we do about it? I mean, if it’s important—”
“Nothing right now.” He turns and looks at me, head tilted. “I keep thinking about something. Ever since I climbed onto that boat, it hit me like a punch to the throat. How did you know they’d be down there?”
I take a step back, lips tugging into a frown. “I didn’t.”
“It was just a coincidence that you looked down into that cave and saw that boat? All while having a panic attack?”
“Yes, it was just total luck.”
“Convenient. Why did you want to join my society, pet?”
“Emilio—”
He advances on me. This feels just like my argument with Lesley but much more dangerous. I move back, trying to wheel away from him, but he grabs my wrist and wrenches me against the wall. I gasp in surprise as he pins me there, sudden and furious. He’s big, muscular, intense, and a jolt of fear spikes into my stomach.
He could break me.
This man is a killer. He doesn’t give a damn about human life, including mine.
“You begged me to go down there and I nearly got myself killed saving those idiots. Why did you do it, pet?”
“I wanted to save their lives. Get off me, asshole.”
“How’d you know they were there? Why did you want to join my society? Who told you about them, pet?”
“Let me go, Emilio.”
He stares at me fiercely. I hold his gaze, looking back, heart racing.
He’s asking the right questions. I had nothing to do with that boat and really did find it thanks to sheer dumb luck, but that other question—that’s what he should be wondering.
Why did I join?
To get revenge. To kill him.
And I’m not sure he knows it yet.
But he will soon.
He holds me there, staring in my eyes. I breathe deep and wait for him to make up his mind—either let me go and accept the risk or break me here and now. Some wild, stupid part of me wants the punishment. I want to feel the pain and the pleasure. I want him to pin me down, spank me, humiliate me, get me off and make me come and moan his name. I want to feel how deep into the darkness he can drag me, except the idea of submitting to this monster twists my stomach.
I’m better than this.
I have to be stronger. If not for myself, then for Lucy.
“Somebody is pushing into my territory,” he says quietly, face inches from mine. “Somebody with funding. They had maps, radar, equipment. They had contacts. Once they wake up, they’ll try it again. A freak storm fucked them over, but we can’t hope for a freak storm every time. This is a problem, pet.”
“What do you want me to do about it? I’m nobody.”
He cracks a soft smile. “You’re somebody. You’re in the Calico Club.”
He finally releases me and steps back. I breathe hard and rub my wrists as he gives me some space, head tilted, considering. After several beats, he nods as if coming to a decision and jabs a finger in my direction.
“You’re coming on a run with me tonight.”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re heading to the coast. I’ll message my people—”
“No way. That’s insane. Some kids almost died—”
“You’re coming with me, pet. You want to remain a member of the Calico? Then you’ll do what I say. How far are you willing to go to prove yourself?” He sneers and shakes his head. “At least you won’t be alone. Everyone else ran the gauntlet themselves, but you’ll have me to make sure you don’t get dashed to bits on the rocks.”
“I don’t know anything about boats. I can’t just—I can’t leave with you.”
Because what will happen if he realizes who I am out in the open water?
Out where there won’t be anyone to save me if he decides to kill me and throw me into the ocean?
I could disappear so easily. Between Saint Parras and California, there will be hours of opportunity, miles and miles of empty ocean, and he could decide to toss me away at any moment.
If I go with him, it’s like walking into my pre-dug grave, lying in a box, and hoping he doesn’t dump earth over my casket.
“How far are you willing to go?”
The question oscillates in my brain. I’ve already gone further than I ever thought possible. I’ve already done things I never dreamed I’d do.
How far?
As far as needed.
Chapter 10
Emilio
“You better not get seasick,” I say as we climb onto the boat. Lesley and Terrence are on the dock, waiting to cast us off. Lesley isn’t happy about that—she made her feelings very clear on our way down—but Terrence doesn’t care either way. He’s got more trust in me, and anyway, Lesley worries too much.
This is a great idea.
“I don’t think I do.” Kaye hesitates, frowning, and I sigh as I dig some Dramamine from my pocket. No reason to take a risk.