Page 18 of Vendetta

The tiny, closet-sized room felt like it was shrinking, and the harsh LED lights from the nest glared in judgment. I was ruined because of him, and now he was selling me.

Everything felt itchy and wrong. The walls loomed, and the ceiling was a menacing weight overhead. Desperation and fury tightened my chest with every breath. I had to get out, but that fucking outer door stood in my way. I tested the handle. It didn’t budge. The door was as solid as could be.

“Let me out!” I screamed at the unyielding wood, the words bouncing back in my face, mocking me. I was never getting out of here. “Open this fucking door!”

My heart slammed against my ribs as I pummeled the cold, hard surface. I took my rage out on the poor, undeserving thing, and when I’d finally exhausted myself, I laughed. This was my own fault. If I’d been a better daughter, my mother wouldn’t have left. If I’d been a boy, my father would’ve cared about me. If my brother hadn't been murdered, he would have saved me from this mess.

God, I missed him. He would never have let them treat me this way.

I turned and let my back slide down the door until I was seated on the floor, my heart heavy in my chest. Abandoned again, wanted only as a commodity to trade.

All I’d ever wanted was freedom. I choked on a laugh at my lie.

The only thing I’d really wanted was love, but that was never going to happen. Everyone I'd cared about was gone, left, or killed in this ugly life. I wanted love, but I’d settle for freedom. That would have to be enough.

A shadow under the table caught my eye, and I leaned forward, brushing my fingertips over the soft fabric. My hand closed around the stolen hoodie, and I dragged it to my chest, comforted by the faint clove and sandalwood scent that clung to it. Just holding it calmed me, but that wasn't enough. I needed it on me, all over me. I pulled off my shirt and tugged the hoodie over my head, feeling the fluffy softness on my bare skin.

Better. So much better.

I nuzzled into the collar where the scent was strongest, and my racing heart slowed to a crawl. This was what I needed. But still, I wanted more. I shimmied out of my jeans and was surprised to see my cell on the floor. It must have fallen when I pulled the hoodie out. That wouldn't get me out of here. I had no one to call for help, but at least my father hadn't taken it.

With my phone in hand, I kicked off my panties and crawled back into my nest, slamming the connecting door behind me. I jabbed the dimmer switch until blissful darkness washed over me.

Chapter 12

Cruz

If the way Maria was acting was anything to go by, Rosalina was going to be in there for a while. With nothing else to do, I sprawled in the comfortable chair next to the bed, hard as nails after struggling with the little hellcat. It gave me a decent view of the entry door and all the windows. I wasn’t likely to need a tactical advantage, but I knew what I was doing. It should be easy enough to appear competent in case anyone thought to check up on me.

The link Ollie sent my phone was burning a hole in my pocket, and I shifted in my chair.

Nico needed an update. It was the only excuse I could think of to pull my phone out. As I tapped on my text app, I wondered what Rosa was doing locked away, alone in that cramped space. There was zero reason I should be thinking about her or how soft her skin was under my hands. Nope, I was absolutely not going to check on her. Instead, I texted Nico.

Cruz: We've got access to the security cameras on the property. Including the secure areas.

Nico: Good

That was all he had to say?

Good?

Really? Thanks for fucking nothing.

His brief reply didn't distract me like I’d hoped, and before I could stop myself, I was swiping through the security feeds, right back to Rosa's nest. I should ignore her. I knew better than to get caught up in this. She was our next target. Despite my best efforts to stay away from her private camera feed, I couldn't.

She'd been crying earlier, and my alpha instinct wanted nothing more than to unlock the door and go to her, comfort her like the omega she was. But for now, a dimly lit, black and white, night vision image would have to do.

There were so many reasons I shouldn't be watching this. I shouldn't know that she'd stripped off her clothes and left them discarded on the anteroom floor, or that her long, sleek legs were bare, and the hem of Nico’s black sweater barely covered the tops of her thighs.

My slacks were uncomfortably tight all of a sudden, and I shifted in the chair. I shouldn't be watching as her delicate fingers trailed a path over the curves of her breasts, or when her back arched, pressing them up into her palms. I shouldn't see the white sliver of her teeth pressed into the light gray swell of her lower lip or how her brows furrowed with need. I shouldn't have followed the path of her hand as it pressed between her legs, or watched her hips rock against the fabric. I shouldn't have felt the need to kiss her when her lips parted on a gasp, either.

But I did, and I couldn't look away.

Nico

I stared at the text from Cruz. I was grateful for his foresight, camera access would come in handy. That got me thinking about last night, and the girl whose whimpers I couldn't get out of my head.

The link mocked me from the glossy screen. Did I need to go snooping around my enemy’s security feeds? No. But there was a chance something useful might turn up, like those soft lips and silky thighs that plagued my every thought.