“You’re going to marry me the moment you’re out of that fucking hospital.” There’s no doubt in my conviction. I want her. I want this. And she’s not dying on my watch. Her hand that’s holding mine squeezes once, and it’s as if she’s shoved her hand into my chest because the moment she does it, my heart squeezes just the same.
“We have to go,” one of the paramedics tells me, and I nod, following him into the back of the ambulance. They know who I am, they know that I’m not leaving her, so it doesn’t take long for the doors to shut, and, soon enough, we’re on our way, speeding down the drive and out onto the road.
33
Victor
The ambulance races through the streets. The men who are trying desperately to keep my girl alive are glancing at me warily, knowing who I am and what I can do to them if she dies. My body is tense, my jaw aches from the clenching of my teeth, and I’m fisting the knife in my belt sheath as if it’s the only thing keeping me calm.
There’s blood everywhere. Her body is bruised, and I know the fucker took what wasn’t his to take. It’s going to be pleasant when I gut the asshole like a fish. But first, I need to make sure she’s okay. My cellphone rings, and I pull it out to find Dr. Fonseca’s name flashing on the screen.
“Doctor.”
“I’m at the hospital, we’re ready. We have the heart, and my team is prepped to get the transplant underway.” His words are like a salve to my wounded psyche.
It’s just then that we pull into the emergency bay at the hospital. “We’ve just pulled up. See you in a bit, doctor.” I hang up before he can say anything more. The doors swing open, I’m out and on my feet in seconds, watching helplessly as they wheel my beautiful juguete into the sterile building.
“Mr. Cordero,” Fonseca shakes my hand in greeting. “She’s in good hands. I promise.”
“Don’t let me down, doctor.” I may sound like a concerned man, but there’s a threat hanging heavily in my words. If something happens to Sofía, this man will lose his life, and I wouldn’t think twice about slicing his chest open and taking his heart.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but I’ll save her.” His promise is confident, and I nod as I watch them disappear through the doors. I can’t go farther than this, so I close my eyes, inhale a deep breath and pull out my cellphone.
“Javi, I want to finish this tonight,” I tell him.
“I’m around the corner,” he informs me and hangs up. I head out the doors again and pull out my smokes and light one in the hopes that my racing heart can ease it’s violent thudding against my ribs. Making a kill will do that, but for now, a cigarette will have to do.
One of my black SUVs pulls up. The door swings open, and I slip into the passenger seat with Javier at the helm. He doesn’t say a word; instead, he pulls out onto the road, and soon, we’re on our way to the warehouse.
I’m chain smoking and on my third one by the time we reach our destination. My body is thrumming, my blood simmering, and I’m lost to the violence that’s electrifying every nerve-ending in my body.
Jumping out of the car, Javi and I make our way toward the large, looming building. I can’t believe it’s been almost eight weeks since I first brought Sofía here to see her father. And I can’t believe it’s almost been two months since I stole her as payment.
“I want this. I’ll finish it,” I tell Javi, as we step over the threshold and into the dank space that holds nothing more than a chair and a body that will soon be taken away in pieces. Rodrigo is bound tightly, his face a mess from my fists making contact with it earlier.
I reach him, and his eyes snap to mine. There’s a dark, sadistic smile on his face. I can’t wait to wipe it off with my blade. Most of my men carry guns, and I have a collection of beauties, but I find that a knife is so much more… personal.
“Has your whore died yet?” he chuckles, and my fist makes contact with his jaw yet again. Another blow makes contact with his nose, and there’s a sickening crunch, which makes me smile. Rodrigo’s grunts of agony are music to my ears.
“Did you enjoy trying to claim her?” I hiss in his face as I pull out my weapon. I toy with the blade across his lips, and slowly, ever so gently, I press the tip of steel against his bottom teeth and allow it to lower until I’m making contact with his gum.