Merciless Love: A Dark Romance(9)

Only an asshole like you calls a demand written in blood a request.

“I have...a prospect.” Damn it, I wasn't sure what else to call her.

Couldn't bring myself to call Cassie a piece of meat or even a whore. Definitely not a fucking companion – his word for the women he enslaved.

“It's going to take a little time to train her like you want...but I've got a good feeling about this girl. You'll like her.”

“Text me the pictures.”

I swallowed. “Not so simple. She pitched a fit on the way in and hurt herself. Nothing serious. You told me you wanted a fighter...”

“Indeed.” His face wasn't betraying anything now.

I could practically feel the evil fascination rippling behind the screen. Made me want to fucking puke.

“You'll have your pictures next week,” I continued. “Let me get her settled in and cleaned up. Get everybody on the right page. She's a very pretty girl, and a virgin too.”

He cocked his head. “You checked?”

“Course not. But where she comes from, there's no fucking way she's anything else. I picked her just for you.”

“I'm holding you to your promises, Cole. If she isn't what you claim she is when she gets here...we have ways to verify. Modern techniques. Not the medieval voodoo I can tell you're thinking about, though that would be much more fun.” His smile resurfaced as he paused. “For me.”

Bastard. I wanted to wipe it off his fucking face forever, and then keep going 'til he didn't have a jaw left on his skull.

“One week. That's all I ask. She'll be the prettiest thing you ever saw, Miguel. I promise.”

“I trust you, Cole. You've got the ultimate incentive to do your job right this time. You will not disappoint me again.”

I nodded. No, dammit, the bastard had me there. I wouldn't disappoint him for Ty's sake, though this job was going to darken what little soul I had left.

“You know I'm not concerned about a few scratches. Just as long as there's plenty room for a thousand more.” He held the phone further, and I watched his free hand twitch on the armrest, as if a lion were sharpening its claws. “I've never had a virgin before. Will she scream more when I get between her legs, or when I sink my teeth into her throat?”

I didn't say a damned thing. Fuck, I wished I hadn't exercised before the call because it was turning my lungs to clay, making it damned hard to breathe.

“What do you say, Cole? Think she'll still be afraid after you get through with her? I want her obedient, yes, but I hope she'll be receptive to my surprises. Whatever you do, don't take that away from me.”

“I know what to do, Miguel. It's not like I haven't done this kinda shit for you before...”

“But never this. This job, you've only seen bits and pieces of from afar. It was never your specialty until we drove our new hard bargain.” He exhaled slowly, his cruel face tensing up. “I've waited a long time for this. Way too fucking long. I've been so patient, waiting for you to repay me in blood. Do you know my last companion was buried when you were still on payroll?”

Buried. Jesus Christ.

My heart dropped like an elevator. I lowered my head, imagining the fucker watching me and holding in his laughter. He enjoyed toying with me, especially after Jenny.

“I didn't know, Miguel. Next week. The dry spell will be over. Promise.” Silence passed for a full minute.

Then he brought the phone closer and looked at me with those pitch black eyes. “Well? What are you waiting for? Do your damned job and get me the girl, as quickly as you can. Don't waste a single second.”

The screen went blank, and the phone dinged to signal the call had ended. I dropped the fucking thing and turned to the wall, pushing my fists against the brick. The pressure kept me from heaving up my guts.

I'd seen his last companion, only a couple months before everything went to hell. She was sitting on his lap when I came to his office, a thin girl with a sleek silver dress that looked way too tight to be comfortable. He was getting angrier as he told me about the latest target, some old high level mule who'd turned traitor. She was taking the brunt of his rage.

I watched her move uncomfortably as he shoved her hip against his desk, crushed her between his hands and hard cherry wood. The companion started to whimper through the last few minutes of the meeting, and I was never so glad to get up and go.

“Senor Cole.” Miguel's voice stopped me dead in my tracks. “Look.”

He never took his eyes off me as he jerked her into his arms, flipped up her skirt, and showed me the mess of ruined skin going up her thigh. He'd either burned it or chewed it up – I wasn't sure which – and then laughed when I spun and crashed through the big double doors.