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"How long have you been here?" I asked as he lay me across it, positioning my legs. "Seems like a long time."
"Long enough."
"I can see," I murmured, as I noted all the different stages of my life here in Vegas. There were also a surprising amount featuring Knight plus another man I didn't recognize. Then I remembered that Manuel was from Veracruz, from the land of old Abuelo enemies, and that this was just as much about Knight as it was about me. "Who's that other guy?"
He didn't answer me but the question was somewhat answered as I studied the images closer--the familiarity of his features made me think he was somehow related to Manuel.
The faint rumble of another crashing boom echoed through the room and my heart flip-flopped. He was now adjusting my arms, shifting my hips, scooting me backwards, making adjustments like a little doll, until I was exactly how he wanted me. And yet, all I could worry about was the people I loved.
Was Knight okay?
Was Honey still safe in the ventilation system?I hoped to God that she stayed there until it was safe again.
Manuel probed the skin around my tattoo, a smug look of satisfaction on his face. "It's turning out very nicely. I must admit, I'm very happy with the shading." My stomach rolled; I wanted to vomit at the feel of his fingers on my skin. "Well, I did practice on the other women. And practice makes perfect."
My eyes snapped to his face. "Other women?"
"Yes. After you left me. I did try to replace you, you know," he cocked his head to the side, studying me. Then he sighed. "But there was something missing--none of them could ever be quite the same as you. But that's not surprising though, is it? No one can replace my little bird, can they?"
When I didn't answer him, he pinched his lips together, pressing his fingers into the wound at my shoulder. "I expect you tobehave, Tatiana."
I cried out in pain, then, breathing heavily through it, I growled out. "You shouldn't have tried to replace me, at all. Those girls didn't deserve it."
″So you've made it now, have you? Think that no one can compare?″ His eyes ignited with anger. ″Such a far cry from that night I met you.″ He shook his head, his gaze stinging with derision. "So pathetic and poor. So starved for attention and affection." He gave a contemptuous chuckle. "And Knight, the way he looked at you. Even though he could've had any woman in the world, he wanted you.Tiny, insignificant you. And that's when I knew I had to have you."
"What? Why?"
"I just told you, Tatiana," he was playing with my hair now, moving it around my shoulders, then adjusting my dress. "He wanted you. And so,Ihad to have you."
"That doesn't even make sense."
"That's because you're not really listening." He stood, looming over me, his eyes going soft. "Did you know that I met Knight when I was only six?"
"Like I give a shit."
"You should." His footsteps were too quiet as he moved towards his desk. "I think you would come to sympathize with my purpose if you understood it."
My insides churned when he pulled out a feather, fear coursing through me. "No," I whispered.
He held it up to the light, inspecting it. "It's incredible, isn't it? How something so soft can cause so much pain." He held it towards me. "I know this particular one is your favorite. I saved it, just for our little reunion."
I wanted to sob as he walked towards me, my eyes glued to it. I shook my head. "No. Please. Don't." My heart pounded, sweat pouring down my face, and pooling under my arms and down my back.
"He was so arrogant, even at such a young age." He ignored my pleas, back to talking about Knight. "He watched us that night, and did nothing."
“When you first met me?”
“No,” he scoffed, “You’re not paying attention. The night I met Knight.”
I didn't understand him. “What happened?” I tried to change the subject, to distract him from the feather.
“We were near the sea, close to our old home in Cuba. You remember that house, don't you?”
“Yes.” My voice stuttered.
“Of course you do,” Sitting next to me, he brushed the back of his hand gently across my cheek. “We had some really great memories there, didn't we?” He pulled a small container from his pocket.
I didn't answer him; my chest moved up and down with each breath as panic filled me, my eyes fixated on the container.