Page 80 of Rum & Coke

“Just kill her and get it over with,” Tony suggested.

“No!” I shouted. “Please, I have a son.”

Sebastian stopped in front of me. “How did I not know you have a son?”

“Because I go to work, dance, and leave. I don’t gossip, and I keep to myself. Melony only knows I have a son because …” I stopped myself from reminding him she was my neighbor because I feared he would still do something to her.

“Because why?” he asked.

“Because she’s my best friend.”

“She’s the one who got you the job at Red Diamond, right?” Sebastian questioned.

I nodded.

He bobbed his head. “That’s right. Makes sense that the two girls who don’t do extras are best friends.”

“Please, just let me go. I swear I’ll never tell anyone.”

“I can’t do that,” Sebastian affirmed. “I’m not a stupid man, Tessa.”

I sniffed, my tears still streaming down my face. Iwasfucking stupid. Why had I gone into an area alone in a drug dealer’s house? I’d seen enough TV to tell me that was senseless, and yet I fucking did it. All because I wanted to see a bathroom? God, I was an idiot.

“You know what women are for,” Tony cut in. “Use that to your advantage.”

I looked up at him, confused by what he meant.

“Yeah, keep her up here and fuck her,” Xavier chimed in. “I bet her pussy just might send you to heaven.”

“No, please!” I shouted and tried to struggle against Tony’s hold on me. He held my shoulder tighter, and then placed a hand on the other, forcing me down harder.

“Will everyone shut the fuck up so I can think?” Sebastian bellowed.

“I’ll take her,” Tony stated. “I have an entire warehouse of whores ready for Mexico.”

Sebastian stepped forward, getting in Tony’s face, finger pointed at him. “You arenottaking her. She’s mine. Do you fucking understand?”

“Fine, but you have a house full of people, and now two bodies on your hands—one of them dead, so you better figure your shit out before someone else walks in here.”

“Please,” I begged again, this time as a whisper. “My son’s autistic and he needs me.”

Mateo walked back into the room.

“The girl leave?” Sebastian asked.

Mateo nodded. “Took some coercing, but yes. Told the driver to take the long way home, too.”

“Good. See, Tessa,” Sebastian cupped my cheek, “Mel’s fine.”

“But I’m not,” I whispered.

“You’ll be fine, Tessa Baby.”

“Will I?”

Sebastian smiled tightly. “I hope so.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Please, just let me go.”