Page 6 of Stains of Desire

I run a bath for Millie to clean her up. She's so tired and weak, and I'm afraid she might be getting dehydrated. I turn on the water, cup my hands, and help her drink as much as she can.

She consumes several handfuls, and I kiss her head, then smile. "Good girl."

"Mummy, I'm hungry," she whimpers, and her green eyes fill with tears again.

"I know, sweetheart. Have some more water."

After she drinks, I put her in the bath. She's still weak and tired, so I don't keep her in it a long time. At some point while I'm bathing her, someone brings food into the room.

I keep her wrapped in the towel and feed her the pieces of bread and banana. There is a cup with juice, and I give that to her as well. She sits in my lap, exhausted, but eats every bite I feed her.

My stomach growls, but I ignore it, giving her every morsel of the two items.

When she finishes, I wipe her mouth and put her in the pajamas I found. I tuck her in bed and sing the lullaby she loves the most.

Halfway through the song, Millie's eyes shut, and her breathing becomes a soft pattern. She clings to me, and I scoot down farther under the covers with her. Not more than five minutes pass before the door flies open.

"You have twenty minutes to get ready for dinner," a man I've never seen barks. He's half bald with long dark hair in the back, but like Santiago, it's neatly groomed into a ponytail, and his skin above it is shiny. He's close to my height but with a larger frame, and the scent of musk fills the air. He has tattoos on his neck and arms, and his nose is crooked, almost as if broken several times.

Millie stirs and cuddles into me closer.

"Shh. You'll wake her up," I whisper in a reprimand, but my voice is shaky.

He steps closer and holds out a razor. "No hair. If Santiago sees any hair on you where it shouldn't be, she gets taken away, understand?"

Any blood in my face drains.

What is he going to do to me that I have to shave?

"Do you want your daughter with you or no?" he scowls.

"With me," I blurt out.

"Twenty minutes. Santiago will make an exception for your hair tonight. You will shampoo it tomorrow, but make sure you're presentable. Pick a cocktail dress."

"I-I can't leave my daughter all night."

He points to the ceiling. "She will sleep. If she wakes, we will know."

They are watching me.

Of course they are. What did I expect?

The man leans closer to me and grabs my chin roughly, tilting my head up. "Don't disobey. Santiago doesn't give second chances." His eyes drift over Millie then back to mine. "Understand?"

"Yes."

"Twenty minutes starts now." He releases me, tosses the razor on the bed, and leaves. The lock on the door clicks, echoing in the air.

My insides quiver, and I stare at Millie. Her red hair shines in the dimly lit room, and her chest rises and falls with sleep.

I don't have a choice. Get ready so they don't take her.

I slide out of bed, shower, shave all my private parts, and utilize the top-end makeup on the vanity. When I finish, I choose a black cocktail dress and matching shoes.

I sit on the edge of the bed, wanting to touch Millie but scared I'll wake her. My chest is tight with anxiety. I fear I'll never see her again, and I wipe at my face numerous times, trying to keep my makeup in good shape.

When the door opens, the same man appears. "You will return the razor to me each day. Go get it."