Sofia, p.11
Sofia, page 11
There were only two people in the room who seemed repulsed by this. Me, being forced to watch and the one being assaulted.
Ten minutes.
It was the longest fragment of my life that seemed to have no end. For ten minutes, I listened with a breaking heart to the girl’s screams and cries of pain. Whenever I closed my eyes wanting nothing more than to block out the graphic imagery, Hector would pull my hair so hard I would cry.
For ten minutes, I watched as four men took turns in assaulting her. She clawed desperately at the couch, her pleading red eyes meeting mine on occasion not daring to look anywhere else. Her mascara now stained her silky cheeks and lipstick smeared across her mouth.
For ten minutes, they were not gentle. Every painful thrust encouraged another scream. Every pull of her hair bringing on a fresh wave of tears.
For ten minutes, the men swapped places, each treating her as if she were just some hooker to them and not the impressionable young woman who wanted desperately to help her family. They were brutal. Tearing at her bra, yanked her semi-upright by the hair so they could crush her breasts leaving behind violent red bruises.
Before the ten minutes was over, she had lost all will to fight them off. The girl hung limp over the chair and no longer screamed as they drove into her. Her tears were silent and with each one she shed, I shed the same for her.
***
The sadistic show ended in a roar of appreciation from the guests. I watched, helpless as the broken girl collapsed to the ground behind the lounge and out of sight. No man gallantly helped her to her feet, no woman knelt down to console her. Instead they all went about their conversations as if it had never taken place.
The whole thing was appalling.
“Get up,” Hector grunted into my ear. Squeezing my forearm, he pulled me from the chair and casually walked me through the crowd, back through the dressing room, down the passage and into his office.
My heart was racing at full gallop, my legs weakened from fear. No one had preceded us, no one had followed. It was me and Satan himself as he locked the passage door behind us.
With one hand at the back of my neck, another still gripping my arm, he steered me to his desk. Kicking out his large chair, he turned me around and cupped my cheeks. It wasn’t a tender gesture. His fingertips dug into my skin as he studied me. A tremor rattled through me as a snarl twisted his face. “You have me questioning myself whether I should change my mind about keeping you,” he said as if I were some animal he was selling. “I know I could fetch a high price for your sale, but I have needs too. I don’t like a woman to be free and easy. I love a fight. I love the tears.”
With a hand on the back of my head, Hector forced me forward until our mouths connected, his lips possessing mine like he truly did own me. An agonizing pain shot through me as his teeth bit down on my bottom lip, an instant taste of blood filling my mouth. I beat against his chest with my fists needing desperately to be free of him, but he only responding by biting harder. Squealing into his mouth, I sobbed until finally the pressure was released and he moved away from me. He had split the skin, a thin transparent coating of my blood covering his own lips.
I looked at him in horror and he responded with a wicked gleam. Remaining silent, Hector turned me roughly until my back was to him. His arm snaked around my neck, his hand cupping my left cheek. Pulling me tighter against his chest I could feel his erection. Lowering his slightly stubbled cheek to mine, his lips trailed a path down my neck. Squeezing my eyes closed, I held my breath dreaming of a place far away. The trouble was, whenever I closed my eyes all I ever saw were the faces of my lost loved ones.
With a firm hand in the middle of my back, Hector pushed me down until I was bent over the desk. As paperwork and pens fell to the floor, I used my arms to protect my face from the force. Reality had come knocking, the fear paralyzing me. I was trapped, left vulnerable to a man who was going to take pleasure in once again assaulting me. Releasing a groan of pleasure, his hands wrapped around my waist, crudely pressing his erection against me. A single tear fell down my cheek, my mind in a complete state of shock. Ignoring Hector’s roaming touch, I focused on the tear rolling off my chin landing in a tiny splatter on the mahogany desk.
With a violent pull, Hector pulled my lace panties down to my knees. Although I wanted to scream and beg for a savior, I knew Hector didn’t give a damn. He delighted in my struggles. It spurred him on. He would want to make me suffer.
Instead, as he forced himself inside me, my single tear turned into a steady stream. With every thrust, my breath caught in my throat, my silent whimpers only for me. Yanking my bra straps down, my breasts fell from the cups grazing the surface of the table. Behind, Hector fisted my long loose hair as he barreled into me, his groans of pleasure becoming louder with each movement. Wincing in pain, I gripped the edge of the desk, knuckles turning white as my nails dug painfully into the wood.
The main door rattled drawing my attention to the front of the room before it swung open to reveal a man I hadn’t seen before. He was young, strong in stature with wide shoulders. He came to a stop a few steps in, his handsome face unsure of what to make of the situation.
Hector seemed non-plussed by the intrusion. Instead, with his fingers digging into my waist, he drove himself slow and deep inside me, encouraging a desperate cry from me.
“Aiden,” he announced, joyfully. Yanking my hair, he pulled me upright until my back arched in the middle, my face meeting that of the man who didn’t appear too caught up in wanting to help me. “Welcome home, miho.”
My cheeks flushed as Hector’s son gave me the once over. He took in my vulnerable state and my reddened face with a curious expression. Aiden didn’t look anything like Hector and he certainly didn’t share any physical similarities to his brother Juan. He also didn’t appear sympathetic to my demise. Yet there was no congratulatory nod of approval. There was only…confusion.
“I can see you’re busy.” Aiden cleared his throat, becoming uncomfortable with his father’s compromising position. “I’ll come back later.”
I could feel Hector’s length pulsating in me. He was clearly turned on by my discomfort and the exhibitionism.
“Ensure you do. We have a lot to talk about, son.”
With a slight nod, Aiden cast one last look at me before taking a few steps back and closing the door.
Behind, Hector chuckled, his delight obvious.
“Do you like what you see, girl? You’re in a household of virile men. No one will save you and no one else but me will touch you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Clutching my stomach, I sobbed into the blanket on my bed. After Aiden had left, Hector took it upon himself to demonstrate his control. He took me hard, he was ruthless, punishing, the pain still radiating through my core. My weakness was fuel to his fire.
Now in my room, on my knees, the tears flowed steadily. I needed to shower. I needed to wash his touch off me. Yet I couldn’t move.
I could still hear his laugh. His mocking taunts echoing in my head. I could still feel his fingers digging into my waist. Every thrust designed to further break me. And he had. Hector had succeeded.
And now there was another addition to this vile family. Another face I would have to tolerate. Another man who would never rise to be my savior. I didn’t know if he was anything like Juan. He didn’t step in to help me. He didn’t even seem disturbed by what he saw.
When my tears ran dry, I steadied my breaths to calm the trembling, using the edge of the bed cover to wipe my sodden face. Placing both palms on the carpet, I attempted to stand, the pain becoming all too unbearable. It felt like Hector had taken a knife to my insides. Crawling on all fours, the carpet soon came to an end replaced by the cold tiles. The shower floor was wet from a few hours ago as I sat with my back against the wall. I was still dressed in the lingerie, but I hadn’t the energy to take it off. Instead, I turned the shower lever and allowed the warm water to cleanse my broken body.
***
It was late that night when my door opened and Carlos came in to collect me. I was shivering under the protection of the bed cover, not from cold, but of exhaustion, lack of food and suffering. He eyed me like he knew everything that had transpired throughout and after the party. He gloated. Making a show that he was aware of the abuse.
“Get up!” he ordered.
“Why?”
“You’re in no position to ask questions, puta. Get the fuck up when you’re told!”
I knew I was in no position to ask. I also knew that Carlos was just as violent as the other men in the house and the last thing I needed was to have him lay it out to me. I simply wouldn’t survive it.
Flipping the blanket off my body, I could feel his eyes watching my every movement, but I no longer cared. I was dressed in a silk mid-thigh length nightie that was hardly revealing but to a man, still provocative. It was the most conservative piece available.
Before I’d even put two feet on the floor, Carlos had me by the upper arm and out the door. He remained silent the whole way to which I was grateful, and to which I found rather uncharacteristic of him. He would normally be the first harassing me. He steered me through the house and out to the pool area where I’d first met Hector.
The whole space was so intimately lit up, it was nothing short of magnificent. Specially placed lights beneath the foliage of plants cast spectacular shadows on the high walls that surrounded the mansion. The moon above was barely out, but fire pits added warmth and comfort to the place that was otherwise hell.
Carlos released my arm and I watched as he went back the way we came leaving me standing all alone. I didn’t understand. Was it a test to see if I ran? Why was no one with me?
A sudden gush of water drew my attention back to the pool, my heart in my throat. I hadn’t seen anyone else out here but now before me, with both hands planted firmly on the marble pavers drawing his wet self out of the pool was Aiden, the man I’d seen earlier. He stood only a few yards away from me, rivers of water trailing down his body to form a puddle at his feet. He looked at me with the same curiosity he had when Hector had me bent over the desk and I could feel my cheeks flush with a heavy burn. Aiden was a gorgeous man. Dark blonde hair, chiseled features, wide shoulders, and sculptured body. He was also naked.
Diverting my eyes, I looked around at anything else but him.
“Would you mind?” his gravelly voice asked and I looked at him stunned. It took me a few seconds to understand his request. A flicker of humor appeared in his eyes when he indicated to the sun lounge next to me that had a plush white towel folded on the end.
Picking it up, I held it out to his waiting hand. He had taken a few steps toward me in that time which instinctively made me take a step back. The glimmer of humor he once had died and was again replaced by an edge of curiosity.
“Thank you,” he said, taking the towel from me. I watched, keeping my eyes at a safe spot as he unfolded the fabric and dried his face before wrapping it around his waist.
With a subtle sigh of relief, I finally found my words. “I’m sorry.”
“For?” he asked pushing his wet hair back.
“Intruding,” my voice was small. I didn’t know why I was placed here to begin with.
“You shouldn’t be the one apologizing. It was me who intruded on you and…Hector, earlier.”
It felt like a punch in the gut. My already heated cheeks reached a whole new temperature that made me lightheaded. He said it with such ease like it wasn’t something that was completely degrading and soul-destroying for me.
“I didn’t realize my father had taken a new love interest,” he exclaimed and suddenly that punch in the gut turned to a slap in the face.
“I am not his—” I stammered, before a jovial voice from behind interrupted.
“I see you two have already met!” Hector announced. I was frozen in place, too scared to turn and face the monster.
“Ah, no,” Aiden began. “We hadn’t got to that part yet.”
Hector’s hand snaked underneath my loose hair to circle my neck. “Well then, I’m glad you’re here because we have a lot to talk about.”
“We do, but can it wait till morning?” Aiden asked clearly in the dark about almost everything that was transpiring.
“Son, I haven’t seen you in over four years. Sit down.”
Without hesitation, Aiden took a seat on the sun lounge. Hector sat on the one closest to us, leaving me standing between the two.
“I hear your last mission didn’t go so well for you.”
Aiden sighed heavily before raking a hand through his hair. “No, not as well as we’d have liked. Some casualties that were a little too close to home.” I noted a strong sense of sadness in his eyes. Without elaborating on the events, he continued, “So what’s up?”
“Sofia,” Hector announced startling me. “My son has had a rough run as a Marine and I’m sure you can see to giving him some attention.”
Without moving my head, my gaze flicked to Aiden, whose brows were slightly furrowed in confusion. I didn’t know what Hector was implying or what he expected me to do. My heart was thudding so hard in my chest, I was sure they could see my breast moving.
“I’m fine,” Aiden asserted which now left me caught between a man who would hurt me if I didn’t do something and a man who didn’t want me near him.
“Please, my gift to you,” Hector insisted. “Go girl, give the man a massage so he relaxes a bit.”
There was something odd about his tone. His delight in having his son home after so long was obvious, but it felt tainted with something else. A dare, maybe. A challenge that I wasn’t sure what the right outcome should be.
“Really, I’m okay!” Aiden’s voice had now taken on an edge itself.
“I’m not taking no for an answer,” Hector turned his focus back to me, a penetrating gaze that served as a warning. “Go!”
Taking the few steps behind Aiden, I heard him sigh, clearly unimpressed with his father’s insistence. My hands fell tentatively to his shoulders which practically dwarfed my small hands. He was so muscled I doubted the poor strength I had would make any difference to him. Hector watched me with narrowed eyes, his pursed lips forming a tight self-righteous smile.
I proceeded to massage, my touch light and non-invasive to the man who didn’t want me near him. Juan made his exit to the pool area, his dress shoes clicking on the marble tiles.
“Well, well, my brother, I see you have found our latest talent.” There was a daring edge to his voice, an annoyance that he was too afraid to touch me for fear of his father, yet here I was with my hands on Aiden. My back straightened as I took in his smirk, my stomach somersaulting.
“Talent?” Aiden responded in confusion. He had assumed I was Hector’s love interest.
“Sofia,” Hector exclaimed, his eyes alight with the earlier joy, “is our newest acquisition. Her role is to manage the girls and prep them for sale.”
“I’m afraid I’m not following.”
“We don’t just trade in drugs anymore, brother,” Juan replied, folding his arms snugly across his chest. “We also sell women.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“What the fuck are you talking about?” There was a silence that followed after Juan’s big reveal and Aiden’s hand had reached up to roughly pull mine away from his shoulders.
Juan gestured with his eyebrows to me. “Sofia was caught in a compromising position with a few others.”
I swallowed the hard lump in my throat, not ready to deal with the retelling of the reason I was brought here.
“Her sister, lover, and a friend were caught trying to double cross us with a deal. Emilio wound up dead and our mint was almost stolen by the Las Santos cartel. The others are dead, but Sofia seemed like a promising attribute to our latest venture, that I spared her life.”
“You’re fucking selling women?”
“Yes, son!” Hector took on a more diplomatic approach. “They come here of their own free will looking for a more…beneficial lifestyle, and are happy to do what is needed.”
He dutifully left out the part about how a girl was raped by three men.
Aiden rose to his feet and proceeded to pace back and forth, one hand clutching his towel together.
“I’m not cool with this,” he announced, his disapproval obvious.
“You don’t need to be cool with anything, puto, cos it’s already happening.” Juan seemed more like his father and quick to temper. “Everyone is this house has their fucking roles in the way shit goes down and that includes you!”
“Yeah? And what might that be?”
“You protect the buyers and keep the perimeters safe. You have the training now. Put it to good use. After the incident that brought this bitch here,” he pointed to me, “it’s obvious we’ve got some jealous competition coming our way.”
“You sent me to the Marines to come back and fucking protect human traders?”
“I told you, son,” Hector cajoled, “they all come here of their own accord.”
“She didn’t.” Aiden pointed to me. “I thought she was your new interest when I caught you fucking her.”
To that, Hector laughed like it was the most absurd idea yet. “She’s not my fucking love interest. She’s my piece of retribution.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Come here,” Hector demanded in a voice that sent my heart galloping. Taking slow steps around Aiden I stood at arm’s length. A glimmer of light flicked in my peripheral. Without turning my head, I saw the cause of it. Xavier’s ring. Then I saw the smile.
Juan knew I was looking.
He knew I still felt the pain.
He also knew that his attempt of reminding me of the past was working.
In front of me were two men I wanted to kill. I had dreamt of taking each of their lives since being held captive. It usually followed the visions of my sister being shot six times. They planned to keep me here for as long as I was alive. But the way I saw it when and if the opportunity arose, I would do all I could to see them suffer the same fate as Sofia and Xavier.
