My palms are sticky from sweat and my heart beats out of my chest as I watch Skull talking to Beast. He’s trying his best to get his brother to talk, but Beast only turns away and ignores him. I see the pain in Skull’s eyes. I want to take it away. I’m mad at Beast for hurting him, but then remember that in just a few short hours I will be hurting him worse. Guilt churns in my stomach.

Skull finally gives up and moves to the window where I stand. It’s a cloudy, rainy day and the drizzle of the water hits the windowpane. It matches my mood. He gathers me up in his arms and pulls me close. I can’t resist touching the side of his face, wishing I could take away all his troubles.

“He’ll be okay, Skull. He just needs to heal.”

“I don’t know, querida. The doctors say there’s no reason he shouldn’t at least be talking to us.”

“Some wounds run so deep, it’s hard to claw your way out. He’ll talk when he’s ready.”

“How did you get so smart?”

I drink in his face. His eyes shine with love, his lips curving into a smile with the tiny laugh lines crinkling at the corners of his eyes. I love the way his dark hair falls in a beautiful mess that I can’t resist touching. I commit all of it to memory, every bit of it.

“I met a man and fell in love.”

“Mi cielo, you cannot be sweet now. I have to go oversee some shit so we can get this dark cloud off of us. We don’t have time for me to fuck you. Besides, after last night, I think you broke my dick.”

I smile despite my mood. I boldly rub my hand over his pants, finding his cock. He lied; he’s semi-hard. I rub it, putting enough pressure so he can feel it through his jeans.

“He doesn’t feel broke.”

Skull groans, pulling my hand away.

“Enough, mujer. You wrung me dry last night. I don’t even know how you’re walking this morning.”

I bite my lip as I remember the night we had. He’s not wrong; every time I take a step, I feel the soreness in my stomach. There’s bruises all over my body from his rough lovemaking and I relish every one of them. My body is tired and definitely well-used, but if he pulled me into the adjoining restroom right now, I’d gladly make love to him again. The thought of never again being able to get that close to him, to feel the heat of his body when he is holding me, to just be with him… is killing me.

“I can’t help it. I want you again.”

He kisses the back of my hand, but pulls away from me, not giving in. “I always want you, mi cielo, but I have to get to work. I will punish you later for torturing me.”

I do my best to hide the pain that slashes through me at his words, because I know there won’t be a later.

“Stay safe today, please?” I ask him.

“I will. I made Pistol and Latch promise to bring you home in an hour, querida. Do not argue with me. I don’t even like you being here. I still don’t know why I caved.”

“Because you knew it would make me happy…?”

“I think it had more to do with your mouth on my cock, but your version makes me sound like a better man, so we will go with it. Promise me to keep Pistol and Latch with you, alright?”

“I promise.”

“Give me your lips and let me get out of here before I weaken and give you my dick.”

I kiss him, and maybe he can tell by the way I wrap my arms around him tight and drag his lips down to mine. I’m not sure, but our kiss is more urgent, rougher, definitely more demanding than any we’ve shared in a long time. My tongue sweeps into his mouth, searching and finding every hidden spot that I can, dueling with his and coming out victorious. I drink in his taste, hoping I will still taste him on my tongue in the months and years to follow. Maybe I will get lucky and it won’t be that long.

The truth is, I don’t trust my father. There’s a reason I’ve taken to calling him the Devil. He’s pure evil. I don’t know the real reason he’s demanding this of me, but I figure he may kill me. If not on purpose, then he will when I grab Katie and break free, because I won’t rest until my sister and I are free from that monster. I hope somehow I can get Katie from him and manage to kill him. I could die happily if I achieve that.

“Wow! That was a kiss, mi cielo! You are feeling needy today, aren’t you?”

“I am always needy around you, Skull. You better get going before you’re late,” I tell him regretfully. I just caught a glance at the clock on the wall. I have twenty minutes to get down to my father. I don’t want to risk being late; I don’t know how he’ll lash out at me.

“Si,” he says, kissing my forehead. “Pistol, Latch… you two, do not let her out of your sight. Keep her safe.”

“Will do,” Pistol says, and I wish I could kick him in the balls and stomp on him. I need to find a way to warn Skull further about Pistol. I just don’t know how without risking my sister’s life… or Skull’s.

Skull leaves, and we are all sitting around Beast’s bed. Pistol gives me the signal with his hand. I take a breath. Time to get started, I guess.

“Would one of you mind taking me to the cafeteria? I’m starved. I was running late this morning and didn’t get any breakfast.”

“I can—”

“Nah,” interrupts Pistol. “Latch, you stay here with Beast. I need to stretch my legs, anyways. I had to ride a freaking cage over here.”

“Only if you’re sure,” says Latch.

I try to smile reassuringly when he looks at me. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be back soon,” I tell him, and that’s just the first of many lies I’ll be telling today.