Chapter 8 Is There Something You Missed?

• The minutes just went on and on, an anxiety attack pounding against my chest, my heart trying to get out, my fingernails between my teeth and my leg twitching repeatedly without letting me even think.
• I paced the room trying to get out, but remembering Pipe's words, I knew there was no way to escape.
• I had no choice but to take the shower they had offered me, maybe if I did exactly what they wanted I would get home faster and this would just be a silly story to tell.
• A story I would carelessly sell to any media that knew how to appreciate me.
• What I was really worried about now was Hector's well-being and the simple fact that I didn't understand what I had done.
• Darren had been clear, there would be no one else involved, and I had wanted to keep my word, but now he had changed the plans, so much so that he had put me in danger and jeopardized the whole plan that I had been thinking about for weeks.
• As I stood there with the cold water running down my face and body, trying to stay calm and think, I felt terrified and trapped, not to mention those words from Pipe echoing over and over again.
• It just made me realize that I was in danger and that maybe I was taking Darren's word for too much.
• He was a murderer, a mobster and a criminal, I couldn't expect more from him and I was just a woman chasing a story, a gossip, a truth.
• My luck was running out.
• Surrendered, I had no choice but to get out of there, dry my body, look at my face in a wet mirror and sigh with fear.
• On one side of the large sink was a pair of black jeans in my size next to a gray sweatshirt two sizes too big.
• Once my body was dry, I had the courage to get dressed, took one look at myself in the mirror, and dreaded what was to come.
• Shoeless, distracted, and with my hair drying, I left that place, walking without looking to the side until I threw my body limply onto the thin sheets of that bed.
• "Was everything okay?" his voice said from a corner.
• I immediately jumped in shock, followed by a scream. "For God's sake!" I said, clutching my chest. "You're going to kill me with a heart attack!" I claimed. "What the hell are you doing in the dark? I could have come out naked! You have to stop this!" I shouted in fear and confusion.
• Once again he smiled sideways and watched me silently, took a cigarette and pointed to a small bedside table where a small notebook, a pencil and a tape recorder lay.
• "It's not your stuff, but I did what I could," he explained. "I told you we were coming, and this is what we're going to do," he said as he stood up and walked over and sat down next to me.
• His huge body next to mine made me shiver, he was strong, big, tattooed and with eyes that made you feel like the whole world would stop.
• And it was easy to think that if Darren had not chosen the life he did, he would be a great businessman or maybe a great model. He was gorgeous and there was no denying it.
• I stepped aside, trying to get away from his huge body that made mine feel smaller than I remembered.
• I got up to pick up those things and sat in a corner, silently studying every part of his face as he finished the cigarette.
• Scarred jaw, green eyes, short hair, a smile that broke out a few times and caught you off guard.
• "Is there something you missed?" he asked, turning to stare at me. His stare was even more intimidating.
• "No, no," I stammered hurriedly, trying to pretend that I hadn't watched in silence for more than a minute. "We can start, but first I have to ask," I whispered. "If I get out of here, what are you going to do with Hector? I'm sure he has an explanation, he wouldn't put me in danger, he wouldn't jeopardize all of this," I tried to explain. "And I always wanted to follow your orders," I finally confessed.
• He put out his cigarette quietly, sighed beside me, and watched as my left hand shook uncontrollably.
• He moved closer until he covered my hand with his own, sighing as close as he could until I could feel his breath on my skin. "Don't be afraid of me, Leia. I'm not going to hurt you, that was never part of the plan," he warned. "I'm a man of my word, Hector will be safe for now as long as he can explain to me that he didn't put you and me in danger," he whispered.
• "And if he is, will you kill him?" I asked fearfully, not even able to process it. "He's a man, he's a life. You can't take a life, you're not the one to decide who lives or dies, Darren," I demanded.
• He trailed off, scratching his neck and lowering his eyes. "Leia, the only way to survive in this world is to earn the respect or fear of others. This man has broken my rules, he has put me in danger, he has put you in danger. What do you think I should do?" he asked, laughing sarcastically. "Betrayal pays."
• "But... You promised to turn yourself in after the interrogation, you had a word, too," I stammered, trying to save what little life was left for Hector.
• He sighed. "On my terms, Leia. Not his or yours," he snorted. "I don't understand why you defend him so much, he didn't give you the place you deserved, he put you in danger.... All I see is a cowardly man, a man who doesn't deserve to live," he accused.
• "Because it's a life, Darren. And it shouldn't be up to you to decide whether it lives or not." I insisted again. "What if it had been me who had tried to turn you in? Would you be wondering right now or giving the order for my death?" I asked carelessly.
• "You would probably be dead by now, Leia," he sneered. "But I've had enough of your accusations. Let's get this over with before I regret ever having met you."
• And then I understood, I was really in danger, I had to stop believing that I was in control of this situation.
• Darren controlled everything, and just as he decided whether Hector lived or died, he could do the same with me.