Page 36 of Paco
Chapter Ten
Lucy’s room hadtwo double beds, blue iridescent beads hanging down over the large window. Posters of fashion models, baby animals, and Harleys adorned the walls.
“What size are you?” Lucy asked as she stood in front of the closet, pushing the hangers across the clothes rod.
“A six or eight.” Misty pressed her folded arms closer to her chest.
“So how long have you known Paco?” Lucy threw a few tops and some jeans on the bed.
“Not very long. He’s just helping me out.”
“With what?”
“Just some stuff.”
“Where’d you meet?” She turned around and fixed her gaze on Misty.
“In Moab. Do you want me to try these on?”
“Just hold ’em up in front of you. I never saw Paco bring a woman to the club before. You must be a real good friend.”
“I guess.” She picked up a multicolored sweater in varying shades of purple and held it in front of her. “This’ll probably fit okay. I’m not as busty as you are, but it should be good.”
Lucy cocked her head to the side. “Paco loves my tits.”
Her gut twisted. “Is he your boyfriend?”
“We have a special bond. Always have since I first got here.”
Picking up a black pair of leggings and two more tops, Misty stepped toward the door.
“Wait. Paco wanted me to give you a jacket. I can’t believe you don’t have one. Were you running away from someone?” Lucy handed her a black winter jacket with brown faux fur cuffs and hood.
“Thanks. I’ll return all these as soon as I can.” Without waiting for a response, she slipped out the door and headed upstairs to Paco’s room.
When she walked in, Paco wasn’t there and emptiness filled her. After hearing Lucy talk about him, it made her feel even more like an intruder in his life.I have to figure out what I’m going to do.When Paco had asked her if she’d been forced into the life she had, she’d been tempted to tell him everything, but years of beatings, betrayals, and despair made even a sweet old lady who sang in the church choir suspect. It’d been so long since she’d trusted anyone, and when she had, she’d been dragged into a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. Even though Paco had been kind and caring so far, she didn’t know if he’d turn on her and tell Bobby where she was—or even worse, Victor. She couldn’t take the chance.
Misty locked the door, then grabbed the plastic bag she’d brought. She emptied it out on the bed, and among her toiletries and underwear, thousands of dollars in large bills spread out over the blanket. By now, Bobby would have known she escaped and took his money.If he ever catches me, he’ll torture me before he kills me.She picked up several of the bills and wadded them up in her hand.What am I going to do? Where am I going to go? What about Mom and Kate?She hadn’t called her mom and sister yet for fear that she’d cause more trouble for them if they knew she was still alive. If she didn’t have contact with them, Bobby couldn’t beat anything out of them.But what if he kills them anyway just to spite me? He always told me he’d kill them. That’s how he kept me.
“What the fuck am I going to do?” she whispered under her breath. She could call the cops, but they’d help her for a while and then move on. That’s when Bobby, and especially Victor, would strike. Victor wouldn’t be too happy that he paid for nothing. He’d make it a point to find her.He’s a cold, cruel bastard.
Maybe if I dye my hair and go to Europe. He’d never find me there.But she’d have to get a passport, and that was too risky. Her name was probably in every database in the criminal system. Anyway, she didn’t even have any form of ID; it’d been taken away from her years before.
But I should warn Mom that she and Kate are in danger. Even Peter is in danger.She grimaced when she thought of her stepfather. They hadn’t gotten along very well, especially when she got older and started dating Tyler Tarleton.
Stop! Don’t think about any of that now. You have todosomething. Think.
Adrenaline rushed through her veins when she heard Paco’s and another man’s voices outside the door. Scooping up the money, she stuffed it in the bag, then threw her personal stuff on top and shoved it under the bed right when the door opened. She perched on the edge of the bed, inhaling deeply to calm her racing heart.
“Did it work out with Lucy?” he asked.
Brushing away the stray hairs on her face, she looked up and nodded.
“Good. We can go shopping either tomorrow or the day after. It depends on what I have to do.” He picked up the remote and turned on the television, keeping the sound muted.
She stared at him, but he didn’t look her way.I wonder if he only sees me as a pathetic woman in need of help.
“If you have a bit of time, I’d like to pick up some personal things. I left in a hurry and didn’t take everything I needed.”
