Free Little Doll by Melissa Jane Page A

twice and stood to the side. The double doors opened and the brutes from the night before made an appearance, sauntering into the room. As they approached, I got to see what they really looked like for the first time.
    Both were large with shoulders to rival a quarterback. The most intimidating one wore a permanent snarl and sported a smooth shaved head and tattoos that travelled up his neck and onto his left cheek. His hands and fingers were also covered in intricate patterns and there were individual letters across his knuckles, but I couldn’t quite see what they read. No doubt that under his suit he was mapped with more ink.
    The other brute , who had thick black hair gelled back to a small pony tail, appeared less interested in the goings-on and merely followed behind his colleague.
    “Well, well, well, puta, they will have fun with you tonight,” the meanest brute smiled with undue enthusiasm.
    His menacing snarl quickly returned as he latched his hand onto my upper arm, his pudgy , tattooed fingers digging painfully into my skin. Sophia mouthed off a string of words in Spanish at my inked aggressor as he carelessly yanked me to the door. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but it seemed her words were angry.
    The thug was quick to reply in equal tones and I noted an icy look pass between them.
    We took the same route through the hall and down the marble stairs to the lounge room. The man on my right knocked twice on the double doors just as he had the night before. After a few moments, the tattooed brute opened the doors to reveal Hector, Juan and Aiden waiting expectantly around the sofa.
    I failed miserably trying to cover my shaky breath. Both the brutes heard and tightened their grip on my arms before pulling me inside the room.
    T hree critical faces looked at me with apparent approval, their wicked gazes lingering too long for comfort. Resentful of their intimidation act, I stole a guarded glance at Juan whose primal, almost carnivorous expression sent arctic chills down my spine.
    In contrast , Aiden’s expression remained somewhat reserved. However, his eyes told a different story. For a moment, his gaze met mine and I was sure I could see something similar to regret and lust mixed together as a raw combination.
    All three men were elegantly dressed in stylish designer suits, which only made me feel even more naked and exposed. I couldn’t help but think it was a shame that such beautiful looking men were the assholes operating a drug and human trafficking cartel and not the kind of men you could meet on a night out.
    Hector’s crisp white shirt had the three top buttons undone, revealing a handful of chest hairs. Around his neck hung a rather ostentatious gold link chain with a diamond pendant the size of a quarter, a piece clearly demonstrating the love affair between his apparent wealth and insufferable ego.
    Just as he had the previous night, Hector taunted me with his menacing and lecherous appraisal, but this time he didn’t hesitate to touch. The brutes either side of me maintained their stronghold, making it impossible for me to resist.
    Hector ’s right hand cupped my chin, lifting my despondent gaze to his eyes. He studied me as if trying to see deep within my soul. His thumb grazed my cheek, wiping at a stray tear that had fallen more out of anger than fear.
    “Calm yourself , chica. You don’t want another lesson in manners do you?” he said, his salacious grin turning serious.
    I j erked my chin out of his hand and hardened my stare. Just who the hell was he to say I needed to be taught manners?
    He raised a quizzing eyebrow, seemingly curious at my unreceptive response. Then he did the one thing I wasn’t expecting. The motherfucker laughed and indicated to my guards to release their hold.
    He turned his back to me and continued laughing jovially to Juan who replied with a condescending smirk directed at me.
    The movements Hector made when he turned back suddenly were stealthy,