No One There (A Sofia Blake FBI Suspense Thriller—Book One) by Ava Strong

Author:Ava Strong [Strong, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2023-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Santo's hands closed around the woman's wrists, forcing them together behind her back. He twisted the rough rope around her delicate skin, feeling a surge of triumph as he tightened the knot.

She squirmed beneath him, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps as she tried to wriggle free. But Santo held her firmly in place, his knee digging into her spine and pinning her down like a butterfly to a display board.

"Stop struggling," he growled, a sinister smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You're only making this harder on yourself."

The basement of the butcher's shop was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of blood and raw meat. Hooks dangled from the ceiling, their metal surfaces slick and gleaming in the dull light. The floor beneath them was cold and unforgiving, stained with dark patches that bore testament to the grisly work performed within these walls.

Outside, the night was alive with the sounds of Día de los Muertos. The rhythmic beat of drums mingled with laughter and singing, punctuated by the occasional burst of fireworks. The narrow window set high along the wall offered Santo a glimpse of the celebrations unfolding just beyond his reach. Colorful skirts swirled past, accompanied by the tapping of heels and the rustle of silk. Human legs danced and moved in the shadows, oblivious to the darkness that lurked just beneath them.

"Pathetic, isn't it?" Santo mused, his eyes fixed on the small square of life visible through the glass. "All those people out there, celebrating death without any idea of what it really means."

They had even been warned about him. Santo had heard the warning himself from a vendor: apparently there was a "dangerous killer" out "stalking the streets." And yet, nobody seemed to care. It was as if nobody thought they could be the next person he targeted.

Santo turned his attention back to the woman beneath him, watching as she fought to keep her composure. There would be time enough to break her spirit later; for now, he had other plans.

He was expecting her to break into tears or plead for mercy. But to his surprise, she did nothing of the sort. Her chest heaved with each breath, but her eyes burned with defiance. She was a fighter, and it sent a shiver of excitement down his spine.

Breaking strong spirits was always more satisfying.

"Tell me," the woman said, her voice strained but steady. "What do you plan to do with me?"

Santo couldn't help but grin at her audacity. He leaned in close, his breath hot against her cheek. "You'll learn soon enough, my dear."

She turned her head away from him, disgust etched across her features. "Pathetic," she said. "You amuse yourself with others' pain because you don't know how to love or be loved. You would rather hurt than risk being hurt. I despise people like you."

His face darkened, anger flaring within him. How dare she speak to him this way? Did she not know who he was? What he was capable of?

"Your disdain means nothing to me," Santo growled.

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