“Do your thing querida.” El Patron said.
The term of endearment made Marisol cringe but she held out her hand anyway. El Patron placed the device in her outstretched palm with a smarmy grin. She hated how cocky the man was and debated refusing to perform but didn’t dare as she looked at the expectant and curious faces of the vile men in front of her. Marisol let a fraction of herself loose. The phone sparked, blue, yellow and white arcs dancing across her palm as the acrid smell of burning plastic filled the room. Wide eyes stared at her.
“Amazing” One of the men exclaimed. “What else can she do?”
“She’s good at making sure I don’t have any unwanted eyes on me.” El Patron replied looking proud. “I’ve found it handy to have her along for the meetings I had with La Famalia Michoacana.”
The men nodded.
“I have even heard from my men that she is capable of other things.” El Patron turned to Marisol. “You have other tricks. So show us now.”
The serious look he gave her hinted that he believed she’d been holding out on him and he wasn’t pleased. Marisol had played her trick one too many times and it had gotten back to the boss.
“Fool!” She admonished herself. Now she had no choice but to show them.
Marisol reached mentally out into the room. First one phone chirped then another till the entire room was filled with ringing and buzzing.
“Enough” El Patron commanded and it all stopped.
The gathered men clapped as if she were a show pony that had completed a complicated trick. El Patron gestured to one of his guards.
“Show my guests to the warehouse where the entertainment will continue. I will be there shortly.”
The group started to leave and Marisol moved to follow but El Patron halted her exit taking firm hold of Marisol’s hand.
“You did well.” He said with a lascivious smile as he reeled her in. “I think it is time you moved into nicer accommodations. The barracks are no place for a woman of your skills.”
El Patron gripped the back of her neck his hand tangling in her hair. His lips smashed into hers in a bruising rough kiss.
Marisol panicked as he shoved his other hand down the low cut back of her dress, clenching her bare bottom as he ground his hips against her stomach. She bit down on the tongue that forced its way into her mouth and shoved at El Patron’s chest.
There was popping and crackling all around as El Patron pulled away. He reached a hand up to his mouth and pulled it away noting with rapidly increasing rage that Marisol had drawn blood.
His hand struck out so fast Marisol couldn’t avoid the slap that knocked her to the floor.
El Patron looked at his large flat screen TV, as the entertainment unit sat smoking not far from them.
“You pinche puta!” He cursed her with venom in his eyes.
Marisol cried out in pain as he wrenched her injured arm yanking her up from the floor. She feared what he planned to do with her, nearly collapsing as he marched her out of the house.
Trip
Trip paced the exhibition cage. If it weren’t for the enclosed top and the fucking chain he would have leapt the chain link walls.
Several well dressed men entered the building. There weren’t as many as the other times. They smelled of cologne and it stung his nose.
Trip had difficulty focusing. How many days had he been here, he could no longer remember. He tried to recall what had gotten him trapped here in the first place but could only dredge up a brief image.
Trip growled and launched himself at the cage walls, rattling the structure as the men got too close.
A man entered dragging a woman behind him. She winced in pain as she shuddered in fear. He remembered that smell, it was the only pleasant thing he could recall for days. Those dark sad eyes held him captivated.
As the man holding her spoke, Trip felt an angry snarl rumble through his chest and refused to repress it. The man might be the alpha among the humans but his individual strength didn’t compare to Trip’s and the male reeked of corruption.
“For your entertainment this evening I have a special treat.”
The spurious alpha male spoke however Trip payed no attention to his words. He didn’t acknowledge the males self imposed authority, plus the female he shoved at another guard was far more intriguing.
“I have discovered a traitor among us and that will not be tolerated.” The boss turned as another struggling human male was led in.
The angry male was shoved into the cage with Trip, resisting the entire time. Trip bristled as his attention was torn from the fragrant though frightened beauty to the piece of shit enclosed with him. The male might be at the mercy of his former companions but he wasn’t innocent. Trip could tell by the look in his eyes and the scents that rolled off him.
“Since I’m a sporting man here you go.” The boss tossed a small knife into the cage and the corrupt captive grabbed it.
Even if the man managed to land a strike he had little chance against Trip with such a pathetically small weapon. It was clearly meant to tease the rogue.
Trip was hungry and cranky and in no mood to play their games. He prowled in a circle letting his tail swish in agitation. The foolish man lunged and Trip snarled.
“Dumb bastard!” Trip thought as he crouched then launched himself at the man
Marisol
Marisol cringed as the guard who’d apparently betrayed El Patron, swiped at the jaguar with the pocket knife. This wasn’t going to end well and she couldn’t watch.
The guard El Patron passed her to gripped her injured arm as she stared at the floor. Pain radiated through her, but Marisol had no illusions that there was undoubtedly more in store for her. Marisol glanced up at El Patron, he was livid. She could see it in the way the veins stood out from his neck.
She shook all over as the caged man screamed in pain. It was followed by a gurgling sound and all went quiet.
“Well that was disappointingly fast.” El Patron commented.
Marisol looked up to see the black feline release his teeth from around the traitorous man’s neck. Blood dripped from the beast’s massive canines as it snarled at the spectators.
Two guards pulled the jaguar’s chain yanking the hulking beat back far enough they could retrieve the body. They drug out the dead man leaving a bloody trail behind. As they guards were about to close the cage El Patron stepped forward.
“Hold on a moment.”
A maniacal expression twisted El Patron’s face as he gripped the back of Marisol’s neck and tugged her towards the cage.
Marisol cried out as she was pushed inside with the wild feline stumbling and nearly falling to the ground feet in front of the dangerous creature. She slunk back against the chain link wall as the cage door swung shut locking her in.
“The puta is more trouble than she’s worth! This will be the last time I have to replace my fucking TV!” El Patron said to the gathered men as he sat back down like he was about to watch a play.
Marisol gripped the cage keeping one eye on the jaguar and another on El Patron.
“Please” She begged him with wavering voice the plea sticking in her throat.
“You have made your choice. Now I give you to the jaguar. Maybe he will have better luck with you.” El Patron laughed cruelly at her.
The lights flickered as Marisol’s fear overwhelmed her. One bulb then another shattered. Undeterred the guards lit several torches casting light throughout the warehouse.
Marisol slowly turned back to the creature as dread took hold. The flickering fire cast shadows making the beast appear twice as large.
The massive creature sniffed the air coming towards her. She pressed her back into the cage as far as she could go, images of the beasts large teeth wrapped around her own neck taunting her.
Trip
Trip watched as the terrified female was shoved into the cage with him. His head popped up as he heard the corrupt male was giving him the woman. Of course the foolish ma
le assumed he would savage the delicate sweet smelling creature. It was one thing to kill a murdering son of a bitch, but an innocent female was a different story.
The lights failed in the shitty warehouse but the guards started several fires. It did not matter to him, he could see regardless. But what Trip saw disturbed him.
Trip wanted to approach the female but her eyes were wide with terror and tears streamed down her cheeks as she clutched the fence. Her breath came out in ragged pants, the pulse in her neck fluttering rapidly. Her scent clawed at him, making Trip desperate to ease her fear.
What could he do to show her he meant her no harm. She was so little and curvaceous. Trip felt drawn to her. But if he tried to get closer she’d probably die of fright.
Trip laid down and rolled onto his back. He stretched out long exposing his belly as he kneaded the air playfully with his paws, claws retracted. Trip looked at the female as his tail flicked towards her then away again, beckoning her to come close. He purred as he lolled on his back. Trip felt foolish but he just couldn’t help himself.
Besides fear, the female smelled of flowers and a distinct luscious feminine scent that was all her own. The delicious perfume beckoned. Trip wanted to rub his head against her to pick up more of that scent and mark her with his own.
The woman looked confused as he blinked at her while playfully rolling in the dirt.
Marisol
The large cat didn’t attack her, in fact it purred and blinked at her. He stayed on his back rolling back and forth like he wanted his belly to be scratched. The jaguar reminded her of the tabby cat she’d had as a child.
Marisol sunk down into the dirt exhausted, her adrenalin spent.
“If you don’t hurt me I won’t hurt you.” She hoped the jaguar understood her silent plea.
“Are you fucking kidding me!” El Patron yelled.
He stood up, marched over and pulled violently on the jaguar’s chain.
The wildcat was on his feet in an instant, snarling as he lunged at the chain link fence deflecting the cage and making it rattle. El Patron barely missed the swiping paw that snaked between two panels.
Marisol jumped but didn’t dare move a muscle otherwise. She stayed stock still as she warily watched the menacing beast rumble. Marisol noticed the collar tore at the jaguar’s raw neck. No wonder the creature became so enraged every time someone tugged the chain.
El Patron pulled a pistol out from the back of his pants and aimed it at the beast. If El Patron killed the jaguar it couldn’t harm her, but Marisol couldn’t bear the thought of another trapped creature meeting its demise at the hands of these awful men.
“Please No El Patron.” Marisol cried out. “It is injured. I am sorry you are angry but don’t kill him because you are mad at me.” Marisol begged as she inched towards the jaguar.
The massive black feline had its back to her as it growled menacingly.
When she placed her hand on his flank tentatively, the large cat looked at her with those golden eyes, but didn’t lash out at her. Instead the jaguar nudged her with his hip. Marisol’s courage built as she approached his head.
“Please” Marisol repeated.
The jaguar dropped and rolled again to his back. She reached up and scratched its belly and immediately he started to purr again.
Much to her surprise El Patron chuckled. “Well I guess there are worse things than being tamed by a little pussy.”
The other men laughed at his joke.
Marisol didn’t really appreciate El Patron’s humor, but at least his mood had changed and he put his gun away.
“Well if he likes you so much, he can have you.” El Patron declared then left followed by his men.
Marisol paused her scratching to reach hesitantly towards the jaguar’s neck. It took only a moment to unhook the chain and pull her hand quickly back away from the massive head. As much as the jaguar might act docile it was still a wild creature after all. But she just couldn’t let those awful men continue to yank on the chain. The poor creature’s neck was already raw.
The man that remained behind to guard her tugged on the chain that led out of the cage. He meant to antagonize the cat to entertain himself. The metal links clattered across the ground as it pulled free of the cage.
The black cat jumped to his feet. He shoved his head into Marisol’s stomach nudging her towards the center of the cage. The move made her nervous at first but the jaguar turned his back to her and growled at the man, his hackles standing on end as the rumble moved through his chest.
The guard backed up nervously as he held the loose length of chain in his hand.
Seeing the man at a comfortable distance, the large cat laid back down alert yet calm at Marisol’s feet. Eventually she sat again shaking her head unsure of what to think.
Marisol found herself running her fingers through the jaguar’s sleek black fur. The resulting purr was relaxing, the way it vibrated through the beasts entire body.
“What shall I call you?” Marisol asked as his big golden eyes studied her. “How about Jag?”
The jaguar blinked and it felt intentional and accepting of the nickname as he continued his contented rumble.
“I am Marisol” She said, laughing a bit since she was again talking to a creature. Well at least it wasn’t a rat this time. She was moving up in the world.
Marisol was so tired but she still wasn’t quite sure of this strange partnership.
Trip
Trip didn’t mind the nickname she’d given him and blinked as he stared her square in the eye as acknowledgement. The way her eyes rounded in surprise at his response was comical.
Her name was Marisol.
“Hello Marisol.” Trip purred as he rolled his head beneath her hand compelling her to scratch his ears. “Oh yeah that’s the spot.”
Marisol had bravely stood up to the boss, then slyly removed the burdensome chain. It lifted the weight off his neck giving him an ounce of relief.
Trip’s eyes practically rolled back into his head as Marisol’s fingers absent mindedly stroked his fur. Her eyelids grew heavy as he continued to purr. It seemed to lull her to sleep. Marisol eventually slumped into him. He ceased purring so he didn’t wake her.
Trip angled his head so he could study her. There was a bruise forming on her cheek and her lip was split. He also sensed Marisol had a major injury in her arm that was having trouble healing. On top of that Marisol was so small and though she was shapely Trip could see she hadn’t been fed enough.
Marisol was a captive, that was apparent. How long had she been here? She clearly couldn’t survive much more of this. Marisol would waste away or be brutalized by one of these assholes.
Trip felt compelled to protect her, she was his now after all. He had to step up his game and get them the fuck out of here. He had to focus and stop getting distracted by his primal side.
As a youth he’d learned that he could easily be sucked into the sights, smells and emotions when he shifted. Every sense was more vibrant. He was happy or sad, he fought or didn’t. There was no complicated in-between when mother nature governed. The longer he stayed as his cat the more he was lured into remaining that way.
The problem was he also lost elements of himself that were vital or that he cherished. Even now Trip could picture people he held deep affection for but dredging up their names was becoming increasingly difficult. This was the reason his kind shunned full Shifters. Most didn’t realize the internal battle he waged. Needless to say it was past time to get back to his human self.
Perhaps now he had an ally, one with fingers, he’d finally be able to shed the fur. Marisol had already removed the chain to the chagrin of the guards, now he just needed to get her to remove the collar.
Trip watched the remaining guards closely, waiting for them to nod off before closing his eyes.
Marisol
Marisol’s head popped up with the sound of growling. The light streamed in from the windows showing the group of guards standing around
the cage. Jag, as she’d dubbed the panther, didn’t appreciate the attention.
“The Jaguar didn’t tear her apart! You said it killed Aldo.”
“It did, broke his neck. Practically tore his throat out.” One of the guards replied as he shivered
“How are we supposed to take him back to the kennel without the chain?”
The men studied the cage door.
Jag positioned himself between Marisol and the door. He was protecting her. Marisol smiled for the first time in weeks. She reached out and stroked his flank.
“Easy Jag.” Marisol turned to the guards “You might want to bring him something to eat. It might keep him from attacking you.”
Surprisingly Jag chuffed out a roar and shook his head as if he agreed with her statement.
One of the guards nodded and took off.
It wasn’t long before someone brought what looked like a leg of goat meat, quickly unlatched the cage and tossed it in before rapidly closing the gate again.
“You better stay clear of him. He’s not eaten for a while.” One of the men said to her.
The assholes weren’t feeding the poor cat enough either, Marisol frowned.
Jag sniffed then picked up the hunk of meat. He walked back to the center of the cage and dropped it at Marisol’s feet then bumped her in the thigh with his forehead. He was offering her part of his meal.
“That is all yours big guy.” Marisol laughed. “I got to eat last night.”
Jag hunkered down and began eating.
Someone got the bright idea to try to enter the cage with the chain in hand while the jaguar was distracted.
Jag heard the latch click and was immediately on his feet growling menacingly.
The man quickly shut the door again changing his mind.
“Dios mio!” He exclaimed looking like his life just flashed before his eyes.
Marisol found it amusing that she felt safer with the big cat than she had since this nightmare had started.
“Why does he try to attack us and not her?” One man asked.
“Maybe because I’m not keeping him prisoner.” Marisol thought to herself as Jag continued with his meal, eyeing the guards warily the entire time.
Charge: A Motorcycle Club, Shifter, Romance (Shifting Steel Book 2) Page 3