Colin stared off, pretending to contemplate.
“Be miserable and uninspired, I suppose.” He grinned, and Marco returned the expression. “This week has been enlightening, Mr. Ruiz. With your permission, I wish to be frank with you.”
Marco nodded, his eyes gleaming with interest.
“If I may be so bold…” Colin hesitated, mostly for show, but his gut was jittery as hell. “How does one go about obtaining a slave?” At this, Marco raised his brow. Colin continued, unfazed. “If you cannot say, I understand. I’m certain such a purchase would be quite expensive, but I’ve learned that some things are worth the money.”
“Indeed.” He steepled his fingers over his chest. “Taking a slave is a lot of work, Se?or. Great care and maintenance of their bodies and minds. They must be kept busy. An idle slave brings trouble. You must be willing to punish and train them diligently to earn their loyalty.” Colin nodded, and Marco went on. “You would need to find a network of other slave owners wherever you decide to settle. It’s best if you’re not the only one using your slave, because the females tend to grow jealousies, which lead to problems. In my early days when I was too green to know how to properly train, I had to trade and sell slaves who couldn’t control their emotions.”
Slaves had human emotions. Imagine that.
Colin watched the slave on Marco’s lap, Perla, as she stared sadly down at the water.
“Mr. Ruiz.” Colin chose each word carefully. “I’m at a time of my life where I have the means to obtain anything I want, except a woman who will meet my expectations. I didn’t think such a thing was possible until now. After spending time in your company, I realize I’m more than willing to make the necessary changes to have the lifestyle I want.”
“The lifestyle you deserve,” Marco crooned.
“Yes.” Colin’s skin buzzed, making him hyper aware of everything around him. The sunshine on his skin. The way Angela had gone rigid behind him, as if listening intently. Marco’s fierce stare, as if figuring out if Colin had what it took to be a slave owner. The way Luis had inched closer. In that moment, Colin was ready to do this. The man was humoring him, and it was time to move this forward.
“What do I need to do to make this happen?”
“I can put you in contact with my people,” Marco said carefully.
This was happening. It was almost too simple. Colin had learned that if something seemed too good to be true, it was. How far could he push this?
Colin sat forward on the edge of his seat, forcing Angel’s beautiful legs from around him. He rested his elbows on his knees and linked his fingers as he stared straight into Marco’s dark eyes. He knew what he was about to do was a long shot, but if it worked it would be fucking brilliant.
“I want to buy your Angel. I will pay any price.”
Silence. Even the air seemed to still.
He felt Angela’s frame jump ever so slightly. Marco made no move, nor did he change his nonchalant expression. Without looking away from Colin he said, “Angel, venga aquí.”
Angela pulled herself away from Colin and went to Marco, kneeling at his feet with her head down. Marco lifted Angela’s chin and spoke to her in English, probably for Colin’s benefit.
“Would you like a new master, little one?”
Colin could hardly breathe. He could see her trembling under the weight of Marco’s mind game. He clenched and unclenched his fist.
“No se, Maestro,” she whispered. I don’t know, Master.
“Come, come, Angel,” Marco crooned. “Be truthful. Can you be loyal to Se?or Douglas? Can you love him as a master the way you could never love me?”
Marco stroked her cheek, and she didn’t answer. She looked terrified. Colin was itching to intervene—to stop the man’s mental torture, but he had to let it play out. If he could complete this mission without raising suspicion, and without bloodshed, it would bring both himself and Angela a measure of safety afterward. Nobody would search for them if they thought he was another legitimate slave owner. He would fall off their radar. It would be worth it.
Marco sat back and gave his attention to Colin again. “One of the most difficult lessons I had to learn as a slave owner was to share my toys. It’s the only way to desensitize slaves…and their owners. I learned the hard way that my own actions and selfish desires were hindering my slaves from understanding their role. Do you understand what I’m saying, Se?or?”
Colin could only nod, because he didn’t like the direction this was going.
“I’ve not done right by Angel,” Marco said, looking down on the girl. “Her role, in relation to me, was not made clear enough. I had my own issues and regrets when it came to her, and my softness hindered her loyalty. Confused her.”
What the fuck was he going on about?