He does. He lowers his gun and presses a fervent kiss to Celia’s forehead. “I’m sorry she made you remember,” he whispers, “especially when I’ve tried so hard to make you forget.”
She reassures him. “I have, Felipe. I promise you, I have.”
With that, Felipe returns his attention to the other woman in the room. “Go wash up, sweet girl. Your master should be coming back any minute, and I suggest you’re ready for him when he does. You don’t have much time together.”
“What do you mean?” Her lip quivers.
Felipe is not without a heart, and this girl’s boundless capacity for love and forgiveness prods at his idle conscience. “I wish there was more I could do for the two of you. I’ve enjoyed watching your relationship unfold. Good luck to you, Kitten.” He means every word. He takes hold of Celia’s hand and escorts her out of the room.
62. Kid
Kid has been beside himself with worry for several hours, waiting for Felipe or Celia to come and retrieve him…or for someone else to take him prisoner…or to hear that one or both of them has been murdered. He’s angry with Felipe all over again for locking him away. His fingers rub the spot where Felipe’s punch landed. He’ll be tender for days.
Finally! A voice comes over the intercom; it’s Felipe’s. “Open the door, Kid. The code is 27-44-56-29.” Kid wastes no time in punching in the code. Celia envelops him in her arms and sobs into his neck.
“Felipe? What’s wrong?” Kid holds Celia to him as though she’ll fly apart if he doesn’t.
“There’s no time to explain. Put on these clothes. We’re leaving.” Felipe brooks no argument and Kid knows better than having to be told twice when his master is this serious.
Still, Kid can’t help but laugh as he zips his pants. “Did you have to bring me the lime green suit? I look like a gangly lizard.” Celia laughs and sniffles, Felipe shakes his head, and the three of them rush out of the panic room.
Outside, Reynaldo is waiting for them in a pitch-black Cadillac CTS. Kid barely has time to admire the vehicle before Felipe’s hand lands on his head and urges him into the backseat. Celia and Felipe slide in beside him. “Where’re we goin’?” he asks. Despite his cooperation, Kid is more than a little nervous about the night’s events. “What’s going on, Celia? Why are you both acting so strange?” His mind quickly fills with all sorts of awful scenarios.
“Sit back,” Felipe snaps. He places one hand on Kid’s chest and reaches across for his seatbelt. Kid looks at Celia who is already with the program and latching her belt. Felipe makes sure hers is secure anyway before he sits back and secures himself. Reynaldo is seriously hauling ass down the driveway.
Once they’re off the property, Reynaldo slows down and Felipe visibly relaxes. It’s odd to see this side of the older man and he doesn’t particularly like it. He prefers his master’s haughty and over-confident demeanor because it makes him feel safe. Kid doesn’t feel like he’s out of harm's way right now. He rubs his abdomen.
“I apologize,” Felipe says softly. He turns his face toward the window and reaches out to hold Celia’s hand in her lap. “I shouldn’t have hit you. Rafiq surprised me and I didn’t want to discuss your safety.” He meets Kid’s eyes and says, “I won’t ever do it again. A man has the right to choose his own destiny.”
Everyone looks so grim. It makes Kid nervous. “Hey,” he smiles, “just because I’m more of a lover than a fighter doesn’t mean I can’t take a punch. Ask Amanda Simpson; she punched me all through third grade and I still went out with her in junior high.”
Felipe grins in spite of himself and covers his mouth. “I still should not have done it. You’re my lover, not just my ‘fuck toy’ as you so eloquently put it once.”
Kid scrunches his nose. “Gross! Do you have to say it like that? Lover? Sounds so…old.” He winks at the other man, instantly pleased by the charmed look in his master’s eyes.
“You’re free.” Celia’s broken voice hits Kid’s ears like a slap.
“Excuse me. What?” Kid takes Celia’s free hand in his and squeezes. It isn’t until Celia hisses in pain that he loosens his hold the slightest bit. “Celia, what the hell are you talking about?”
She turns her blotchy face toward him and looks up at him through spiky lashes. “Is that what you want?” She’s so sad. Kid’s heart feels like it’s pulling apart in his chest.
“Celia,” Felipe says in his ‘I know what you’re up to’ voice. “Stop trying to manipulate him. You know better than I do that if we don’t give him his freedom, he’ll resent us no matter how well we treat him.”