Chapter 21

Diego

Vanessa turns to me, hurt and betrayal clouding her eyes. "Diego, you knew about this?"

Shit.

"Yes," I reply without hesitation. I've known since Alicia was first abducted, but I didn't want her to harbor ill feelings toward her sister. Not while she's still mourning her.

"See? As the collar around your neck implies, you are nothing but a pet to him. A piece of ass like your mother."

Vanessa's head snaps back to her, and in an instant, she holds the blade to Celeste's throat. "I'd shut your fucking mouth if I were you," she hisses.

I can tell it's exactly what Celeste wants. If Vanessa gets angry enough to just slit her throat, she won't have to endure torture anymore.

Vanessa must see through it too. She lowers the knife, shaking her head. "I won't let you go out the easy way. It isn't fair to everyone you've hurt," she says quietly.

"Vete a la mierda (fuck you)," Celeste spits.

As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Vanessa drives the knife into her bound hand. Celes