No matter the alternative, Liv was fated to be someone else's property.

Unless I manage to escape.

That, however, was a long shot. And as long as Vaas was around, there was no chance. He almost shot her for attempting to help Chris, assuming that she was escaping. It shook her to the core. Death terrified her. Running became the final resort; at least until she had a surefire plan.

But then there was the matter of her future; the dead-end road she was speeding down. In time her injuries would heal, then like it or not Liv would be sold; she doubted that Vaas would keep her once the show was done. At least her heart could rest a little assuming that Chris would suffer the same fate; it was better than death, but not by much.

He just needs to survive the––

Liv was interrupted by a yawn. It was late and she was tired, but her thoughts were chaotic. She didn't give much thought to what Vaas had said at the time, but alone, there wasn't much distracting her from thinking. In a way, she hated it. She argued with herself over insignificant matters; blamed herself for not doing anything to save her coworkers or others. All night it was just an endless cycle of self-hate and finger-pointing, sprinkled with thoughts of the future. And Vaas; there were so many about him.

It was no wonder Liv was a tired mess by morning. Her body shook as she rubbed her eyes, worried that when it came time for her to do her one job on the island, the one job that put money in her pocket, she wouldn't be able to do it. Liv was furious with herself. She felt like screaming.

Leaning her head against the cage, she closed her eyes. It was ironic. Her mind was ready to sleep now that she had to wake up.

A sudden loud bang made her jerk in fear and she turned her attention to the source, glaring at Carlos as he slammed the butt of his gun against the cage again.

"Wake up," he ordered.

"I am awake. I haven't slept a goddamn wink," Liv retorted in annoyance.

She was in no mood to deal with him.

"Boo fucking hoo," Carlos replied. He slammed his gun against the cage again.

What did he even want?

"Leave me alone," Liv uttered.

She brought her knees up and rested her head against them.

"Jefe (boss) wants you awake. He says he has something he wants you to do," Carlos mentioned.

"Later... I can do it later," Liv uttered.

She squeezed her eyes shut, thankful that for a moment Carlos left her alone. Her shoulders slumped and the world around her began to fade. But the universe was cruel.

Something slammed against the cage a third time and woke Liv. She tightened her jaw and lifted her head, intending to shout at Carlos for being an asshole, but in addition to him, Vaas was standing there too. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Get the fuck up, querida (darling). You made me walk over here, so get up," Vaas ordered.

Liv groaned. Of course, Carlos would run to get Vaas. He was such a loyal bastard.

Pushing down her legs, she yawned. Once the gate was open, Liv tottered out and stared into space as Carlos shut the door behind her.

"What the fuck is wrong with her?" She heard Vaas ask Carlos. The man in question grunted in response.

A calloused hand on her face drew her attention to the man with the mohawk. His green eyes narrowed in question.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, querida (darling)? You look like shit."

"I'm so tired," Liv uttered. "I couldn't sleep."

Vaas hummed.

"You're no good to me like this.

Hearing this, Liv widened her eyes. She never wanted to put him in the mindset to say that she was useless to him.

"I... I'm fine. I can film the show––"

Vaas pressed his finger against her lips and hushed her; she shivered in protest; his skin was warm.

"Chris is sick. We aren't filming today."

Then what did he want her up for? Vaas turned his attention to Carlos.

"We'll do it later," he told him.

Do what later? She was hesitant to ask, and when Vaas took her arm and led her to the trailer, she was hesitant to follow him. Her mind was running with thoughts again; she was lucky that she didn't develop a headache.

Taking her to the bedroom, Vaas kicked the door closed behind them and motioned toward the bed.

"Lie down," he ordered.

"W-why?" Liv asked in fear.

She was confused. What did he want her to lie down for? Immediately, her mind went to the gutter. Her face turned red and she shook her head in disagreement.

"Lie the fuck down!" Vaas shouted, making her jump.

Liv hesitantly walked over to the small bed and sat down on the edge. She was about to lie down, but Vaas kicked her shoe in annoyance.

"Take off your shoes. Don't get your fucking dirt on my bed."

Removing them, she rested her head against his pillow and took an uneasy breath. The fabric smelled like him, like mangos, and a hint of something she could not make out; something that reminded her of the island. Her body shook as she watched him walk closer, sitting on a chair near the table; it gave a squeak that made her jerk. Was he seriously about to do this?

"Please... I just––"

"What the fuck are you going on about? Vaas asked, raising a brow.

What was he going on about? Was he not attempting to have sex with her?

"Why am I here?"

"So you can rest your pretty little mind, querida (darling). I told you that you are no good to me like this," Vaas answered.

So, he brought her to his room to sleep? Okay; strange, but okay. Her nerves eased a bit. The curious look he was giving her made Liv feel uncomfortable.

Suddenly, his eyes widened.

"You have a dirty mind, pervetida (pervert)."

Liv felt her face heat up.

"What was I supposed to think?"

"Do I look like one of your rich perverts? I don't fucking take advantage of women, querida (darling). All the mujeres (women) who come to my bed are paid for and willing," Vaas argued.

She judged him too quickly. But how was she to know? Liv had no idea that he was generous enough to let her sleep in his bed.

"I'm sorry... I'm just tired. Please don't be angry," Liv uttered.

He snorted. He didn't look mad.

"Go the fuck to bed before I change my mind and throw you out."

Liv watched him turn and pop open the laptop, groaning under his breath about her being ungrateful. She felt bad for judging him, but in her defense, Vaas was terrible with explaining a situation before he acted; it was like he made everything up on a whim and expected everyone to know what he was doing.

"Thank you, Vaas," she uttered, turning onto her side to face his back.

"Fuck you," he replied.

Liv snorted and closed her eyes. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

"Querida (darling). Wake up."

Liv groaned and buried her face into the pillow. She was aware that Vaas was calling her name, but she was far too comfortable to open her eyes.

"Do you want me to get the spiders?" Vaas asked.

No, she didn't. Whining, Liv forced open her eyes and stared at the man hovering over her.

"I'm awake."

She stretched her back and hummed in relief; she felt much better.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Nueve horas (nine hours)," Vaas replied.

Liv counted on her fingers.

"That's nine, right?"

"You don't know Spanish? It's the second-most spoken native language in the fucking world, querida (darling)," he explained with a look of annoyance.

Sadly no.

"It was either Spanish or French in high school and I chose French. It's considered to be the most romantic language," Liv mentioned.

She barely passed the class, however - it didn't matter now.

"You like to be romanticized? Hmm? An accent is what gets you wet?" Vaas asked with a grin.

"You're so forward," Liv uttered.

And lewd. She covered her heated face with her arm.

"Didn't you have something for me to do?"

Since Chris was sick. Liv hoped that he was OK.

"Only if you say please and thank you in Spanish," Vaas remarked. "Words will get you a long way with me."

Liv peeked at him, noting the glint in his eyes. She didn't even know how.

"Teach me."

Vaas grinned. Something told her that was the right answer.

"You'd say, por favor y gracias."

"Por favor-"

Vaas interrupted her with a tsk.

"Don't be fucking lazy. Roll your rs."

Liv took an uneasy breath and tried again.

"Por favor y gracias."

Standing, he motioned for her to get up. She wasn't sure what he wanted her to do, but regardless Liv stood and put on her shoes, then followed Vaas from the trailer. He led her around to a hut where Carlos and a group of pirates were - some were seated, playing cards and some were lounging.

"Carlos, we're ready!"

Ready for what? Liv raised a curious brow.

"Everything is set up, Jefe (boss)," the wall of a man retorted.

Vaas took her by the arm and led her to the gate. Liv expected his right hand to follow like a loyal dog, but the entire group; a nervous air surrounded her. What was going on? Near the gate, she noticed four multicolored glass bottles resting on a wooden board that was elevated by a set of cinder blocks.

Target practice?

The sound of a hammer being pulled confirmed her suspicion. She turned her attention to Vaas as he took the safety off his gun and offered it to her.

"Me?" She asked.

"Yes, you. Who the fuck else?" Vaas retorted. "Show these cock suckers how to shoot a gun."

Carlos snorted. He obviously underestimated her. This annoyed Liv. She took the gun and turned towards the targets.

"Don't miss. I have money riding on you," Vaas mentioned.

He reached out and covered her ears. Liv tightened her jaw. No pressure; what a fucking joke. She steadied the gun and aimed at the first bottle. With an easy breath, she slowly squeezed the trigger. The neck shattered and she grinned. Her aim was a little high though. Liv readjusted.

One by one she took out the targets and when Vaas removed his hands, an air of pride surrounded her as she heard applause from the pirates. Her face heated up.

Vaas took the gun from her and holstered it.

"Pay up motherfucker," he told Carlos.

Liv turned and watched the said man retrieve a wad of money from his pocket, handing it to Vaas. His annoyed eyes met hers and to spite him, she mouthed fuck you, earning a flick on the nose from Vaas.

"Behave," he warned her.

She groaned and twitched her nose; it was worth it.

"Go get Liv a mango. She earned it," Vaas ordered. His eyes averted to the others. "And you cock suckers get back to work."

Carlos narrowed his eyes but despite his annoyance, he turned and walked away; the others followed him, making jokes at his expense.

Liv was pumped. She genuinely smiled and turned her eyes to Vaas. In her high, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you."

The pirate widened his eyes and then grinned. He took her by the arm and yanked her back into the outpost.

"Carlos! You owe me, mother fucker! She kissed me like she kissed that rich fucking white boy on her phone! I told you!"

Liv was mortified. What the hell did she just do?