21 Questions

Dominique prefers to consider herself a forgiving, rational, nonviolent person. She likes to take things and try to look at it from many different angles. Even when she came on the island, she always prided herself on thinking with a clear head and handling every decision with pragmatism; anything for survival she will do and she will do it with the utmost of courtesy.

Except, when Vaas kissed her.

It was a bizarre moment for Dominique; the way she was on top of him, the way his lips complimented hers, the way his stubble rubs against her neck…

She was aroused, she was attracted, and she was conflicted. For one, Vaas is the last person she ever wanted to be in this position with. He's violent, scary, and on more than one occasion threatened the safety of her and her friends' lives. Two, this isn't the time to be having any form of attraction; the main objective is survival. Getting off this island alive by any means necessary is an absolute must for Dominique. Three, these…emotions…are unacceptable for Dominique. She can honestly say she hates this man's very existence; why would anyone want to fuck someone they can't stand?

It wasn't just the kiss that shook her up, it was what took place after; he played her like a fiddle and it made her feel stupid, cheap, like a hormonal teenager that thought with his dick than with his brain and gotten fucked over by the school cheerleader. Hook, Line, and Sinker; that's not something you say to someone who is emotionally fragile and at a moment of weakness. Doesn't Vaas know anything; Hell Hath No Fury like a woman whose emotions have been manipulated; it's a death sentence waiting to happen and he might as well have signed the papers.

She's angry, as well she should; no one has a right to get one over on her while she's vulnerable. Vaas used her, for a fucking necklace; it's natural to feel vindicated. Vaas was insulting her intelligence, mocking her loneliness, waving her weaknesses in her face and spitting on it. Silly girl. You should know better than to trust a crook, her father tuts in her ear, you're smarter than that. She felt embarrassed, cheated, and ashamed. She wants a little revenge.

For Dominique, a little would be having two dangerous drug lords bound, blindfolded, and at her mercy while she wields a gun and an unpredictable temper.

As much as she hates to admit it, Dominique gets a kick out of being the one in control for once, giving her captor a taste of his own medicine. As for Kingston, it was a two-for-one deal, a means to an end. This wasn't supposed to be the plan.

The plan was to evacuate the residents of Beras Town and make connections with the arms dealer, not have gung-ho Carmen and Vaas commandeer the soldiers and try to save the day. Dominique and Anika scrambled to save their crumbling operation and, unfortunately, turn on themselves for the sake of saving face. Carmen is being detained and reprimanded for the lack of diplomacy; you never make rash decisions without consulting the group first; it's the antithesis of what makes a team a team.

Furthermore, the mission is to save Mike or find out about his whereabouts; dealing with Kingston and his men would be the next best thing after Mike is safely recovered.

Getting Kingston in her possession wasn't a total loss; sure, she blew her cover now, but at least he can give some info about the whereabouts of Mike. With any luck, Mike may still be alive and they can get to him before it's too late. Time is not on their side; they must work quickly.

"Hello, Kingston." She greets the sorry excuse for a man hanging from the ceiling by his arms. His curly locks plastered to his face, glasses askew to make room for the blindfold, and his once pristine face marred with gashes, dirt, and sweat. He wasn't an easy catch; he was more skilled with combat than she gave him credit for. If it wasn't for the girls ganging up on him, he would've gotten away.

"My little Island Flower. Somehow, I should've seen this coming. Should've listened to Bell Biv Devoe: Never trust a big butt and a smile."

"Cute. You captured a friend of ours. One with the medical expertise…?"

"Medical expertise…that don't ring a bell."

"He's a black man with green eyes and a stethoscope. Don't tell me you don't know who I'm talking about."

"Oh, him. Nice man, screamed like a little bitch when I shot him."

That earned him a sharp crack in the face with her pistol. She'd see Carmen do it numerous times to tell her she'd done it right when his head jerks to the side and he spits out blood. He chuckles.

"Spicy. I like that. This some kind of fucked up foreplay, but I'm game. How about you untie me and we can make it even, bitch?"

She cracks him across the face again.

"Is. He. Alive?" she grits out, the barrel of the gun jammed into his jawbone.

"Fuck if I know. He was mighty unresponsive when I left him bleeding. I'm sure the crocodiles don't mind having a little snack. Just like the good ol' days…"

She punches him in the face with her left hand, tears stinging her eyes. Mike might be dead. He's…

He's dead.

"You monster. He was a nurse, he had medical knowledge…"

"You think I give a fuck? You and your Valkyries here took out my men and destroyed my property. There ain't enough fingers and toes in this room to make us square."

"I should kill you, I should—"

"-Before you put a bullet through that fucker's skull, you mind telling me why I'm tied up with this Conquistador fuck?"

"Because you made a stupid decision without consulting us. You could've sacrificed the whole operation and put us in jeopardy!"

"We got info that Conquistador here and his chicken fucks were coming here to ambush the people and set up shop. If they'd done it, we'd have all been fucked. I had to act fast."

"But you didn't consult—"

"Consult my dick. We had to do what was necessary."

"Vaas…"

"This isn't even the real reason, is it? You haven't talked to me in three days, Dominique. What makes you think I'm going to break that code of silence and consult you? This is some bullshit excuse for something else. Are you still upset about what happened that night? Hmm?"

Her lips press themselves into a thin line.

"I knew it. I fucking knew it. You Americans are so fucking predictable. Do you know why I kissed you? Hmm? Do you know why I fucking kissed you? Because I toy with bitches like you for fun. Give a girl a little bit, let them crave more, and they'll do anything and not know you've robbed them blind." He laughs a bitter laugh. That laugh ignites a fiery rage in her gut. Don't get angry, Dominique. That's what he wants…

"You're lonely, weak, pathetic, with self-esteem so fucking low you're willing to drop your panties for every man that gives you a compliment. You know how easy that was? All I had to do was call you beautiful and you were on me like a bitch in heat, grinding into my lap, moaning in my ear. You probably would've let me fuck you, if I kissed you a little bit softer and whispered all the right lies in your ear…" his voice was too sweet for words that cruel; it makes her sick, makes her feel dirty.

She wanted nothing more than to run out of that hut; the air is thick, stifling her breath and making her head dizzy. Here he is, bound and at her mercy, making her feel powerless to his acid tongue.

"What's wrong, beautiful? Don't like being talked to like that? Don't want to hear the truth that you're a stupid little girl who's a pain in my ass? Don't want to hear my words because they hurt your delicate and fragile feelings?"

Beautiful now sounds sour; it punches her in the gut with a force so strong it makes her knees buckle.

Stupid little girl.

Bitch in heat.

Lonely.

Weak.

Pathetic.

You probably would've let me fuck you if I whispered all the right lies in your ear…

When she feels hotness on her cheeks is when she realizes she's crying.

What happens next was a blur.

All she remembered was her fist colliding with Vaas' face and she didn't stop.