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"Danny and Mick landed in a twisted heap at the bottom of the stairs. I screamed and ran to them, letting go of Lewis. Without my support, Lewis slid to the floor. He was so busy crying about his fall, that he did not seem to notice his father and cousin. Danny pushed me away when I tried to help him up. Mick was unconscious, and a large purple bump was already forming on his head."
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"Danny picked up Mick and slung him over his shoulder. He told me to help Lewis up, and we went downstairs. When we got outside, Danny opened the cellar door, and tossed Mick's limp body inside, like a sack of potatoes."
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" 'What are you doing Danny?' I cried. 'You can't just leave him down there!' "
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"Danny turned to me with dark hatred in his eyes; the veins in his neck were throbbing. He grabbed my face in his hand, squeezing it with his fingers. He put his face close to mine, and whispered, 'Callate puta, o vosotros sufririis libelo peor destino....A much worse fate.' "
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"Then he kissed me on the mouth. Chills went up my spine when his lips touched mine. It was not a sensual kiss; there was no mistaking it for one. I knew exactly what he meant by it, and I tore away from his grasp. He gave me a wicked smile, and ordered Lewis and me to get in his car."
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"The large Chevy Suburban was fitted with snow chains on the tires, and it cut through the ice on the road with ease. He drove us to the hospital in Clayton, and we went inside. Lewis was given a room, and Danny told me to stay with him. I searched the room for a phone in vain; Danny had taken no chances. I considered going down the hall to a pay phone, but when I opened the door, a large man was standing on the other side. I knew he was there to keep me from leaving."
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" 'Papa told you to stay with me Michelle!' Lewis said. 'I will tell if you leave me alone!' "
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" 'I'd like to leave you alone forever Lewis!' I shouted. 'I thought you loved me! How can you allow your father to do this?' "
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" 'Papa wants me to be happy,' Lewis replied, with a smug look in his yellow eyes. 'You make me happy, and he is going to give you to me.'
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" 'Give me to you? I'm not his to give!' I shouted, and whirled around just in time to run smack into Danny's chest. He looked at me with contempt, and brushed me away like a piece of lint. Danny had returned with another man, who he introduced as Judge Stephens."
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" 'This must be the happy couple,' the judge said, looking amused. 'I must say, the bride seems a bit reluctant.' "
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" 'I am not paying you for your astute observations,' Danny said sarcastically. 'Just perform the ceremony, and keep your opinions to yourself!' "
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" 'Yes Mr. Santos, of course,' Judge Stephens said nervously."
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"The judge had a marriage licensee, and I hesitated before I signed my name. Then I looked up at Danny's cold eyes, and the sour taste of his cruel kiss flooded my mouth again. He told me earlier that I had no choice, and I knew at that moment that he had spoken the truth. I signed the license, and handed Lewis the pen. Lewis smiled as he put his name above mine."
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"Judge Stephens took a small bible from his coat pocket; it fell open to a page marked with a ribbon. I repeated the vows after him, but the words had no meaning to me. It was as if I was in a hypnotic state. Lewis spoke them too, but his voice sounded like it was a million miles away."
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" 'I now pronounce you man and wife,' the judge said solemnly, startling me out of my trance. He closed his bible with a flourish, and Danny handed him an overstuffed envelope. Judge Stephens started to open the envelope, but Danny shot him a warning glance. The judge shook his hand, and left the room."
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"Danny took a small flask from his pocket, and raised it in my direction. 'Salzd nuera,' he said, and took a long drink. He wiped the mouth of the flask with his sleeve, and shoved it in my hand."
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"My eyes narrowed with loathing, and I raised the flask to him. 'Salzd suegro,' I said bitterly, and put the flask to my lips."
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