They scatter through the door, sprinting for freedom, I bolt after them.
Then freeze.
Five men are standing between us and the exit.They’re not wearing masks.
And right in the center—Gian.My stomach plummets.
“Well,” he drawls, smiling like a viper.“Fancy meeting you again, Lily.”
“Gian… Help us.Please.”My voice cracks.Maybe, maybe he’s not part of this.Maybe he…
His laugh, low and cold, slithers down my spine.“Oh, I will help you.Just not the way you’re hoping.”He steps forward, and without warning, smashes his fist into my face.Pain explodes in my jaw.I hit the floor hard, a metal tang flooding my mouth.My lip is split.My sight is blurry from tears and I’ve let go of my weapon.
Behind me, the women scream as the men herd them against the wall, shouting orders.Hands grab them to shove them back and push them down.I push up to my knees.My limbs tremble, but I force myself to my feet, stepping between Gian and the others.
“Don’t hurt them,” I whisper hoarsely.“It was my idea.”
His eyes blaze.Crack!A slap lands across my face so fast I barely register it until my cheek is burning and tears stream from my eyes.
“You don’t give orders here,” he snarls.He grabs me, fingers digging into my upper arms, and yanks me close.The smell of sweat and expensive cologne turns my stomach.
“So full of fight,” he mutters, voice low and possessive.“Shame to bruise the merchandise.”He drags his thumb along my bleeding lip, then presses hard enough to make me flinch.“Look what you made me do.”
I twist in his grip, but he fists my hair, jerking my head back.Pain radiates through my scalp.
“I should teach you obedience right now,” he growls.“Let the others watch.Maybe then they’ll learn.”
My breath catches when something flashes in his hand.
A knife.
He slides it under my shirt, the cold steel grazing my skin, then he yanks it upward, slicing the fabric of my shirt and my bra, exposing me to the stale air.I choke on a sob, terror washing over me in waves.
This is it.This is how I die.
“I could keep you,” he whispers, lips brushing my cheek.“Break you, make you beg.And when I’m done, you’ll go to market like the rest.And I’ll make sure the Santaluccia bastard knows how you screamed and begged to be fucked.”
No.
I snap.With a primal cry, I thrash against him, not caring if the knife cuts me.I’d rather bleed out than be touched by him.His mouth crashes over mine in a vile kiss.I bite down hard.
His blood fills my mouth as he yells and jerks back.
“You little…” He slams me to the floor with such force that my head cracks against the cement.Stars burst in my vision, everything spins.
Then all hell breaks loose.
Gunfire erupts like thunder, screams echo off the warehouse walls.Chaos.Violence.Death.
I can’t move.I curl into myself, eyes screwed shut, hands over my head as if that could shield me from it all.My ears ring so loudly it drowns out the world.Dust and smoke choke the air.Someone is yelling.Someone is crying.
Then strong hands grip my arms.
No, no, no.
I scream.Thrash.Fight.I can’t see, can’t breathe—
“Lily.”The voice cuts through the haze, deep and raw.“Lily, my love.It’s me.I’m here.You’re safe.”
