“We need to escape, Ava-Jane.”
“There’s no escaping. No one ever escapes, Lili. We only get out when they take us to Goodyear, or the parties, or the fights.”
The fights. I felt a chill. Had she been at the fights when I was there? Up in Goodyear’s private box? “We are escaping and Chadwick Goodyear will pay for what he’s done to you.”
She flinched, then jerked backward. “Stop. It’s too late.” She straightened. “You’re lucky. You’re getting out. Someone is coming to get you.” She moved toward the door.
I scrambled to my feet. “Ava-Jane, I’m getting us out of here.” I awkwardly hugged her again.
She clung to me for a second, her fingers digging into my skin. Then she gave me one last glance before she slipped out and closed the door behind her.
I wanted to kick and scream. I wanted to hurt Goodyear. I wasn’t a violent person, but that man…he was evil.
Okay, I need to get my head straight and work out a plan. I sucked in some breaths, then sat down. I unscrewed the cap on the water bottle and drank. Ava-Jane was wrong. No one was coming for me.
I lifted my chin. I was going to have to save myself and my friend.
I forced myself to drink some more water. Rising, I stood at the door, listening.
The murmur of men’s voices. I crouched down. I heard footsteps, more murmurs.
It sounded like they were getting closer.
“New girl will be gone soon,” a deep voice said.
“Shame. I like the look of her. Totally a girl next door.”
My stomach curdled.
The other man laughed. “No touching the goods, or you’ll be in trouble. Anton’s coming to collect the new one.”
I suddenly felt sick. I leaped up, my stomach doing a wild turn.
Anton.
I hurried to the window, but when I looked out, I saw I was on the second story. The house was nothing more than an ordinary building in one of Las Vegas’ many subdivisions. Theentire street was lined with two-story, cream, copycat houses, with xeriscape yards and palm trees.
A circle of the room yielded nothing. Hopelessness closed around my throat. There was nothing I could use to get the cuffs off, or use as a weapon.
I slid down the wall and closed my eyes. Conserve my strength and wait for an opportunity to escape. That was all I could do.
My thoughts drifted to Cole.
He’d realize I was gone by now. Maybe he thought I’d just left. Maybe he was glad to be rid of me. He’d seemed eager to get me out of his hair last night.
Still, my mind held onto the image of him. His rugged face, the tattoo on his brawny arm, his strong body. It made me feel just a little bit better.
I must have dozed, because the next thing I knew, the door to the room flew open. I startled awake and saw two guys in suit pants and rolled up shirt sleeves headed my way. They weren’t the same guys from last night, but I had no doubt they were part of Goodyear’s army.
“What’s going on? What’s?—?”
“No questions.” One yanked me up.
They each took one of my arms and dragged me out of the room.
I was so tired of people dragging me around, forcing me to do things I didn’t want to do. I kicked and jerked.
“Let me go!”
