Page 16 of Roman

“I don’t have lots of money.”

“The men your sister sold you to do. They’re paying us lots to keep you here.”

The words crashed over me. I looked up, the two men standing a few feet away. One carried a gun. They both wore dirty hoodies and looked as if they needed a shower. One had claw marks on his face, and he glared at me with hatred.

“W-what?”

“You’ve been sold, baby. Your life as you know it is over.” The one with the claw marks laughed, the sound making me shudder. “And I highly doubt you’re going to enjoy it.”

Sold.

Marianne sold me?As if I were a piece of furniture?

“No, please. Let me go.”

They laughed. “Sorry, we get a big payday once we turn you over.”

“No, you’re making a mistake.”

The one I’d clawed advanced, grabbing my shirt and hauling me to my feet. He was close enough I could smell his putrid breath and unwashed body. I tried not to gag, turning my face. He grinned, pushing closer. “The only mistake is that I don’t get to have a go at you,” he sneered. “But I can check out the merchandise,” he added as he grabbed my breasts, squeezing them hard. I gasped at the pain as he increased his hold. “Get used to it,” he advised. “I have a feeling pain is going to be in your future.” He groped me again, and I sobbed. I managed to push him away, and he slapped me. I dropped to the floor, rolling into a ball as he kicked me.

Then he hauled me to my feet again, and something fell to the ground between us. He frowned. “What you got here?” He picked up the card that had come from my pocket, holding it up and squinting to read it. To my shock, he stepped back, handing it to the other man.

“What the fuck?” he said, then grabbed my face. I braced myself for more pain, but I saw the fear in his eyes.

“Why do you have a card from Roman Costas in your pocket? Whose number is on the back?”

The words were out before I could think. I grasped the only lifeline I had.

“That’s his number.”

“Why would you have his number?”

I lifted my chin. “Because he’s my fiancé.”

The man gaped and stood back. “Liar.”

“Call the number and tell him you have me. See what happens.” I bluffed.

They looked at each other and hurried away. They snapped the light off, leaving me in the darkness again. I crumpled to the floor.

I prayed with everything in me that my gamble was going to work. I’d seen the terror in his eyes when he read Roman’s name. That terror was all I had.

ROMAN

I returned to the casino, furious. Livid. I headed straight to the computer room, opening the door so hard it slammed against the wall. My head guy looked up, lifting his eyebrows.

“Careful, Roman. Expensive equipment in here. Maybe have your tantrum somewhere else.”

I ignored his words. Gordon was one of the few employees not scared of me. He knew how valuable he was to me.

“Why did the chip on one of the white cards you gave me fail?”

He sat back, regarding me. “If you recall, it’s still being developed. It’s not perfect. It could have been destroyed. Malfunctioned.”

“It was on my screen one second, gone the next.”

“Then the card was moved.” He tapped on his screen, peering at it. “It shows it is active but undetectable right now. It’s somewhere the system can’t find it.”