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She opened the bag and withdrew a surprising variety of items that would ordinarily have made her feel better. Cleansing wipes, toothpaste and toothbrush, a comb, and even deodorant. There were clothes—underwear, a T-shirt, and khaki pants. Even some socks and sneakers. She would be surprised if Kingsley had supervised the contents. Not only because he would see that as beneath him, but also because he’d made it clear her comfort was the last thing he wanted.
Either way, she took advantage of the items. Half an hour later, she felt fresher and more alert than she had in three days. She had no mirror, but from what she could see of her body, her bruises were turning various shades of blue, green, and yellow. She was sure she looked a fright, but she had zero interest in her appearance.
Not long after she’d cleaned up and dressed, another guard appeared. In one hand, he held a laptop, and in the other was what looked like the cold cheese sandwich and bottled water she’d come to expect.
She did her best to show more interest in the food than the laptop. Not because she was hungry, but if it appeared she was more interested in working than eating, there would be suspicion. That was the last thing she wanted.
The cell door creaked open, and he handed both items to her. “Boss said you’d know what to do. I’ll be back in a few hours for the laptop.”
She nodded. The instant he left, she placed the computer on the cot and picked up the sandwich. Being fully aware that cameras were on her, she unwrapped the sandwich and made every effort to eat as much as she could. She managed more than half before her stomach said enough. Wrapping up the rest for later, she drank most of the water and then calmly, deliberately sat on the cot and pulled the computer onto her lap. Her assignment appeared on the screen. A simple enough hack of a law firm in Italy. She set to work, typing code and gathering intel. In the last line of code, she included a short message to her team. She usually had much more to say, but this time, she had only two words.
Come now.
After completing the assignment, she closed the laptop, placed it on the floor, and returned to her normal activity of staring at the wall. She knew there were a lot of ifs attached to her message to OZ. She had no surety that they’d even gotten any of her messages. If rescue didn’t arrive within the next few days, she would have no choice but to launch her own escape. One way or other, she would be leaving here soon.
She’d had enough.
Hours later, another soldier arrived. None of Kingsley’s guards were friendly by any means, but this one had the hard, cold look of a soulless killer. She’d seen that expression on too many people in her career.
Standing outside of the cell, he growled, “Give me the laptop and your clothes.”
Today, for the first time since she’d been down here, she had felt almost human. Being able to clean up a bit and wear real clothes had given her a small amount of comfort. And now this cretin was demanding she return them. She had a choice to make. Her rational mind told her to comply, that in a day, maybe less, her team would be here, and she would be able to get out of this prison. Giving up her clothes was just one more indignity to endure.
Her heart, her spirit, her very essence told her something different. She had given all she was going to give. Anything more, they would have to take. And she would make sure they paid.
Having no issues returning the laptop, she shoved it toward him.
He nodded at her body. “Now your clothes.”
“No.”
A slow smirk curled at his mouth. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He opened the cell door and grabbed for her.
Serena went full force. Blocking his arm, she released three quick jabs, slamming her fist into his throat, his gut, and his crotch. When he doubled over, she brought a leg up and kneed his nose. The resounding crack sent a sick thrill through her.
The feeling of triumph didn’t last long. He grabbed hold of her hair while his other hand swiped across her face in a stunning blow. She flew sideways, hitting the wall and dropping to the floor. Agony zipped through her ankle, and she didn’t need to hear the snap to know a bone had broken.
“Guess that docile look she’s always had disappeared.”
She raised her head, seeing that two other men had joined the soldier she’d pummeled.
“She broke my nose,” the man groaned nasally.
“Yeah, well, you were ugly to begin with,” one of the men said with a snorting laugh.
“No, she ain’t getting away with it. Hold her for me.”
“No way. Kingsley said she’s hands-off. You saw what happened to Smith, and he didn’t do anything.”
Pain ricocheted from her ankle to her face and back again. Knowing she was at the end of her reserves, she clenched her jaw and waited to see what the mammoth man would do.
His hand covering his nose, he glared down at her. “I’ll be back.” He stomped away.
The other two men looked down at her. Neither said anything for several seconds, and she held her breath, just knowing more pain was headed her way. Instead, they looked at each other.
Then one of them said, “We’ll make sure he doesn’t come back.”
They walked away without locking her cell door.
