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He reaches for my arm and his fingers clamp down in a painful grip I’m all too familiar with. No matter how hard I try to fight it, fear spikes my pulse, and my skin feels as if I’m on fire.
I have to cause a scene.
"Let me go!” I yell, in a voice much louder than normal. Like I hoped, I get the attention of several people nearby.
Seth releases me. For one quick second I think I'm free, that he's actually going to let me go.
But when he puts on a smile that doesn't reach his eyes, I know there’s not a chance.
He whispers, “Your sister. I have your sister and all I need to do is make a call.”
Oh my God.
Starla.
If I don't go with him, he has the power to hurt her. And that might be the biggest form of control he’s ever exerted over me.
I take in everything about him in a matter of seconds. How pale his face is, the way his eyes protrude. His clammy, thin skin, those cruel hands of his that almost look like a girl’s. In my mind’s eye I quickly compare him to Sergio—my Sergio. Fiery and hot, strong and commanding, yet gentler than Seth could ever be.
I wet my lips and stare at him. "What about her?" It pains me even to ask that question.
Seth pulls out a cell phone. I didn't even know he had one or knew how to use it, but he’s surprisingly adept.
Who is this man?
When he flicks on the screen, I see Starla. I clamp my hand over my mouth to prevent myself from screaming out loud.
He hurt her. Somebody hurt her.
And as I watch, Seth pushes another button. "Starla, look at the camera.”
His voice echoes in the room. She can hear him. When her face turns toward the screen, I choke on a sob. One eye is swollen shut, and there's dried blood on the side of her face.
"It's your sister's fault that you're there. She put you there. Do you want to get out now?" Starla stares from the screen. I know she hears the voice because she sits up straighter. Her spine stiffens and she looks directly at the camera.
She opens her mouth and says two words I’ve never heard her utter. “Fuck. You.”
Rage contorts Seth’s features. I can see when he visibly snaps. I know this expression all too well, and I know what happens next. "Punish her."
Two doors open and men in robes come in.
“No!" I scream. "Leave her alone! I'll go with you. I swear I'll go!"
"That won’t be necessary.”
They say intense trauma and fear can play tricks on your mind. I truly wonder if I'm hallucinating that he's standing right here before me, as rugged and fearless as he's ever been as if I’ve conjured him up.
"Come here, Eden."
I shake my head. "They’ve got Starla. If I come to you, they'll hurt her."
My voice trembles, and when Seth turns up the volume on his phone, I hear Starla cry out. I know the sickening sound of that swish, that thud and cry. I would take her place in a heartbeat, but I don't even know where she is.
Seth turns to me but speaks to Sergio. “Eden’s my wife. She has to come with me, she's committed herself to me.”
“Sergio,” I say in a low voice. “I don't know where she is. I have to go with him.”
If he attacks Seth, we may never find Starla.
