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Anton stalked forward, shoving Reed out of the way and gripping me around the throat. His fingers squeezed enough to cut off my oxygen supply as he lifted me onto my tiptoes. “I’d like to see you try,pet.”
Oh, I’ll try. And I’ll succeed.As I gasped for air, I vowed that he wouldn’t see me coming. One way or another, I was going to take this man down and ruin him the same way he’d ruined me. I didn’t know when or how, but I’d make this pack rue the day they learned my name.
Anton hauled me away from the van, keeping a tight shackle on my throat. I scratched at his wrist and hand, trying to loosen his fingers. Huck flicked his knife shut and pocketed it, then wrenched the back doors open as the rapid beat of my heart spread whatever poison they’d injected me with.
Anton shoved me toward Reed and Huck.
“Toss her in and let’s go. I won’t be late for our own event. We have some high-profileinvestorscoming tonight, and they’re all going to want attention,” Anton ordered, dropping the syringe to the ground and smoothing a hand down the sharp line of his tailored suit, straightening it like he’d just walked out of a business meeting rather than an abduction.
I was out of time, and dread shot through me as the others dragged me toward the van.
“Stop! STOP!” I screamed at Huck when he lifted me as though I weighed nothing and tried to shove me into the vehicle.
The back had two doors which swung outwards, and I used my feet to catch the edge of the frame, trying in vain to keep him from getting me inside. He growled and repositioned my struggling body. Twisting and flailing, I fought with everything I had as he forced me into the creepy-ass van. Pain shot through my hip as I landed on the rough metal floor.
“You brought this on yourself, little mouse,” Reed patronized, waggling his fingers, waving goodbye, as they slammed the doors shut. “Such a waste of a good pussy.”
Banging on the back, he signaled whoever was in the driver’s seat that they were good to go. The van lurched forward, and I scrambled for the doors. The handles wouldn’t budge, no matter how hard I wrenched them. They’d locked in me from the outside with no way to escape.
My head swam as I watched Anton, Huck, and Reed saunter toward a black town car. Reed walked backward, tossing me a wink and blowing me a kiss before swinging around and sliding effortlessly into the sleek vehicle. It was much more their style than the dark, shoddy work van.
My ride, on the other hand, had no windows on the sides, and an internal metal wall blocking off the front cab. It didn’t stop me from banging on every available surface and begging for mercy. For freedom. My nails chipped and bled as I tried to pry the doors open. My fists were sore from how hard I pounded on the small back windows, hoping they’d crack, then break.
Sweat beaded on my forehead and my growing headache thundered while the world spun. Everything turned fuzzy at the edges. I listed sideways as the van bounced over a speed bump. My shoulder slammed into the wall, and I groaned, reaching to rub at the sore spot sluggishly.
Why are my arms so heavy?
Holding onto my thoughts was like trying to grip smoke. They slipped right through my fingers, the fog settling over my mind, making it hard to remain coherent. I blinked, practically falling asleep as I slumped to the floor of the van. Lashes fluttering, I begged my body to cooperate and stay awake.
Need to fight. Escape.
I swallowed compulsively as my fingertips began to tingle, the numbness spreading through me.
What was I saying?I couldn’t remember.Need to sleep.
Giving up the struggle, I let my eyes fall closed and embraced the peace the darkness offered. It wrapped around me like a blanket.I’ll rest. Just for a second. Just for one….
three
DEMI
Fragments of realityfiltered through the haze of disorientation. I remembered nothing about the ride in the van. Only darkness, tinted windows, and the nauseating rocking of the vehicle as it traveled.
I’d slipped in and out of consciousness, clawing to those moments of lucidity. I could only guess how long I had been out of it..
My brain was fuzzy and disoriented as dark-clad men dragged me from the van. I was too drowsy to remember their faces or any defining details. Even their voices sounded like they were echoing down a long tunnel. It felt like I was viewing the world from underwater. Everything swam in and out of focus. My vision was soft around the edges, shaky and unfocused.
After that, there were nothing but snapshots, the images glitching in and out like a faulty connection on an old TV. I couldn't distinguish between what was real and what wasn't. The deep blue of the night sky. A tall, old building made of glittering glass. Infiltrating pools of warm light from distant street lamps. An alleyway straight out of a slasher movie. A dark doorway that led to more darkness—always darkness. And my father’s smiling, unmoving face… on a real estate sign?
The next thing I knew, I woke up all over again. This time, cold and half-naked. I pushed myself up despite the tingling and numbness in my hands and arms, only to bang my head into the steel bars above it. The curse I released slurred on my lips until it sounded like a mishmash of syllables rather than a legit word.
Blurry colors coalesced into a clearer picture the longer I stared, revealing a line of cages in a dimly lit room.
Where the fuck am I?
The sound of whimpers and crying created a sorrowful song that echoed around me as I blinked and tried to get my bearings. Darkly colored walls adorned with modern art boxed us in, and the smell of new paint still clung to the air. Black marble tile covered the floor and the overhead lights were soft tungsten, kept low and, dare I say, calming. The space was reminiscent of a spa.
I scoffed.Yeah right.
