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Coming to stand in front of me, he leans down, making his putrid scent burn the hairs in my nostrils. Gagging silently, I lock my body up, waiting for him to strike.
"What do naughty girls get? Do you remember?" His nose drags up my neck, following the nauseous goosebumps up to my ear.
His breath sends the hairs on the back of my neck into a panic. Alarm bells blare in my mind, and my fight, flight or freeze instincts are arguing in every crevice of my brain.
The sweat of his palm gliding up my thigh leaves the air to cool the leftover moisture making me shiver in disgust.
"What do naughty girls get?" He hums at me while his other hand twirls in my dirty hair.
"Fuck you," I spit out because there is no fucking way I am answering that vile question.
"Mm, can't wait till we get you to your new cage. But for now, we have to get a move on." The sharp prick in my arm is a shock.
The last time he used that method was back in that godforsaken alleyway. I can't fight the drooping of my eyelids, but annoyance and disappointment flood my system.
I have to be stronger. I have to fight if I ever want to get home.
Home...Just want to go home.
Amiri
You know that feeling when even asleep in a car, you know you are almost there? Maybe it's the car slowing down that triggered consciousness or the energy in the car shifting. Either way, you awake ready for whatever is on the outside of the car doors.
Except, this time, I was not ready for what was on the outside of the SUV.
"What's going on, Nol?"
After a long, fourteen-hour day of driving and swapping out who is in the passenger seat, Nolan has us parked in front of a disgusting motel. The heart-stopping part? There are flashing lights and caution tape surrounding the area.
My stomach twists, not knowing what the hell is going on. Is Eve in there? If she is, does that mean...
"Ask Korren." Nolan's catchy words tug me out of my downward spiral. I turn in my seat, ready to do just that.
"Smith is here. He sent me the address. This is where their leads have led them." He gulps, eyes wide as he stares out the window. "I didn't think there would be a fucking crime scene, though."
Fuck.
I nudge Ryan's shoulder, needing to know where he is right now. Because clearly, the two in the front seats are not okay. Their pale complexions and worried expressions are enough to tell me that I need to take the lead.
Ry looks over at me and nods, confirming he can help me out. He's a little pale, and his floofy hair is a bit flat from our long day on the road. Other than that, his gaze is clear, and his shoulders are back; he's composed.
"Let's go," I state firmly, knowing they need my guidance.
The sounds of seatbelts being unbuckled reach my eyes as I grab the door handle and thrust it open. The cool evening air breezes along my dark skin, a reminder not to get left out here at night.
"Amiri." The familiar voice has my head swinging toward a tired-looking detective.
"Smith." I nod and shake his hand before he greets the rest of the guys.
He studies us for a beat. "This is their last known location. As of this morning."
"So, she's not...she's not in there?" Nolan's voice comes out wary—my heart pounds in my chest, waiting for his answer.
"What? No! I'm sorry, boys. I should have assumed you would have thought the worst." He looks around him with a critical eye, finally realizing how awful this looks. Dressed in jeans and a tight black long-sleeved shirt, Smith gives us an apologetic look. "Shit, I didn't think about it. No, she's not here; come take a look."
We all release a collective sigh of relief, the unknown weighing hard on us. Trading wary glances with my brothers, I give a nod and proceed to follow him toward one of the motel rooms.
I never thought I would be one of those people who bends to pass under crime scene tape...yet here I am. Because, like I told Eve, I would follow her to the ends of the earth. My chest twinges, remembering that wonderful day.
