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Why would he bring up prostitution if he didn’t plan on cashing out on this exchange sexually?
No matter how much I tried to rationalize my situation, I couldn’t control the way my muscles clenched and limbs trembled with an uncontrollable fervor. I held my arm tightly, trying to hide the traitorous trembling, but I knew Dante saw everything. He had to.
My past came rushing forward in waves, swelling my illogical fear to unimaginable levels. I could handle threats. I could handle violence. There had only been one time in my life when I’d been truly defenseless against an opponent, and that man hadn’t wanted to stop at just violence.
I couldn’t handle those kinds of threats again.
Logically, I knew I could take care of myself. But my traitorous body didn’t believe that for even a moment.
“Where are you taking me?” I pushed, my voice trembling.
I reached a shaking hand toward my waistband, where I’d had my shiv, but I came up empty.
My muscles tensed as I recalled why I hadn’t brought anything with me. Dante likely had a dozen scattered around his body, but I had to play my part. I couldn’t be seen as a threat to him, so I hadn’t brought anything more than a small can of pepper spray.
That, of course, had been taken.
I’d gambled too far this time. I’d let my temper guide me in the wrong direction, and this time, it would get me killed.
I’d done this strategically. I’d gambled with my life and my safety to gather information for my stepfather, but I couldn’t stay here. I had to getout.I had to escape. No amount of reason or rational thinking could stop the visceral reaction of my trembling body as I slammed a hand on the door handle, stumbling over it.
I finally managed to tug it and found it securely locked.
“You plan on jumping out of a moving car?” he asked, slowly turning before gunning the engine again. “Where’s the fearless woman from a few moments ago?”
“Stop the car,” I demanded.
His hand moved from the steering wheel and slid over my thigh, squeezing it tightly enough that I understood the hidden words beneath the touch.
My throat felt like it was constricting with each breath. My attraction to his body meant nothing. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to pay back a debt with my body. I shouldn’t be forced to do that, and I never thought he would take part in something so sinister.
I should have known, though.
He was a Guerra, after all.
He pulled the car to a steady halt in an isolated part of the city bordering the warehouse district. The sun began to wane, and long shadows stretched across the ground and the car around us, but I hardly noticed. I noticed only my lungs struggling to take in air and the flashes of memory behind my eyes.
But the moment the car came to a stop, the locks clicked open, and I bolted on instinct. I opened the door and flung myself from the car before he could react. My shaking did nothing to slow me as I sprinted as fast as I could down the alleyway. Where was I going? My vision darkened, and I saw nothing but the blinding memories behind my eyes.
I saw Cameron there. I saw the surprise when I came back to consciousness before he could start his sexual assault on my body. The bruises and blood were everywhere. My pants were gone, and the shirt I wore had been moved up my chest, revealing the most intimate parts of me. But my panties still lay haphazardly on my body.
I peeled my eyes open, trying to forget. Trying to push the memories as far as I could.
His hands were everywhere. His body was a cage. I was too young—too naive—to fight a man like him. We were supposed to be in a relationship, but…God, why was he doing this when he was supposed to love me?
Why was I soweak?
I ran like a bat out of hell. Away from my memories, away from Dante, away from everything.
Last time, I ran to be caught.
This time, I ran to escape. I could figure out everything else later, but I needed to calm my mind. I needed to get out of this panic and reassess.
I stood no chance when fear clutched and held my throat so tightly.
I heard him behind me, but I couldn’t tell how far he stood. I couldn’t place it through my rapid breathing and the tears that leaked down my face.
This felt familiar—too familiar.
