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The hand holding my head down disappears seconds before I’m lifted up and carried out of the van. He slings me over his shoulder as he strides toward our destination, the bouncing from his steps sending spears of agony through my head. I taste the metallic tinge of blood as my teeth sink into my cheek to keep from crying out.
We must enter a building as the dirt ground below us changes to concrete slabs. The man continues his agonizing pace until coming to a sudden halt. I hear a light rapping sound on wood and someone calls out, “Come in.” My head is fuzzy from the blood pooling but something familiar about the voice tugs at my mind. The movement starts again and a small moan escapes my lips before I can stop it. Ignoring my pain, the man deposits me onto a metal chair, fastening the dangling ropes to more metal hooks secured to the ground below. He pulls the ropes tight enough that my back has to arch to alleviate the pressure, causing my breasts to be fully on display.
I glare daggers at the man until he steps aside and Vanessa fills my vision again. Striding toward me, her eyes roam again and narrow on my chest. She stops in front of me and reaches out. I bare my teeth at her, venom pouring from my eyes. Ignoring me, she grabs the zipper of my jacket and tears it down, revealing the thin black tank top I’m wearing underneath.
I’m wearing the same outfit Mick had laid out for me the first night we went to his kill room together. I had been so proud and excited dressing in it. I even opted to go without underwear again, so sure we would be celebrating a victory. Now my stomach sours as I realize there is even less protection between me and these perverted monsters.
Vanessa eyes me again and steps back, holding her hand out to the large man next to her. “Thank you, Ronaldo.” She purrs when he hands over a small flick knife. She opens the blade and grasps the top of my tank, pulling the material away from my skin and slicing through until it falls to the side along my jacket. Closing the knife, her eyes light as she takes in my exposed breasts, only protected now by the lace bra. She gives herself a nod and pulls out her phone. Pressing it to her ear, she speaks too softly for my frazzled brain to comprehend. She ends the call quickly and slides the phone back into her pocket. “Stay here with her and make sure she doesn’t try anything.” Vanessa strides out of the room, leaving me alone with the brute.
My stomach rolls again. Ronaldo’s gaze drags over my exposed skin, lingering on my breasts. The uneasiness grows as he slowly licks his lips and takes half a step forward. Before I can say or do anything, the door slams open. He jumps back, straightening his posture and masking his expression. I have a small moment of relief until my vision settles on the newcomer.
Striding into the room without a care in the world, Detective Kristoph Lary appraises my body before his eyes land on mine. He freezes in place, shock shrouding his expression, no doubt reflecting the same as mine. He blinks several times before a smile creeps onto his face. A shudder runs down my spine as he begins to speak.
“Hello Miss Greene. I’m surprised to see you here but can’t say I’m unhappy.” He drops his eyes to my breasts and drags them back up, one eyebrow raised. “I see what he was so enamored with.” I’m about to ask who when the distant sound of gunfire fills the space. Annoyed by the interruption, Kristoph turns to Ronaldo. Glowering, he snaps, “Go check that out.” When Ronaldo hesitates, Kristoph curses and shouts, “Now!” At the command, the large man whirls on his heels and sprints out of the room.
Taking a moment to compose himself, Kristoph turns and shuts the door. My heart races as I watch him slide a metal bolt across and lock us inside the small room. “Sorry for the disruption, Miss Greene. I can assure you that I take this business quite seriously and will ensure your safety, at least until you have been procured for the right price.” His eyes twinkle from some hidden joke.
I fight back the bile rising in my throat, trying to focus on how I’m going to get out of this. My mind is a twisted mess and offers no help. The only thing I’m sure of is that I need to keep him talking. I have the sickening feeling that once he’s done with me, I will disappear and even Mick won’t be able to find me.
Racking my brain, I grasp for something, anything, to say. A thought pushes past the tangles, a reminder of something he said earlier. “Who were you talking about?” Part of me doesn’t want to know the answer but the misgiving that there’s another unknown connection to this world in my life pushes for me to find out anyway.
“Hmm?” He ponders my question, glancing back at the door as the shots quiet. “Oh, that. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to tell you now. You will find out soon enough anyway.” Kristoph opens his mouth to continue when something heavy rams into the door, rattling the lock. He whirls around, hopping back from the entrance. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a gun and takes aim at the door.
I quietly tug on the ropes, finding they won’t budge. Taking in a deep breath, I fight against the panic building in my chest. I don’t know what’s happening out there but this is my best chance of getting free from these psychopaths.
Think Paige, what can you use? There’s gotta be something…
I tug against the rope again and smile when I feel something prick the skin of my wrist.
They didn’t find the syringe I had stuffed into my jacket sleeve when I felt the hands yanking me off my feet.
Keeping an eye on Kristoph, I work the needle down until it’s grasped in my hand. I work it into the knot, hoping it will hold up against the rope. My previous attempts at prayer have all failed so I don’t aim my silent pleas toward anyone. Instead, I call out to the new violence inside of me, willing it to overtake my fear.
The pounding on the door persists and I can see the strain on the small lock. Knowing I don’t have much time, I plead again.
Please let this work.
Continuing to shove the needle into the rope, I pull as far as my bound wrists allow, repeating the process over and over. I stifle my cry of victory and frustration as the knot loosens a fraction.
Yes, yes, yes!I chant in my head.
A shout of pain stops my hands.
I know that voice.
The familiar wave of rage crashes over me, a shift happening as the need for vengeance courses through my body.
No one hurts what’s mine. No one.
I attack the binds with a new fervor. The rope loosens and I yank my hands free. Leaning forward, I quickly remove the ties around my ankles. A shriek of fury erupts from my chest as the door flies open and Kristoph raises his gun, aiming at the man who was once my source of torture but has quickly become my guide to freedom. I lunge forward as the sound of a gunshot rings in the small room.
Chapter 26
Mick
I pull into the tree line bordering the industrial building they drove her to. I can hear my blood pounding through my veins as every cell demands payment for what they have done.
I knew it was a bad idea to go after that horrid excuse for a woman but I couldn't say no to Paige.
