Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 52178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
“This is where you could perform, all over the country. I can make you a star.”
If it were any other situation, I would be completely on board.
But he captured me, and other girls, and is keeping us in cages.
That hardly sounds like a fun time.
“You are keeping me in a cage,” I bite out, shaking my head. “You are treating women like they’re animals, and you want me to jump up and down with excitement over this ‘opportunity’ you are giving me? Did you ever stop and consider coming up to me like a normal person, and asking me if I wanted to be part of your little show?”
“Don’t be foolish, Ellie Mae. You and I both know you have a career and wouldn’t even consider leaving it all.”
“How would you know?” I challenge.
He steps closer to me, causing me to catch my breath and hold it. “You’re engaged, you have a prominent family, and an impressive career.”
He’s right, I do have all of that.
Yet I’m wildly unhappy.
“And you assume I want all of those things.”
His eyes flash, but I can see I’ve caught him off guard. So confident that he knew my situation, and now I’ll have him second guessing himself.
“Then it should be no problem for you to dance for me.”
“I won’t be dancing for you,” I grind out. “Because you’re a fucking monster.”
He takes a menacing step toward me, but I don’t flinch. “Go on, hit me, abuse me, do whatever you want but I’m certain you don’t want to mark my perfect little dancer’s body that you want so bad.”
He bares his teeth like a feral animal. “You assume I need to hurt you to get what I want. That fiancé of yours is easy pickings for a man like me.”
My heart skips a beat, but I don’t show him even a slight amount of fear.
“Go right ahead. I’ll never give you what you want.”
“I am impressed by the fact that you think I won’t do it, but I can assure you, Ellie Mae, that I can make your family’s life a living hell.”
I lean closer now. “I’m certain you can, that doesn’t change my stance. I’m not dancing.”
“Oh, you’ll dance. I’ll make sure of it.”
Stepping back, he waves a hand, and as if out of nowhere, some men walk into the room followed by a group of girls. They get right to work, beginning a range of impressive routines. They still maintain that drugged look, and it shocks me that they’re able to do anything in that state.
“What the hell are you giving them?” I gasp, watching as they move.
“They’re drug addicts, off the streets. I give them what they want when they do as I ask.”
“You’re a horrible person,” I say, shaking my head. “A fucking pure demon.”
“Thank you.”
I turn to face him. “Who fucked you up?”
His expression doesn’t change.
“Someone must have done something truly horrible to you in your life for you to be this cruel. So go on, tell me. Was it your dad? Did he beat you? Or was it your mother?”
He doesn’t know I notice it, but there is a slight flinch when I say mother. Oh, so he has a traumatic past. That doesn’t surprise me. A man like this isn’t produced from kindness and love, he is produced from hate. I wish I could say I feel bad for him, but I don’t. He has a choice to do better, and he’s instead choosing to be cruel. I’ll never understand that.
“You’re pushing my limits, and you’ll see what I’m truly capable of if you don’t take a step down.”
“Show me, I can’t wait to see even more of your deranged mind,” I snap.
“Very well.”
Waving that hand again, he calls a bulky man over who is equally as terrifying as he is. Stopping in front of me, the man doesn’t even glance in my direction as he waits for his orders. Like a trained dog. Marek glances at me once more, then orders the man, “String her up.”
String?
What?
Before I can process, the man turns to me and reaches out to grab hold. I take a step back, but I’m not quick enough. Marek captures me around the waist, hauling me against his hard chest as the other man gathers some ropes. Then, he’s tying them to my legs. I kick and squirm, but there is nothing I can do to stop him. Marek’s warm breath against my ear brushes my skin as he murmurs, “Enjoy the show.”
Then, I’m being hauled out of his arms and slung into the air.
It happens so quickly, my mind spins and my vision blurs as I flail aimlessly through the air by my feet. Swinging from side to side, I let out a high-pitched scream as I go higher and higher, upside down, fear gripping my chest. I’m not a fan of heights, and as I open my eyes, my worst fear is realized. I’m hanging from the middle of the tent by my feet, dangling so high that if this rope broke, I would die in a split second as I crashed to the ground.