Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Stop this, Marianne!” I pleaded.
She rolled her eyes. “You had your chance.”
The man yanked my hands, tying them up behind me. I lifted my head, butting his face, and he grunted, letting me go. That was all I needed. I rushed for the door, thinking I would make it, except Marianne stuck out her foot, and I fell, hitting my head, my face taking the brunt of the fall.
The last thing I heard was her laughter.
I woke up to the dark. I blinked, wincing, the pain in my head and my face a throbbing beat. I tried to move, but it made me nauseous. Closing my eyes, I took in some deep breaths, confused.
Where was I? What had happened?
My eyes flew open as my last memory hit me. Marianne. A strange man. Rope. Falling.
Other images hit me. A second man. Marianne tossing my apartment, screaming she needed five minutes. The sounds of drawers opening, items being thrown around. Glass breaking.
“Where is it?” she shrieked.
“No more time. We have to go,” one of the men replied.
I felt pain as she kicked me, her high heels pointed and dangerous as more agony radiated through my body. I was lifted like a sack and tossed into a trunk, drifting in and out.
Then I woke up here.
Slowly, inch by inch, I checked my body. I could feel my legs and arms, although they were heavy. I opened my eyes again, carefully lifting my head. The rope was gone from my hands, but one leg was chained to the floor, the heavy links rattling as I moved. It took everything in me to get into a sitting position. I let my head hang to my chest, breathing in the dank smell. The floor beneath me was damp and cold. I felt the walls behind me—they were cement as well. I was in a basement or underground somewhere. Chained up. As my eyes adjusted, I saw a small window set up high, but it was boarded over outside. I could make out the faintest glimmer of light, so I knew it was now daytime. What day or the exact time, I had no idea.
My breathing became erratic, and I forced myself to calm down. I had to figure a way out of here. Out of this.
Except I wasn’t sure exactly what this was.
Only that it was bad.
I swallowed, my throat dry and painful. I felt along my head and face, wincing as my fingers brushed my skin. I tasted the coppery tang of blood in my mouth.
Tears formed in my eyes, and I let them fall.
What did these men want? I lived a simple life. Kidnapping me did them no good. All they would get was a few grand and a mortgaged diner. I had nothing of great value. My investments were small.
Surely Marianne didn’t think holding me here would make me give those to her?
A shiver ran down my spine. Maybe in her mind, she thought I would.
Maybe she was desperate enough to try.
A door opened, and heavy footsteps pounded my way. I pushed myself back against the wall, bracing myself.
A light came on, and I shielded my eyes.
“Well, look who’s awake.”
I didn’t answer.
“Cat got your tongue, baby?” a voice sneered.
I swallowed. There were two of them.
“Where-where is Marianne?” I forced the words from my dry throat.
They laughed. “Long gone.”
“What do you want?”
“Money. Lots of money.”
“I don’t have lots of money.”
“The men your sister sold you to do. They’re paying us lots to keep you here.”
The words crashed over me. I looked up, the two men standing a few feet away. One carried a gun. They both wore dirty hoodies and looked as if they needed a shower. One had claw marks on his face, and he glared at me with hatred.
“W-what?”
“You’ve been sold, baby. Your life as you know it is over.” The one with the claw marks laughed, the sound making me shudder. “And I highly doubt you’re going to enjoy it.”
Sold.
Marianne sold me? As if I were a piece of furniture?
“No, please. Let me go.”
They laughed. “Sorry, we get a big payday once we turn you over.”
“No, you’re making a mistake.”
The one I’d clawed advanced, grabbing my shirt and hauling me to my feet. He was close enough I could smell his putrid breath and unwashed body. I tried not to gag, turning my face. He grinned, pushing closer. “The only mistake is that I don’t get to have a go at you,” he sneered. “But I can check out the merchandise,” he added as he grabbed my breasts, squeezing them hard. I gasped at the pain as he increased his hold. “Get used to it,” he advised. “I have a feeling pain is going to be in your future.” He groped me again, and I sobbed. I managed to push him away, and he slapped me. I dropped to the floor, rolling into a ball as he kicked me.