“Bring you here.”
“And not touch me,” I remind him. “My wrists… they hurt.”
“I can’t untie you.”
“It’s not like I can go anywhere. My legs are still tied. Please.”
“I said no.”
“How about some food?” I beg.
“I don’t have anything here.”
“You could get something. You have an hour.”
“I’m not supposed to leave.”
I take a deep breath. I need to think. My vision starts to clear; it’s dark, but I can see the man in front of me. He’s maybe in his forties—an unkempt beard covers most of his face. I try to take in as much information as I can—about him, about where I am, about what happened.
“Where did you find me?”
“You don’t remember? That filthy place. The club.”
“How did you manage that? You must be… highly skilled, for people not to notice… you taking someone.”
“Nah. People looked away. You were passed out, they thought I was helping you.”
“What did you put in my drink?”
“Something to tire you out. It should be wearing off soon.”
He walks closer, and I say, “Please, I need to use the bathroom.”
“Can’t do anything about that.”
I can see lights outside. This looks like a warehouse. I can’t see the walls properly. I look at my feet. The floor is kind of wet—something leaked. Something reeks. And my purse is nowhere to be seen.
I decide to take another shot. I yell for help.
The man comes closer. “I’ll shut you up if you scream again.”
I yell again.
He’s angry, he slaps me in the face. “The next one will hurt,” he says, even though I’m pretty sure he’s already left a mark on me.
“You are not supposed to hurt me,” I remind him.
“He’ll understand if you don’t cooperate.”
I let myself calm down, my face burning where his hands hit me with force.
I don’t speak again for a while, I wait until my vision clears.Whatever they gave me is gone now, and I feel every bit of the pain in my wrists, legs, and face.
I need a plan.Someone will notice I’m gone. Akira will know. I look around—she isn’t here. I feel a flicker of relief. Hoyt knows we were at the club. Maybe he called me. No, it’s late. He probably hasn’t.
“I’ll pay you,” I tell the man. “Whatever he offered you, I’ll double it.”
He laughs. “It does sound like a good offer, but he’ll find me. He’s not the type you mess with.”
