They drag me back through the window, and I land on my back on top of a rock-hard body. The other man drags me to my feet and wraps his meaty arms around me like a boa constrictor. I struggle to breathe as his grip tightens even more, and my head is pounding as the blood pumps viciously through my veins.No! This is not how it’s going to end!
I kick back with my heel, meeting his shin, but his grip doesn’t waver. He stumbles with both of us, knocking over my coffee table. He loosens his grip in his stumble, and it’s enough to pull free from his grasp. I run down the hall toward my bedroom, knocking items off shelves and pushing over chairs as I go. My only thought is survival. I need to get away from them.
I slam the door shut, locking it, and look around. There’s nowhere for me to go. My breathing is so shallow; I’m afraid I’m going to pass out. Grayson! I need to call the police. Would they get here in time? Have any of my neighbors called because they heard the struggle or my scream? I look for my phone, but it’s not with me.
Shit!It’s on the overturned coffee table in the living room. I’m a sitting duck. I look out the window. It’s not that far of a drop, but far enough I’d get badly injured, then I wouldn’t even be able to fight them.
The door swings open with such force it slams into the wall behind it, and both men rush toward me. One knocks me down on the bed and pins me under his weight. I struggle and buck against him, trying to get a small amount of space between our bodies.
“Get off me!” I scream, continuing to fight. I know it’s futile. He’s stronger and bigger than me. My arms are pinned to my sides as he pulls me to a standing position. The second man approaches me, a smug smile on his face, his eyes shining with glee.
“I really liked you the best. Happy you can join our family. Now,” he shoves a gag in my mouth and sticks a piece of duct tape over it, holding it in place, “be a good girl, and stop fighting.”
I shake my head and scream through the gag, fighting back with every ounce of effort I have. Someone in this damn building has to have heard something. It’s only a matter of time until someone comes and saves me.
I kick my leg up and connect with his knee.Yes!He backhands me so hard my head spins, and black spots form in front of my eyes.
“Fucking bitch! Do it again, and I promise I’ll sell you to the most horrible person I can find. There’ll be a bidding war for you as it is. It won’t be hard. The blondes always go for more. What’s the saying? Blondes have more fun?” He chuckles. It’s dark and sinister as I try to swallow past the lump in my throat.
His humorless words freeze me in my tracks. I feel a pinch and look down as he injects something into my arm. I relax almost immediately. It’s a strange out of body experience. I can see and feel everything that’s happening to me, but I don’t have the muscle strength to stop it. My head rolls to the side, and the man in front of me holds my face between his hands as I stare into his dark, soulless green eyes.
“I’m going to have a lot of fun with you. Better buckle up, baby, you’re in for a long ride.”
I’m scooped up and carried out of my apartment as my head rests against a firm chest. I blink, fighting the urge to be pulled under. I hear cars and people in the distance, but I can’t distinguish anything. It’s all blurring together.Someone, please help me.
Finally, I’m too tired to fight. I close my eyes, willing this nightmare to go away.
Grayson
“Where the hell are they?” I look at the information Finley gave me regarding the drop. We’re at the right address at the right time.Thinking of Finley, why hasn’t she texted me yet?I look at my phone—full service. She should have messaged me by now. She must have forgotten when she got to my house.
Me:Forget to let me know when you arrive?
“Hey, looks like there’s some movement over there.” Amelia points in the direction of the tracks.
“Fucking finally! They’re only an hour late.” I drag my hands down my face and take a deep breath. Normally, I love doing shit like this, but tonight my mind is elsewhere. I want to get out of here and check in on Finley.
Amelia and I get out of the car. We’re hidden where we parked. We shut the doors as quietly as we can and move toward the gathering. We just need to catch them in the act of trading, and we can get out of here.
A nondescript van pulls up. Two men get out and approach the other three men standing by an empty train car. We’re too far away to hear what they are saying, but it seems to be an argument of sorts. Someone must not be happy about an agreed upon price, or must be trying to gyp the others.
“Is everyone in place?” I ask, talking quietly into the walkie talkie.
“Roger, ready to go when we get the signal.”
“Now, just open the damn back of the van,” I mutter to myself. “I want to get these girls back home, where they belong.”
The van doors open, and one of the guys hops in the back. He comes back out and starts screaming at the driver. I inch closer to get ears on what they are saying but still can’t make anything out. They slam the doors to the van, and all the men get into their respective vehicles, each going their separate ways.
“It’s a set-up. They knew we were here.” I can’t believe I was stupid enough to think the information I got was accurate. “Fuck!” I slam my hand on the brick wall next to me and spin to look at my team.
I see the other undercover officers step out into the street—scowls and anger painting their expressions. Either we got bad information from the get go, or someone knew Finley was going to give that information to me. Either way, I have to get to her. Now.
I push my fingers through my hair as my muscles tighten in my shoulders. “Shaw, I gotta get to Finley. She hasn’t responded to my text, and if this was a set-up, they might be after her.”
“Let me drop you off at the station, and you can get your truck. I’m sure she’s fine. She probably fell asleep and hasn’t seen your message.”
I hope to God she’s right.
