“Guards are roaming the property,” Fran chimed in. “I saw them when I got out of the van. They didn’t drug me like they did you.”
I had a feeling I knew why. I was happy she hadn’t kicked and screamed. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have seen the guards. But Fran was a fighter.
Eve gripped the bars. “Josh dumped you in the cage last night. You’ve been here for about fifteen hours or so, if that helps.”
The dark-haired girl in the cage beside Fran pulled down the long sleeves of her shirt and covered her hands. “They all have guns on them.”
“Grace knows how to use a gun, Laura,” Fran announced.
“Listen to me, all of you.” I rolled back my shoulders. “They probably have more than guns. But don’t let that scare you. I need you to obey them for now. Help is coming.”Don’t give them false hope.But I had to do something to instill courage in them. “I have a family member who’s a detective. I also have three scary brothers, and Fran’s dad can be just as lethal as my brothers. All of them will tear up every city in this state to find Fran and me.”
I had to believe my own words. I had to believe Brian would never give up. I had to believe my brothers wouldn’t either.
“Fran, I’m in love with your dad.”
I felt she needed to hear that. She needed something to latch on to, something happy. I did as well. No way was anyone going to take my future with Brian away from me. I was through being a victim.
“I knew it.” Her smile never reached her eyes, which was understandable given the circumstances.
“I will do everything I can to get us out of here. Tell me you believe me.” Again, I needed to fire her up. I needed the strength I knew she possessed.
I couldn’t stand by and wait to be rescued. They might never be able to find us. And I had promised myself if I was ever in this situation again, I would fight to the death.
“I believe you,” Fran said. “Is my dad okay? Sabine coaxed me into the van, telling me that he was in a bad car accident. At first, I panicked. Then I got into the van and knew she was lying. I hate myself. My dad taught me to be aware, untrusting of people.” With trembling fingers, she curled hair around her ear. “And Ryan? He went to the bathroom, and I didn’t see him after that.”
“Your dad is fine. I don’t know about Ryan.”
“I hope he isn’t part of all this,” Fran mumbled.
For Ryan’s sake, I hoped so too. Otherwise, Brian would rip that boy’s limbs to shreds.
I felt sick knowing that Fran had been part of Josh’s plan all along because of me.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and the rustling sound of girls moving in their cages followed by their collective intake of breath echoed through the barn.
Then dead silence—the kind that came before something terrible happened.
Footsteps drew near. “Ladies, it’s showtime for one of you.”
I could hear the laugh in his voice.
“It’s Harris,” Eve bit out. “I want to slice off his dick.”
“Eve, I heard that,” Harris said, excitement in his voice. “But why would you want to cut off my big cock? You love it.”
The tall, lanky man, who couldn’t be older than twenty, stepped into view. His beady eyes were cold, predatory as he smirked at Eve. “You and I will go a few rounds later for that comment.” Then he turned to me, evil pouring off him in waves. “So, you’re the one Josh is chomping at the bit to have. You’re not all that fuckworthy. But tonight is not abouttheGrace Hart. Tonight”—he grabbed his groin—“is about my little obsession.” He stabbed his thumb in Fran’s direction then pivoted on his heel.
“Hey, asshole,” I barked. “Where’s your bitch of a mother? I want to meet her.”
She had to be a deplorable woman to allow young girls to be sold and raped. I wanted to lock her in a cage and let her experience every horror she enabled—the helplessness, the terror, the searing physical pain, and the deep, venomous trauma that had made me pray for death. Maybe then she would understand what it meant to be a young girl sold like cattle.
Harris stiffened, his back muscles tightening through the Henley he was wearing. Then he grabbed Fran.
She kicked and screamed, glancing at me for help.
I stood up straight, held my head high, and blew out a breath, hoping she got my message to stand tall and breathe. The more she fought, the worse off she would be.
She gave in to Harris, her chest rising.
