“Where is Kyle?” Letty complains as she dries her arms. “Do you think those fools that were banging on the door are gone?”
“Lazy boy is probably playing with his dick,” Earl snarls. “He was way too interested in the girl. I wouldn’t mind fucking her and giving Kyle a whirl before we harvest her, though. Gotta be careful when we pull their organs. They’ll fetch a really nice price.”
“They’d taste even better though,” Letty says hopefully, but Earl shakes his head.
The doorbell is ringing now and I wonder if there are people who are just really eager to meet their maker today. Earl scoffs and stomps up the stairs annoyed. Letty follows him, once again the meek, nervous housewife.
It’s a façade that she puts up for people and I was stupid enough to believe it.
Once they disappear up the stairs, I yank on the ropes holding my arms and legs down. Turning to Rooke, I make a frustrated sound when I see he’s not moving. “Rooke,” I pant out, forcing back my tears. “Baby, please say something.”
“I’m so sorry, Pay. I hoped if we were together that I could protect you. I can’t do shit,” he says bitterly. “They fucking want to eat us and harvest our organs.”
“Please fight,” I beg, tears streaming down my cheeks. “For me. Can you get out of the ropes? Mine are too tight.”
Rooke pulls and twists his wrists, and I see them start to shift a little.
“Keep going,” I sob, yanking and twisting my wrists. They’re starting to bleed, but I don’t care as long as it means we get out.
I hear Earl roar, and then there’s a gunshot. Gasping, I bite on my tongue to keep myself from screaming. My chest is sawing as if I ran a ton, but it’s the stress of the situation. I thought we’d be safe for a bit while they’re upstairs, but it looks like a new threat is coming into the house.
“Patience!” Cal screams, and I swear my heart is going to explode from how hard it’s racing.
“Did I just imagine that?” I whisper to Rooke. I don’t need to whisper, but I’m worried that my bubble of hope will explode if I talk any louder.
“Cal!” Rooke yells, and I sag in relief. I’m not crazy.
“They’re mine!” Letty yells, and I can hear her running toward the stairs. Rooke and I are sitting ducks. I have no idea what she’ll do if she gets down here.
“Mom!” Kyle screams just as another gunshot fires. Whoever is up there is picking them off, and I’m not sorry about it. Maybe it makes me a bad person, but it’s us or them, and I’m choosing us.
“Cal, we’re in the basement!” I yell, and I can hear lighter footsteps coming. It doesn’t sound like Letty, Earl, or Kyle, but my heart is still in my throat as I hear three more gunshots.
The door to the basement opens slowly, and I start to hyperventilate. I try to twist my body to see who it is, but I can’t see the top of the steps.
“Cal, is that you?” Rooke says hesitantly. The footsteps run down the stairs and Cal’s tearstained face comes closer.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” he says, rushing to the tables. He doesn’t know who to touch first, so his fingers curl in our dirty, blood-stained hair as he kisses our faces. “That bitch Isabella sold you before the main auction. We were there tonight, and Kian beat the shit out of one of the guys to find out who bought you. We should have found you sooner.”
“Stop,” I rasp. “You’re here now. Focus on that, or you’ll go insane.”
Nodding, he pulls a knife from his pocket. His hands tremble slightly as he cuts the rope holding our arms and legs.
“Did you find her?” Kian yells as he comes down the stairs. Nate is with him, and the room swims as I try to sit up. I can’t tell you the last time I ate something or drank anything, and the small window in the basement tells me that it’s night time.
“Take it slow, baby girl,” Nate murmurs, rushing to come help me. “Are you hurt?”
“Bruises,” I grunt. “I think my head may be bleeding. Rooke is worse.”
“I’m okay,” he sighs. “They cut a little too deep in places, and I’m dizzy.” My heart hurts at how nonchalant he is about being tortured for hours. I swear I think Letty was eating strips of his skin as she cut him.
“The guy at the auction said only Patience was sold to these crazy fucks,” Kian says. “I’m sorry for the circumstances, but I’m really fucking glad you’re here, too.”
They’re all so focused on the two of us, and I’m just happy we’ll finally be safe again.
“I was so worried we’d be separated,” Rooke mutters, standing slowly. Cal easily loops his arm around his shoulder, knowing he’ll need the help. I’m glad that he’s getting support after the Hell that we’ve been through. “I wasn’t much help with these three, but I’m really glad you found us.”
I want to remind him not to be so hard on himself, because these have been impossible circumstances, but Cal starts taking control.