Page 81 of Charger

Panic floods through me and my heart starts beating out of my chest. Scorpion is looking at me with those cold, dead eyes. Eyeing me up like I’m his breakfast. What time is it? Venom is next to him, his arms crossed.

I’m starting to feel extremely weak. I’m not even sure how long I’ve been down here.

He pulls me to a stand, though I feel like my legs may give way. I haven’t stretched them in what seems like forever. The stiff pain in each muscle has me vibrating with fatigue and anxiety.

“We need to get you presentable, darlin’.” Scorpion smirks.

“Presentable for w-what?” My voice sounds like I swallowed gravel.

“For your potential buyer.”

I swear my heart stops. Venom’s head whips in Scorpion’s direction. He moves his arms down at his sides, flexing his bicep muscles.

“Wait, Pres. I thought this was just for show. To warn the Chains.” He turns a little and Scorpion rakes his eyes up and down my body again.

“I changed my mind. She looks like she could be worth a lot of money, and well, I’m willing to sell.”

Oh my God. I’m being used for human trafficking. They’re going to sell me off? Is this real? Everything becomes blurry, and I think I might pass out. The sounds around me are muffled and my chest is so tight I have to gasp for oxygen. I back up until I hit the wall, my palms flat against it. I have to find a way to get out of here. I can’t lose Chloe. She can’t lose me. I try to steady my breathing but it’s pointless. It’s a losing battle. My vision starts to turn grey.

“Hey, you.” Rough hands grip my upper arms. The pain brings me back. “Get your shit together, darling. We can’t have you passin’ out on us.”

“Boss…”

“Shut the fuck up, V. You might be Vice of this club, but don’t forget who runs the show,” Scorpion snarls then pulls me from the wall, dragging me behind him.

My feet are barely able to keep up. I catch eye contact with Venom. His eyes, which I thought couldn’t hold any emotion, may actually look regretful and apologetic. Worried even. But I won’t forget that he was the one who helped bring me here. He helped kidnap me; he took me away from my daughter. So, fuck him and his fake display of empathy.

As soon as we’re upstairs, the warmer air hits my body. I welcome it—the basement was so cold.

At least due to the lack of fluids, I haven’t had to urinate. And I still have what little pride I have left.

With my arm locked in Scorpion’s grip, I’m helpless as he drags me along until he stops in front of the bathroom. “Time to get you cleaned up. Don’t want your potential buyer to see you like this. And what better way to get to know each other.” The evil in his eyes shoots panic through me. I violently shake my head, feeling the tears form. He pulls me close. I hit his chest and he scrapes his cold, dead fingers down my waist. Bile rises from the pit of my stomach.

“No, no, please. I can’t… p-please.”

“Come on, boss.” Venom smiles as he moves closer to us. “Let me handle this. Besides, you don’t wanna sample the merchandise right before it’s sold. They can smell that shit. They’ll know it’s tainted.”

I stop thrashing in his arms, but Scorpion studies me one last time before backing off. Relief crashes down on me.

He points in Venom’s face. “No touching, but make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.” He strides off and Venom’s eyes follow him until he’s gone. He stalks toward me, grabbing my arm and tossing me into the bathroom like a doll. Then he kicks the door shut.

“What are you doing?”

He reaches for the shower nozzle, turning it on. “I just saved you from getting raped, princess. Now undress.” He stands, arms crossed over his muscular chest. Staring. Is he serious?

“So, what? Am I supposed to thank you?”

He snorts out a chuckle. “Do not mistake what I did for any type of kindness. And whatever happens after this, I have no control over it. Now get the fuck undressed and in the damn shower.”

“You’re disgusting and I can’t believe I ever let you touch me.”

Venom’s jaw ticks, and a hint of anger flashes through his eyes. He catches the floor with a look then spins around. “Try anything stupid and I’ll kill you myself.” He whips the bathroom door open then slams it shut.

I run to secure it but of course there’s no lock. There’s no window either. I look around for something, anything, I might be able to use as a weapon. I open the cabinet door under the sink. Nothing. It’s bare. The only things in here are the shampoo package and bar of soap. I can’t exactly hurt anyone with those.

I grip the cabinet knobs in frustration and let my body sink to the floor. Is this it? Am I really going to be sold off? Visions of Chloe enter my mind.

Come on, Zach. I need you.

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