Page 258 of Unexpected Hero

I’m naked. Completely naked.

Instinctively, my hands attempt to cover my nudity, but since they’re tied, the movement only makes me hiss in pain.

Panic, unlike anything I’ve ever felt, overcomes me, threatening to choke the life out of me.“Hello?” I whisper. “Is anyone awake in here?”

No movement or response.

Who chained us up? What do they want? Where are we?

Question after question assaults my still foggy mind.

Whoever they are, the fact we’re chained like cattle and naked paints a gruesome picture of what they intend to do with us.

Tears flood my eyes, and my chest shakes. My face contorts under the strain of holding back my sobs. I don’t want anyone to hear me. Before I can rein in the tide of sorrow, I let a few drops fall.

Crying isn’t going to help or get me out of here.

I need clear, rational thoughts if I’m going to protect myself.

With my eyes closed, I tug in a few breaths to bring some steadiness.

The floorboards creak as heavy footsteps pound outside the door. They get louder with each step. Someone is coming.

My hands clench into tight fists, and I give one more tug on the ropes, hoping I can get free to defend myself. No luck.

I swallow my fear back, slamming my eyes shut when the doorknob jostles as someone enters the room.

Stay still, Lettie. Pretend to be asleep. They won’t mess with you if you’re asleep.

As if my own conscience doesn’t believe the bullshit I’m feeding it, I snark back internally. Oh yeah? Then how did you lose your clothes?

Whoever entered doesn’t speak. But their footsteps creep slowly around the room. My body tenses when they get close, but I don’t flinch. I’m playing possum like it’ll save my life.

Naked possum.

Another set of footsteps enters the room. Heavy breaths accompany the newcomer.

Crippling fear blankets my torso, its weight nearly crushing me.

“Is anyone awake?” a chilling voice asks, making my skin crawl.

The footsteps move away from me, heading toward the other side of the room.

Another man responds in a language I don’t understand. The accent unearths a sudden memory from last night. Or tonight. Or whenever that was.

The guys in the bar. They had that accent.

They must have drugged me.

Why didn’t I leave with Freya and Vanessa?

Vanessa. Oh no. I bet she was also drugged. That’s why she got sloppy that fast.

But Freya got her out safely. Unlike me.Because I was stupid and naive.

This is all my fault. All of it.

Stella’s warnings ring across my memory. She always said I was too trusting. Vulnerable. She was right. I did need someone to look after me.

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