Page 261 of Unexpected Hero

My words trail off as it hits me that I might never see him again.

And even if I do, I’ll be so disgusting he won’t want me anymore.

Damaged goods.

Broken.

No. No, Lettie, no. You are not going to be broken. You won’t be damaged or unlovable.

Fuck that.

I’ll fight. I’ll get free. And somehow, I’ll find my way back to him.

Even if I am in Russia or Siberia or anywhere else, nothing will stop me from making it back to him.

He’s probably looking for me. Freya must know that I never made it home by now.

“Sorry, Ana,” Sabrina whispers, snapping my focus away from James. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Sometimes, I forget that some men know what consent is. I’m a little jaded.”

“It’s okay. I just miss him.Don’t apologize. None of this is your fault.”

She chuckles, deep and dark. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Pretty sure it’s my fault I’m here… naked, tied up, and about to piss myself.”

“No, it’s not,” I insist. “Why would you think that?”

“Because I tried to stab my uncle. I think he sold me off after that.”

My eyes bulge. “What?”

Tina echoes, “Yeah, seriously. What?”

“Some scary-looking dudes came over. I heard them talking to my uncle in the driveway and watched from my bedroom window. They gave him something. I assume it was money or something to knock me out. Probably both.”

“Like a needle or something?” Tina asks.

“No, I think he put something in my food or drink. During dinner, I started getting tired, seeing trails, and I was loopy as hell. I remember laughing at everything. Then I fell asleep. Right there at the table. Woke up here.” Sabrina looks at me. “What about you, Ana?”

“I was at a dance club with my two friends. Later in the evening, there was a singing contest, and I entered. One of the girls was really drunk, or so I thought. Now I think she was drugged.” I shake myhead, trying to dispel the guilt clogging my mind. “I told my other friend to drive her home. I started messaging my boyfriend and was about to ask him to come get me. But I never got that far. I remember sitting at the bar, finishing my soda, when these two guys started talking to me. I don’t remember much after that.”

“They roofied you. Sick fucks.” She looks at the other girl. “What about you, Tina? How did they get you?”

“A boy from school. I’ve had a crush on him for a few weeks. He finally asked me on a date. I was so excited. He gave me a drink on the way to the movie theater.” She sniffles. “And then I woke up here.”

Anger fills my veins, pushing out all the blood and replacing it with vitriol and rage. “Tina, when we get out of here, we’re going to find that boy and kick him in the balls. Again and again until he chokes on them. After that, we’re going for the head. Bring a baseball bat.”

Sabrina laughs again, dark and low like before. “That’s cute that you think we’re getting out.”

Footsteps come stomping down the hall.

Tina instantly returns to uncontrollable panic. “Oh no. They’re coming.”

My entire body tenses, making myfull bladder ache even more. I mash my thighs together, hoping to hold it.

A red-haired man swings the door open, causing us all to gasp and flinch away from the door.

Another man comes in behind him. “Who’s ready for fun?”

Russian accent. Broken English.I recognize him instantly. He’s the creepy guy from the club. The short one.

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