Page 14 of Bound By Longing

He brings me to the bar and instructs me to sit down. I stare at the bartender, hoping he’ll see the fear in my eyes, but he doesn’t glance at me once. He’s too busy pouring drinks for a group of women.

Vladimir keeps checking his watch, becoming more irritated by the second.

Finally, a man approaches Vladimir, and Vladimir stands up straighter as if expecting the man.

“Sergio,” Vladimir says, shaking the man’s hand. “I have something of value for you.” He nods at me.

Instantly, I know what this is. Vladimir wants to sell me just like Gleb did. I’ve only ever been used as a pawn in these dark men’s games.

I don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel any time soon.

Sergio looks me over. “She’s cute, all right. But I deal in guns.”

“I know. But I thought you might know someone who deals in … more than guns.”

“Why do you want to be rid of her?” Sergio eyes me over, making me grimace. “She’s hot and fuckable. What’s the problem?”

“I don’t need a woman. What I need is more money. She’s proved she’s useless to me. Can’t even clean the floor properly. Might as well get some use out of her.”

I need to run. Now.

I slide off the stool without either man noticing.

Then I turn the other way and run.

“Shit,” Vladimir says. “Stop her!”

It’s hard making fast progress through the tight crowd, but I manage to lose Vladimir in the process. I keep moving farther and farther into the club. If I hide long enough, he can’t find me, and I can make my escape.

I see stairs at the back of the club, and I don’t hesitate to run up them. Once I’m on the second floor, I’m confronted by a VIP lounge. Two men—bouncers—stand guard, whereas a group of men and women mingle on couches, sipping drinks and smoking.

“I need help,” I say to the bouncers. “Please.”

One shakes his head and replies in Russian.

“Do you not understand me?” I ask. “I need help!” Glancing behind me, I see Vladimir is closing in on me. He’s coming up the stairs. “Please!”

When the bouncers shake their heads again, I turn down the hallway and sprint as fast as I can. I don’t make it far before I run right into someone.

“Oof.” I stumble back and look up.

It’s Damien.

He smirks when he sees me. “Oh, not so lost after all, are you?”

I don’t trust this man. I don’t know what he wants with me. Why did he show up on my birthday?

But he’s a familiar face, and that’s all I have right now.

I grab his arms, and he smiles wider. “Help me. Please.”

“With what?”

“I was kidnapped. Please. I just want to go home.”

He stares down at me for a moment before looking behind me. “So, I’m assuming you’re the man who took Mila.”

Turning around, I see Vladimir has caught up to me. Sergio is nowhere to be seen. I’m a bad investment, I guess.

---