Page 49 of Ruthless Angel

“Since you’ve proven yourself to be a runner, I’ll have to tie your hands and feet for the ride. Also, I don’t want you to be able to tell anyone how to find the house.” He held up a black cloth bag in one hand. “Be a good girl and play along.”

I held myself back from telling him off. He wasn’t worth it. Instead, I sat there refusing to speak or make eye contact as he zip tied my hands behind my back.

He didn’t do my feet until we were outside in the van. He and Pete accompanied me along with another man. I thought they called him Derek. Brady and Derek sat in the back with me while Pete drove. I couldn’t wait to get away from these pieces of human garbage.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Brady said when we arrived at our destination. “Got nothing to say?”

He pulled the hood off my head, allowing the light to stream in. I blinked several times as my eyes adjusted.

“Not to you,” I said, scowling when he grabbed my arm to pull me from the vehicle.

The sun had set, plunging the city in darkness. We seemed to be back in Wolfwood. Outside a swanky hotel. The kind of place only celebrities and rich people could afford.

“Once you’re long gone with your buyer, I’m going to use your phone to send a few pictures of you I’ve been taking to your boys. They are going to love it.” The grin that lit up Brady’s face filled me with loathing. He held up my phone, waving it in my face. He’d been smart enough to turn it off.

“They’ll find you,” I said with utter confidence. “And they will kill you. They’ll find me too. You don’t know them like I do. They won’t give up until there’s nothing left of you but bones.”

For the slightest moment, Brady’s smile faltered. He recovered fast. “They can try. I hope it eats them alive to know you belong to someone that isn’t them. Let’s go. It’s almost time.”

The three men surrounded me while Brady dragged me along. He’d been forced to take the zip ties off my ankles so I could walk. Only when we were inside the building did he remove those around my wrists.

We entered through a back door that led into what seemed to be a staff only hallway. From there we descended a set of wide stairs into a basement that looked like it had been made for private parties and special conferences.

A large lobby area branched off into various halls that were marked A, B, and C. Brady dragged me to an unmarked door next to hall A. He used a key to open the door. Once we were inside, I saw why it had been locked. The room was filled with people that were here for the same reason as me. To be sold.

Most of them were younger women. A handful were young men. They were all seated along a bench against the wall, waiting their turn. Nobody spoke.

Other men like Brady stood at various points around the room, making sure their victims didn’t try to run or fight. Theroom felt small and tight, the atmosphere thick with tension and fear.

A door on the opposite side of the room opened as a man entered, grabbed the arm of the girl on the end of the bench, and left with her in tow. Brady shoved me toward the bench.

“Take a seat, Clover. It won’t be too long now.”

I sat stiffly on the bench next to a girl who visibly trembled. Her hair had been tied into pigtails to make her appear younger. Gross. She stared down at her feet, her chest heaving as she hyperventilated.

My gaze traveled around the room. Brady stood close, his hand on the gun in his hoodie pocket. I doubted he was the only one carrying a weapon.

As time passed, the door continued to open, and people continued to leave. None of them returned. Soon there were only two people in front of me. Then it was my turn.

Brady grabbed my arm, guiding me through the door. “I guess this is the end of the road for us. I almost wish I could keep you for myself. You’re just not worth the risk. Have a nice life, Clover. I know I will once I get paid for your fine ass.”

Helping himself to a handful of my ass to emphasize his claim, he shoved me forward. I was thrust directly into a room filled with people. The man who’d been fetching people pushed me up a few stairs onto a small stage in the center. Rows of chairs were lined up all around the stage. There were a few women in the crowd. Most of them were men.

Someone began speaking, opening up the bidding. My mouth went dry, my body shaking in fright. This was it. One of these sick monsters was going to buy me, like an object.

My gaze darted frantically about, searching for a way to escape. Every exit was blocked by men holding guns. Hands raised in the crowd as people indicated an interest in me. Myhead began to spin. I expected to pass out and drop in front of everyone.

That’s when my eyes landed on a familiar man in the crowd. I had to do a double take when he raised his hand to make a bid. Was that Desmond Monroe? Raina’s father?

My eyes filled with tears of relief. I furiously blinked them away, not wanting to dissolve into a blubbering mess with so many watching. He had to be here for me. To take me away from here. I was saved.

That had to mean the Angels found out I would be here. They’d gone to Raina. I would be safe now.

Or so I hoped. The more Desmond raised his hand to bid, the more another man across the room did as well. The two of them fell into a bidding war, going back-and-forth.

I held my breath, afraid of coming so close to freedom only to have it snatched away. Desmond didn’t give up. He pushed on every time the other man raised the bid. My heart pounded in my ears so loud I barely followed along.

Finally, the winning bid was credited to Desmond. My legs gave out, and I collapsed on the stage. A man rushed forward, grabbing me by the hair, dragging me to my feet.

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