There was nothing I could do about that now. So instead I focused on my current predicament.
 
 Staring at it wouldn’t make the gown any bigger, so I did the best I could to make a dress out of one by tucking the paper under my arms to cover my breasts and pulled the other gown over my shoulders.
 
 A sneeze, a cough, one wrong move, and the gown would be ripped to shreds, but all I could do now was hope for the best.
 
 Hard to believe that something as ordinary as a drink with my bestie had ended up like this.
 
 And then an even worse though struck.
 
 “Where’s my friend?” I asked, forgetting my own problems for a moment.
 
 I tried to be firm but knew I sounded worried and nervous, and the man didn’t miss it.
 
 He chuckled, the sound low in his throat and brimming with menace.
 
 “Do you think you’re in a position to ask questions?” His voice was calm, but I knew he was intimidating me.
 
 But I also refused to cower, not when Molly’s safety was at stake.
 
 “Where is she?” I repeated.
 
 “If you behave yourself, I might tell you,” he finally responded, his lips ticked up in a smile that filled me with dread.
 
 He’d turned to face me and his eyes hadn’t left mine. The moment extended, became too much, and I looked down but forced myself to look up and meet his eyes again.
 
 “You can’t just—” I started but then cut off quickly.
 
 He hadn’t spoken, but the way he stood, his body radiating annoyance killed my words before they could leave my mouth.
 
 “What can’t I do, belissima?” he asked.
 
 A simple question, but one that only underscored my situation.
 
 The answer was plain and simple.
 
 Undeniable.
 
 Nothing.
 
 There was nothing he couldn’t do.
 
 He was in control, and I was utterly powerless.
 
 I’d thought I understood that before, but the reality of that truth hit me again as he stared at me.
 
 He was still bare-chested, and I couldn’t help but notice he looked completely at ease.
 
 This was just another day’s work for him.
 
 Not one of the most terrifying and disorienting experiences of his life.
 
 And I would be foolish to pretend that I was anything but completely at his mercy.
 
 I knew that, and I watched him as he waited for me to accept it.
 
 His curt little nod told me he saw the exact moment that I did.
 
 “Any other questions?” he said.