Page 15 of Hero's Heart

“Ladies, please. Let’s not fight.”

Sloane looked toward the door, realizing that she’d been so focused on her sister that she hadn’t heard the door open or seen the two men stepping inside. Neither of them was as slick or as handsome as Pierre—Marissa wouldn’t have given the time of day to either of them.

Pierre had obviously been just bait in the trap.

“Glad to see you’re awake,” the first one said. He was slightly taller than the second man and obviously the person in charge. “I worried you were having a reaction to the drugs.”

“Would it have mattered if I was?”

He tilted his head. “Honestly, no.”

He looked her over, then moved on to Marissa, obviously assessing them. Sloane could tell by the pinch of his lips that he wasn’t terribly impressed. They were simply a means to an end.

Human cattle. Disposable.

She didn’t want to think about that too intently, or the panic would well up again. Instead, she looked at the second man and immediately wished she hadn’t.

He was shorter than his partner, younger by at least half a decade, but something about their faces and the way they moved said they were related. But where the taller was all strong movements and confidence, this one looked terrifyingly blank and evil.

He was leering at her. Wherever he looked, it was as if she could feel his slimy touch—on the curve of her thighs and where her chest heaved under the barely there dress. Even clothed, she felt naked under his gaze.

He licked his lips, laughing when she shuddered.

“You better let me go, or my father will come after you. You don’t know who you’re dealing with,” Marissa snapped, tipping her chin toward the ceiling.

It was a haughty pose Sloane had seen time and time again. But for God’s sake, what was Marissa doing? Could she not see how much danger they were actually in?

They needed to be docile and silent, not goading. Going along with whatever plans these men had, and biding their time for possible escape, was the only way they were going to survive.

Leader man stepped forward. “My name is Jakob, and this is my brother, Nikola. We’re going to take care of you while you’re with us.”

Marissa scoffed. “Take care of us? You fucking kidnapped us!”

Shut up, Marissa.

“We abducted you, yes, but as long as you listen to our instructions, you’ll leave here alive and unharmed.”

“Liar,” Marissa seethed.

Jakob ignored her outburst, his focus steady on Sloane. “You’ll have food, water, and access to a bathroom. We aren’t monsters, despite what you may think.”

Nikola let out a disturbing chuckle, his eyes once again wandering all over Sloane. “And this time, I’m in charge.”

“So you are, brother. Your first undertaking.” Jakob slapped Nikola on the back. “Soon, we’ll be able to do twice the operations.”

Jakob’s phone chirped in his pocket. He smiled at them. “Here’s my go-between to your father now. Let’s see if we can work out some sort of deal.”

He quickly took a couple of pictures of Marissa and then Sloane. “Now we determine how much your father is willing to pay to have his precious daughters returned.”

“Or not returned,” Nikola said with a sneer, staring at Sloane.

“Nikola,” his brother chided.

Nikola didn’t know how close to the truth he probably was. Sloane wasn’t sure her father would pay a dime for her.

“I’ll be back momentarily.” Jakob slapped Nikola on the back again. “Brother, I trust you will take care of our guests while I step out for a moment?”

He walked out the door, answering his phone as he left, switching to French. Maybe he was talking to Pierre.

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