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When I got in the car, I quickly asked, “Are you all right? I promise I won’t hurt you. I didn’t know anything about this. I’m so sorry…”

The girl burst into tears.

Chapter Three

Cara

“Please, please let me go,” I cried. “I won’t tell anybody, I won’t go to the police, I swear, just please, please let me leave.”

The man, who was, admittedly, very good-looking—I noticed even in my state of shock—looked at me kindly, and for a moment, I thought I had a chance at getting out of this mess unscathed.

And with my virginity intact.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said calmly. “Not just yet, anyway.”

“If you rape me, I’ll kill myself!” I shouted hysterically. I tried to open the car door to run, but it was locked. Anyway, I was sure the other men were nearby, and I wouldn’t have gotten far. Trying to escape was futile.

“I won’t lay a finger on you,” the man said soothingly. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re stunning. But I didn’t know anything about this, and I would never, ever do something like this.”

I barely registered the compliment as I demanded, “Then why can’t you let me go? I swear I won’t say a word, I promise, just, just please, please…” I sobbed.

“James and his men will be watching us. If I upset him by rejecting his gift, he will be very offended. And trust me, that won’t be good for either of us,” he said darkly. “So here’s what we need to do. I’m going to take you back to my place, at least until I can figure out what to do so that we both get out of this alive.”

“And if I run away?” I threatened.

“I’m not going to stop you, but I can guarantee you that we are being followed and watched, and James will have you killed.”

“What are you going to do to me?” I asked softly.

“Nothing, I told you, I’m not like James or those men. I think it’s absolutely disgusting what he’s done to you. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable until I can figure out how to get you home safely. I won’t touch you, I swear,” he said, giving the scout’s honor sign with his hand.

He handed me a water bottle and some tissue from the backseat, then started the car.

“I’m William, by the way,” he said. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Cara,” I admitted reluctantly. I didn’t want this man to know anything about me.

“How did James... find you, anyway?” he asked tentatively.

“My piece of shit father,” I said angrily. “He’s a drunk, a gambler, a thief, and a jerk. My parents are divorced, and I hardly ever see him, which is fine with me. He’s a pig. And he… hesoldme…” I burst into tears again. I just couldn’t believe it.

I told him about everything—being taken from my dad’s house, tied up and blindfolded in the SUV, the creepy doctor visit, the IUD. How the men had given me the clothes and makeup I was wearing and taken me to a hotel, where I met James. I watched the man’s profile as I told him my story; he grimaced, looked shocked, and angry at all the appropriate points. So maybe he was telling the truth; maybe he was a good guy after all.

When I was done, he said softly, “You’ve been through a lot. You must be so scared. But I promise I won’t let anything happen to you, and I’ll figure out how to get you home safely. Okay?”

I didn’t trust him yet, not by a longshot, but I said, “Okay.”

We pulled into an apartment complex, and William steered into a parking spot in a covered garage. The black SUV, which had been following us the whole time, didn’t enter the garage but had parked outside of the building. He hesitated before reminding me, “I’m not trying to intimidate you, but just remember that James and his men are watching, so… I won’t stop you, but I wouldn’t try to run if I were you.”

I nodded grimly.

We got out of the car—he was nice enough to open my door for me—and he led into a fancy lobby. The doorman gave us a curious look as we entered the elevator, where William pressed the button to the top floor.

To my surprise, the elevator opened directly into his apartment, which was massive. It had tall ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows everywhere. The furnishings were sparse and modern, but the place was undeniably gorgeous. And very, very expensive-looking.

“Now,” said William, clapping his hands together, looking uncomfortable. “What can we do to make you feel better while you’re here? Are you hungry?”

Chapter Four

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