Page 74 of Nova

''Please,'' I plead again. ''Let me go.'' I try jerking away from Leon's grasp; only he's too strong.

''You're not going anywhere. First, I'm going to deal with your little mistake. Then I'm going to work on bringing you to heal. It's time you face the fact you belong to me now, Promise.''

''You're crazy. When Cain finds me, he's going to kill you.'' This time when I speak, my tone is steady and confident.

Leon tugs on my hair again, making me wince. ''Repeat his name and you will suffer the consequences.'' He lets me go and makes his way back across the room. Just as he reaches the door, he turns back. ''We can do things the easy way or the hard way. I'll give you some time to decide.''

Hours have passed, and I'm still alone in the room, cuffed to the bed, my bladder on the verge of exploding. I spent an hour trying to wiggle free of the handcuffs with no avail. All I managed to do was rub the skin around my wrist raw, to the point, it's starting to bleed.

Cain has to know by now I'm missing. I'm sure London suspected something was wrong as soon as she got back to the office. I should have taken Leon's advances over the last few months more seriously.

At first, I thought it was harmless. Creepy, but nothing to be concerned about. I knew from representing him he was a dangerous man, but I never expected he would go as far as to kidnap me. Cain said if Leon were a smart man, he would heed his warning to stay away. Leon has proven he is not very smart. Men like Velasco think they're untouchable.

The problem with thinking you are untouchable is you underestimate certain people. In Leon's case, he underestimated Cain and The Kings.

The click of the lock on the bedroom door causes me to tense. Leon's earlier threat has me sick with fear and on high alert. But it is not Leon who enters the room. It is the man who tasered and kidnapped me. He doesn't speak as he advances toward the bed. I squirm and hug my body as close to the headboard as possible. ''What are you going to do?''

'The man doesn't speak as he reaches into his pocket, producing a key. When he grabs my arm, I begin to struggle. ''Don't touch me.''

The guy's vice-like grip tightens. ''Stop,'' he spits as he uncuffs me from the bed.

''Let's go.'' The man tugs on the end of the cuffs, and I have no choice but to climb off the bed and follow him. He leads me to the other side of the room to the bathroom. Walking inside, he stops next to the toilet, and he jerks his chin. ''Go.''

Mortification sets in as I realize he expects me to pee in front of him.He can't be serious.

''I don't need a babysitter.''

''You either squat and piss now or hold it until morning. Your choice but I'm not waitin' all day for you to make it. I have better things to do than deal with Leon's latest whore. Now fuckin' go.''

''Can you at least turn around?''

When the guy doesn't answer and continues to stare at me, I decide I have to swallow my embarrassment. Or rather, my bladder decides for me.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I wiggle my pants, along with my underwear down my thighs. I try not to flash the asshole in front of me. By the hungry look on his face and the way he licks his lips, I'd say he's enjoying the view.

''I think I'm going to ask the boss if I can have a little taste. He's had no problems sharing his whores in the past.''

The guy's vile comments make my skin crawl. I do my best to ignore him as I finish my business. Once I'm done, he tugs me back over to the bed where he cuffs me to the headboard once again. ''Be a good little whore.'' He gets one last dig in before he exits the room, locking it behind him.

More time passes, and soon I'm no longer able to fight off the sleep that is hell bent on taking me. My last thoughts before darkness takes over are of Cain as I send up a silent prayer hoping he finds me.

Sometime later, I'm jarred awake by the bedroom door bursting open. Leon walks in stone-faced with his lackey trailing behind. ''It's time, Promise.''

For some reason, those three words out of Leon's mouth sends a chill down my spine. He and his goon advance in my direction. My eyes dart between him and Leon. ''What's going on? What are you doing?'' I start to panic as Leon's goon grabs hold of me and presses my body into the bed. ''Get the hell off me!'' I start flailing and kicking my legs.

''This is for the best, Promise. We can't start our new life with you carrying that scum's baby,'' Leon sneers as he stands back in the shadows.

''You can't do this! You can't take my baby! Please! Please don't do this!'' I continue to struggle. My attempts to free myself get me nowhere. And I'm proven right when another zap of liquid heat takes over my body, and I'm forced into darkness once again.

The next time I wake, my body is freezing. My eyes flutter open, and I note I'm no longer in the bedroom. My vision is blurry, and the only thing I can make out are the concrete walls that surround me. I blink my eyes several more times, but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to focus.I'm cold. Why am I so cold?

''Relax. This will all be over soon.''

I blink my eyes again and try to focus on where that voice is coming from. ''What's happening?'' I try lifting my arm to my face, but it feels like lead. Twisting my neck, I look down at my arm to see an IV in it.Oh, God! My baby!

''Please,'' my words slur. ''Don't take my baby.''

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