Page 51 of Playing For Keeps
This can’t be happening.
Anxiety shoots through me, but the chemicals in my blood make it impossible to flee.
Xander curses as he takes our restraints and leads us out and through the dingy warehouse. It’s both humiliating and terrifying.
He takes us down a dark flight of stairs and into a large, dimmed room. As soon as we enter, bright lights flicker on and shine on us so I can’t see anything. I keep trying to find Xander’s gaze, but he avoids me.
I tremble, realizing this is it. There’s no way out of this disaster.
Mort steps up to us and releases the chain from our wrists. “Show time.”
Xander leaves the room as Mort guides me and Sasha onto a stage where the blinding light shines directly in my eyes. I try to hide my naked body with my arms.
Mort places us in a spot and moves to the side. “I have something special for you today. The red-headed girl is pregnant, so her price has doubled.”
A few male voices grumble, and then an angered female voice snags my attention.
“She’s pregnant?”
I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or if it’s the drugs, but I swear it’s Isabella’s voice. “Isabella?”
“Stop talking,” another female demands.
It must be Hunter’s mother. Maybe they’re here to see the sale through.
I raise my hand to block the light just as a loud crack and wood breaking blast the wall behind me.
Thin plywood flies through the air as uniformed men slam through the barrier. More men rush through the doorway. Chaos ensues as a gun fires and people scurry around the area.
Adrenaline shocks me, and I duck to avoid any bullets. I scream, but a hand goes over my mouth. I’m pulled out of the room by a man in black.
CHAPTER 13
JAMISON
It’s beenthe longest two days of my life, and another one is upon me. I haven’t slept but for a few minutes when my brain literally shut off while I sat on Hunter’s couch waiting to hear back from my security team.
I pick up my phone off the island and check to see if there’s any news. It’s close to noon, so I expected to hear something by now.
Aiden rounds the corner after coming down from the upstairs bedroom, looking as bad as I feel. “Any word?”
I shake my head and stare at the screen. “You?”
“Nothing yet, but that’s not to say they didn’t track the signal. I told you the team isn’t telling me anything for fear I’ll breach their takedown plan.”
I place my phone down and rub my temples. The only good that’s come from this is Hunter, Aiden, and I are working together to find Dori. Nothing like soul-burning dread to bring us together.
Aiden stares at me from across the island. “Where’s Melanie?”
“She’s in the room at the top of the stairs, trying to sleep.”
“Did Jonah leave?”
“Yeah. Hunter’s in the shower, so it’s just you and me.”
He nods but doesn’t say anything. I take it as a sign to keep my mouth shut. Nothing good can come from us trying to work out our shit under this kind of stress.
I spin off the stool and trek to the window. Waiting for information is killing me. The only thing that’s keeping me going is Dori’s bracelet was activated. I know we’re going to find her. I just hope it’s not too late.
