“Yeah, so?”
“So, what’s going to happen now? You said he’s a bad guy and you seemed afraid of him to the point of escaping through a bedroom window to get away.”
Wondering what he was getting at, Lisa steered him away from Kane and changed the subject.
“Look, what can I say? The guy’s an ass-kissing monster and the men he hangs around with are the scum of the earth.”
Lance’s shock made her back off with the wild talk. “Don’t pay any attention to me. It’s just my disappointment at finding out my dad’s a loser who couldn’t care less about me. I’ll get over it.”
Not able to watch the sympathy suddenly appearing on his face, she snuck a look at the other table near the back and could see that the men were slowing down, a few even had their heads in their arms on the table.
Lance leaned back in a relaxed pose, and using a gentle voice, he asked, “So, what’re your plans now?”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.” Being cagey, Lisa didn’t want to let him know her immediate plans included returning to Kane’s house for her phone.
“You going to get in touch with your father again in the morning?”
“I never want to see that bastard again. He might be my biological parent on a DNA form, but he’ll never be a relative in the true sense of the word.”
Soured by the whole sad situation, she scanned the joint and saw it had quieted down to where only a few tables remained, with most of the noise coming from the one with the few still-partying men trying to outdrink the others.
Some folks were in clinches on the dancefloor, while others were sleeping at their places. Smells of spilled beer mixed in with the vaping and weed customers who were openly smoking had given Lisa a worse headache than the one that started after her dive.
“I need to use the ladies for a few minutes, Lance. I’ll take another pill and add more ointment.” She put her hand over her middle to make it look good and added, “My stomach’s on fire.” Then, she picked up her jacket with the bag from the Mini Mart in the pocket and slung it over her shoulder.
Making good on her words to Lance, she did stop in the bathroom and wash her face with cold water straight from the tap. Then she opened the door and saw that the hallway also led to another exit. Great! I can escape without him seeing me.
Just as she headed into the dark of the night, rounding the corner for the sidewalk, she noticed a figure slumped on a garbage can. As soon as he made out who she was, he lurched to his feet and grabbed her in a hold she couldn’t shake off. Just then Gordie joined them. “Whatcha got there, Ham?”
“I still think she’s Kane’s girlfriend.”
“So, she’s cheating on him with Buddy back there in the bar?”
“Yeah. She’s a cheating slut.”
“I am not.” Fear muddling her intelligence, Lisa reacted without thinking. “I don’t even know your friend.” She still struggled, but as drunk as the man was, his strong fingers gripped her with no give.
Gordie looked at Ham and grinned. “Then it’s our lucky day. Let’s take her in the car and have us some fun.” He helped Ham control her by taking her other arm and twisting it behind her back. Frog-marching her to the vehicle, he opened the passenger door behind the driver and thrust her into the backseat. Before she could get out on the other side, Ham crowded in that door and pinned her down.
Lord Jesus, these idiots intended on making her go with them. She had to do something. Fighting with all her strength, she managed to clip Hamster in the chin and then pushed at Gordie until he fell backward. Thrusting herself out the now open door, she felt herself manhandled from behind and forced to stay inside the car. It was the punch to her jaw that shut out the lights, and she knew no more.