Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“You’ll see,” Kelsie said with a defeated shrug that sent a dagger into Brenna’s heart.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-two.” She snorted. “I’m not a young, stupid kid if that’s what you think. I’ve seen and done shit. I had to grow up young. Always thought I was tough, but this…”
Twenty-two. Jesus.
“Listen to me, Kelsie. Look at me.” The young woman’s gaze met Brenna’s. “I want you to do something for me, okay?”
She nodded.
“Don’t give up yet. I know you’ve been here longer and have been through unspeakable things.” She swallowed and tried to push the fear of those very things out of her mind. They’d take over if she let them in, and she’d be as dejected as Kelsie. At the very least, one of them needed to keep their spirits up somewhat. “But I need you to stay positive with me for a little bit, okay? I won’t lie to you. If I truly think it’s hopeless, I’ll tell you. But I’m not there yet, so please, give me some time, okay?”
As Kelsie stared at her, Brenna could see the doubt weighing on her and the tiny spark of hope. She wanted to cling to the idea of rescue or escape, but the fear of such a devastating disappointment had an unbreakable grip on her.
“Have you heard of the Hell’s Handlers?” She asked in a low whisper. If there was a camera or listening device somewhere in the room, she didn’t want to give anyone a heads-up of what lay in store. And she knew the Handlers were coming and would rain hell down on these bastards.
Kelsie gasped. “I have. Are they part of this?”
“No!” Brenna shook her head. “Not just no, but hell fucking no. They will burn this place to the ground when they discover what’s happening. Trust me when I say retribution will be epic.”
“But how…”
“I’m…” What was she? Dating? Seeing? Fucking? “… in love with one of them. He will tear the world apart until he finds me. And the entire club will back him. I believe that with my whole heart.”
“Holy shit,” Kelsie whispered on a breath. “They’re so badass.”
Despite their grim circumstances, Brenna chuckled. “That they are. So don’t give up yet, okay? They’re coming, and I will not leave here without you. I promise.”
“O-okay,” Kelsie said, nodding. The information seemed to breathe life into her. She straightened and scrubbed a hand over her face. “They’ve come for me twice since I’ve been here. It’s hard to know when or how much time between, but I think it was night both times.”
“Okay, keep going.” She scooted back to her spot on the wall next to Kelsie, taking her hand to provide at least a modicum of support.
“Um, we made a left out of here and walked down a long, dark hallway. We passed some other doors like ours, so maybe we aren’t the only ones here.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. Um, they led me to a shower.” She chuckled, but it was sad and heavy. “I was excited at first. You get dirty after a few days on this floor and using that damn bucket.”
“So you showered, and then what?” She didn’t want to rush the younger woman, but Brenna had no idea when they’d come for her and wanted to be as prepared as possible.
“Um, they made me dry my hair, put on makeup and a dress. All the stuff was there for me to use. No one watched me, but this huge guy stood outside the door and made it clear I was supposed to move fast. I was so scared, I did exactly what he said.”
“What did they have you wear?”
Kelsie’s face screwed up. “Not much… lingerie basically. This frilly pink thing. I threw up when I saw it. That’s when I knew what was happening, or at least that it would be bad. Really bad.”
Brenna closed her eyes and swallowed. “W-what happened next?” The fear stayed ever-present, but she focused on Kelsie to keep it from eating her alive from the inside out.
“We went upstairs. I think we were somewhere in the club. In Stray, I mean. A private area or something. I was by myself, but I don’t think I was the only one, um, for sale. I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Anyway, there was a big mirror. I think the men were behind it, staring at me. I felt so exposed. I tried to cover myself, but the big guard smacked me.”
Wincing, Brenna lifted a hand to her cheek. “I know firsthand how that feels.”
“Yeah. Someone spoke through overhead speakers, and then men started bidding on me. I burst into tears and got another hit from the guard. That one made me fall, which seemed to… excite a lot of the men. The bidding went crazy.”
“Shit.” She’d left that part out of the story the first time she’d told it. “I’m sorry, Kelsie.”