“Leo. Rahimi escaped prison. Avie’s in danger. Tell Shadow to find her. She’s in Greenville, Maine,” she said before hanging up. A light shone in the bushes beside her, and she shrank lower. Dogs barked and snapped at her, giving away her location.
She gripped the phone to her chest and kissed it, knowing if she kept it, her captors might chase down her friends and Julio.She couldn’t risk them hurting the people she loved. Digging into the dirt, she buried the phone.
The lights shone in her eyes, and she shielded them with her arm.
The massive man stalked forward, and his fist hit her jaw, sending her reeling. He grabbed her by the scruff of her robe and pulled her close. Her nails dug into his shoulder.
“You’ll pay for this,” he threatened, as he dragged her through the snow. His massive body plowed through the icy fluff, taking her back into the house. She flailed like a rag doll, having no choice in the matter.
Instead of taking her to the room, he dragged her down the hall to the clinic. Placing her on the table, he pulled the chains out to restrain her. Rebecca ran her nails down his face as she jumped down and ran toward the door, jerking the handle. He grabbed her hair and tugged her backward before delivering a slap to her face. Rebecca saw stars as he hit her again and again.
“Stop it, you fool,” Dr. Reese shouted as she directed men to hold him back. Another man picked her up and placed her on the table while his cohorts held her down and chained her.
“Jim, go cool off,” Dr. Reese said, shoving him. “It’s your fault she got away. I told you to treat her with care. Leave my office. She won’t go anywhere from here.”
Jim eyed Rebecca as he left, promising her retribution. Another man moved to the corner of the room as the others filed out.
“It seems you’re determined to cause trouble,” Dr. Reese said as she examined the cut on her cheek and cleaned it.
“You’re despicable,” Rebecca spat. “How can you live with yourself knowing what they do to women?”
Dr. Reese didn’t appear unrattled by her accusation as she pulled on a pair of gloves. “I wanted you to rest before we put you through the exam. It’ll help me determine how long you’llstay here. There’s no use fighting them. They always get their way, and you’ll end up hurt in the end. Since you’re determined, I think you need a little incentive.”
She nodded to the man who stood in the corner, and he stepped out, only to return a few minutes later. He dragged in a little girl with pale blue eyes and blonde curls, who appeared about six years old.
“Now be a good girl and do as I ask, or Teddy here will have some fun.”
“She’s innocent,” Rebecca hissed. “Leave her alone.”
“Teddy will take her right outside while I give you an exam. Our girls must be healthy,” the doctor said. “Do you take any form of birth control?”
“Screw you,” Rebecca spat.
Dr. Reese walked toward the door, intending to hurt the little girl.
“All right,” she shouted. “I’m on the pill.”
The doctor smiled, seeming relieved, as she went to a drawer and pulled out a syringe. Rebecca struggled against the chains, knowing the futility of it.
“Don’t worry, Rebecca. Most of our clients don’t want to breed. They want what all men do: sex. If they change their mind, the shot can be discontinued after three months. I’ll offer you some friendly advice. Be sure to remind them when you’re due for another,” Dr. Reese advised quietly.
She pulled a stool and a tray to the bottom of the table and spread Rebecca’s legs. Rebecca stared at the ceiling as she gritted her teeth as the doctor performed her examination. When she finished, she took the syringe, wiped Rebecca’s arm with alcohol, and gave her the shot.
“See, it’s not as bad as you thought,” Dr. Reese said as she opened a drawer, pulled out a vial, and a syringe. Rebeccawinced as the needle pierced her skin, keeping the child right outside the door in her mind.
“I gave you something to help you relax. They can’t have you running around the property again. It might give the others’ ideas,” Dr. Reese explained. “Trust me, you don’t want to become a problem. They have ways of making you pay that you’ll never recover from.”
The drugs began to take effect as her muscles relaxed. She fought against it, worried about what might happen if she fell asleep. She needed to stay aware of her surroundings. Wishing Julio answered her call, she struggled to keep her eyes open. At least Shadow and Leo would get to Avie and protect her and Deni. Assuring herself she could handle anything as long as she knew she saved their lives, she stopped fighting, letting the medication overtake her. Julio would find her, and they’d save those people in the dungeon.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Julio rubbed his eyes, exhausted from staying up all night worrying about Rebecca. Her partner returned to the FBI headquarters after the police and agency interviewed them. Julio sat in a hotel room attempting to figure out his next move.
His phone rang, and Leo’s name popped up. “Leo,” he answered.
“Rebecca called. Avie Rahimi’s location has been compromised. We’re on our way to her as we speak,” he informed Julio.
“When did she call?” he asked, sliding over his computer.
