“Black room, babe,” she calls over her shoulder after cracking a man with a whip once more.
I leave them and stroll down the hall to the room only the depraved clients visit. As I knock and wait, I check my messages.
My mom has been bugging me about Christmas, and I don't know what to tell her yet.
I really want Shina and the kids to come with me, but is it too soon? I mean this week things have changed drastically between us, but I still don't know where we stand.
I knock again and put my phone away. “Baby girl? We have an issue,” I call through the wood.
I wait another minute before trying the knob, finding it unlocked. I peek my head in and then shove the door open.
“Shina, baby, are you okay?” I shout as I reach her. She's lying on the floor, face down, unconscious.
I check her neck and pulse. It's steady. Thank God. But what the fuck happened here? I look around, but we seem to be all alone.
Or so I thought.
I shake her gently and dig in my pocket for my phone again.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” a man's voice says, as I feel the sharp tip of something dig into my spine.
I pause and slowly turn my head.
I don't recognize him, but I can instantly tell this man is unhinged and on something.
His pupils are blown and he keeps licking his lips.
“Stand, slowly,” he orders.
“What do you want with her?” I grunt, wincing, as he slams the butt of his blade into the back of my skull.
“Did I say you could talk?” he shouts, then starts to laugh.
It's deep and menacing.
I have met my share of psychopaths before, but he seems different.
I stand and rub the back of my head. My fingertips become wet, and I know I have a nasty gash.
“So this is what you traded me in for, huh, slut?” he growls, then kicks Shina in the side.
She whimpers, and I see red.
Taking him by surprise, I clock him right in the temple with a right hook.
He stumbles, dropping his weapon beside Shina as he tries to regain his footing.
I don't hesitate, ignoring the dizziness and pain in my head, I rush him, hitting his middle section with my shoulder and flipping him over me.
“Fuck,” he grunts as he hits the floor hard.
I grab some rope off the wall, land beside him, and restrain his wrists. Then I move back to Shina, checking her over.
“Baby girl, hey, wake up.”
She mumbles something, and her eyes flutter open. She winces and closes them again.
“No, keep your eyes on me, baby.”
