“Name. Just your first name. No one has any intention of becoming acquainted with anything but your body.” The demand came from another man, his irritation evident by the terseness in his tone.
The social media post on TikTok had promised big money modeling, the only clue I’d found in my sister’s things. I’d followed the trail, applying online after asking a friend to take several provocative pictures of me.
I’d applied on a whim after being stonewalled by the Miami police department. That had been after the Jacksonville police had all but closed the missing person’s case on my sister. Andwhy? Because my sister wasn’t a good girl, unworthy of wasting valuable resources on. The words spouted off by the detective burned in my mind. I’d even overheard one bastard in uniform laughing about her.
As if two misdemeanors when she was fifteen years old meant she was a horrible person not worth finding.
I’d told the bastards about the link and my suspicions, but as I’d expected, they hadn’t cared. So here I was. And I was determined to bring down the monsters by myself if necessary. I threw my head over my shoulder, ignoring the blinding light as I shifted my gaze from where I believed one man sat sprawled out to another.
“Reese.” All fire and brimstone.
“Alright, Reese. Turn in a full circle.” The first man who’d snapped at me had returned giving directions.
I did as he asked.
“Slower.”
My nerves were shot. I hadn’t slept in two days, hiding in a seedy motel room while mentally preparing. I’d been given no directions as to what I could expect. I’d chosen a simple red dress, a loaner from a friend of mine.
After finishing the task, I had no idea what they were doing. I couldn’t see any movement and they weren’t talking. They were just watching. Seconds ticked by.
At least two minutes.
My heart was racing, butterflies churning in my knotted stomach. What in the hell were they waiting for?
“Undress.” The commanding man and his voice left a furrowing thought in my mind that he was the one in charge. Not the first guy who’d called for me. Not that it mattered. In my mind, they were all equally evil.
My expression had obviously changed from the shock bearing down on me, becoming harder. Nastier.
Somehow, I sensed when one of the bastards was prepared to blow me off. “Wait. I’ll do it.” You bet there was disdain in my voice. That was my personality, even though I was usually forced to hide my true feelings given my profession.
I’d practiced pushing my mind to a whimsical location, protecting myself to endure rounds of humiliation. Now I was no longer certain I could fake it as long as necessary. But I had to try. As I untied the sash on my wraparound dress, I reminded myself for the tenth time why I was humiliating myself. When the dress was pooled around my heels, I stood defiantly.
“Turn.”
This time I didn’t hesitate, even managing to put a little sway in my hips. I’d splurged and purchased a sexy lace bra and matching thong in bright crimson, using it as a prop and a costume. To boost my ability to pretend.
Even if I’d never paraded around in such skimpy attire before in my life. Suddenly, I wasn’t the junior high school teacher any longer. I was a model.
Another full minute went by.
“All of it,” the command came and I think the third guy in the room had finally opened his mouth.
My stomach lurched. The bastards wanted me to remove my panties and bra.Just breathe and do it. Think about Briana.This was just a sick game to repulsive men who believed women were nothing but objects. At least the anger forming inside allowed me a moment of courage. I did what they asked, fighting the girl inside, the one who believed in princes and heroes, with white picket fences and happily-ever-afters to keep from running out the door.
Just like Briana had believed in.
Now I fought tears and hatred, shame and disgust, no longer able to feel my toes.
Even before they asked, I turned. Once my back was to them, I allowed a single tear to fall. Not one more. They wouldn’t beat me. They would not break my spirit or my resolve. Fuck them. The moment I turned to face them I managed a fake smile.
“Step forward.”
Now the man sounded bored. I just didn’t care.
I did as they asked, hating my reaction, the goosebumps appearing on my skin.
“Nice stock,” the one with the gruff voice said.
