But before I can say anything else, the handle turns, and the door opens once more.
The feeling in the room turns bad instantly because these are not the guards from before. Five men walk in who look mean and hungry like wolves let off a leash. The tallest one looks me up and down in a slow and gross way, while a shorter man smiles at Tessa making my skin crawl.
"Boss left you two all alone?" the short one tsks as he stands in front of the door to block our way out. "That is not very nice of him."
I back toward the chair with my heart pounding against my ribs like a hammer as the men begin to circle us like hunters cornering a trapped animal.
"We just thought you ladies might be lonely," the tall one says with a fake sweetness as he steps too close to me. "We figured we would keep you company."
Tessa crosses her arms tight over her chest. "We are fine. You can leave now."
That makes them laugh, the sound ugly filling the small room and making the air feel heavy.
"Feisty," one of them says while eyeing Tessa like she is a piece of meat. "I like that."
Another one leans against the wall and looks at me. "You know, you are really pretty. That red hair... I bet it looks even better spread out on a pillow."
He trails off and grins, his face makes me want to hurl. "Don't," I say with my voice shaking.
He grins wider. "Don't what? I am just making conversation."
Tessa glares at him. "No, you are being a creep. There is a difference."
The tall one laughs and steps even closer to invade our personal space until I can smell the old cigarettes on his breath. "A creep? Come on, sweetheart. We are just trying to be friendly."
"Friendly would be leaving us alone," Tessa spits out, but her bravery only seems to make them more excited.
"Where is the fun in that?" another one says as he moves to stand behind our chairs. I feel my skin crawl because I can feel his body heat right against my back, which makes it hard to breathe.
The short man crouches down in front of Tessa and looks up at her with a disgusting smile.
"You know, you have a smart mouth," he says. "I wonder what else that mouth can do."
Tessa's face twists in disgust. "Get away from me."
He laughs. "See? Feisty. I told you guys."
The one behind me puts his hand on the back of my chair so his rough fingers brush my shoulder, and I flinch violently. "Relax," he says, his voice low and oily. "We are not going to hurt you. We just want to have a little fun. You girls look so tense. We can help with that."
"We don't want your help," I whisper with my throat tight with fear.
"Sure you do," the tall one says. He reaches out and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, and his fingers stay on my skin long enough to make my stomach turn. I pull away from his touch like he burned me.
"Don't touch me," I whimper.
"Why not?" he asks and leans in closer. "You are going to be here a while. We might as well make the most of it. Boss isn't coming back for hours, and we have all the time in the world."
Tessa stands up suddenly, and her chair scrapes loud against the floor. "Get away from us."
The short one stands too and blocks her path. "Where are you going? We are just getting started."
"I said get away," Tessa repeats, louder.
"Or what?" he asks as he steps closer. "What are you going to do?" The one behind me grabs my shoulder hard. I try to stand, but he shoves me back down into the chair.
"Sit," he orders. My breath catches in my throat, and fear claws at my chest to make it hard to think.
The tall one looks at his friends and grins. "I think it's time we stop being so polite. What do you guys think?"
