He does, but only because he thinks he already won.
“Make it quick,” he says.
I scoot toward Lyla, forcing my legs to move even though they feel like they belong to someone else. I lean close to her ear.
“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I want to go.”
She pulls back, blinking like she forgot I was there. “What? Why?”
My eyes flick toward the guy behind me. “I just do.”
She frowns, annoyed, and I feel something crack inside me. Because she doesn’t see it. She doesn’t feel it. She’s in her bubble, and I’m outside it alone.
“You’re being dramatic,” she says, and laughs like it’s cute. “Relax, Vi. Have another drink.”
I can’t.
My hands shake. I lace my fingers together until my knuckles ache.
He steps in behind me, close enough that his breath brushes my hair.
“Time,” he says.
I look at my friend. I want to scream. I want to grab her and drag her out anyway. I want to beg.
But my mouth won’t form the words. Because what do I say?I’m scared.A man is threatening me.He thinks he owns me.
She’ll roll her eyes. She’ll say I’m paranoid. She’ll say it’s flirting.
So I do the only thing I can do.
I lie.
“Okay,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’ll just get some air. I’ll be right back.”
She waves me off like I’m a kid.
My stomach twists.
The guy’s hand clamps around my wrist. Light, controlled, and inescapable.
“We’re going,” he says.
“Okay,” I say, voice too light. “I just need some air. It’s hot in here.”
He studies me.
I can feel the seconds crawling.
Almost thirty minutes.
I look down at my phone again, thumb hovering over the screen like it’s a lifeline.
My heart pounds so hard I can hear it over the music.
The guy tugs my wrist. I stumble, forced to stand. The room tilts a little.
He steps toward the rope. The guard doesn’t even look surprised. Just nods and clears the way.
