“Matt?” I can hear he’s groggy. “What time is it?”
“It’s time to get moving, Reed. The shit’s going down.” There’s an edge of urgency to my voice that I don’t bother hiding. He needs to know this is serious.
“What’s going on?” I hear sounds in the background as if he’s getting up and moving. I pray he’s dressing in a hurry.
“My guys spotted Whitlock’s men pulling a woman into one of his limos.” I take a breath, realizing my hand is shaking when I reach up to rub my forehead. “It was Andrea Carter, Reed. They took her to his place in town.”
“Right. I’m calling my team in.” He pauses, then continues, “Don’t do anything too hasty, Matt.”
“Sure.”
“I mean it. Keep it together, okay? We have to do this by the book; otherwise, this fucker will get off.”
“I understand, Reed. This isn’t my first rodeo.” I work to keep impatience from coloring my words.
“Yes. But this one is different. You know that.”
I don’t respond because he’s right. My heart’s on the line. Andy’s life…
“Just…just get this thing moving, okay? We don’t have time.” Already, the adrenaline is making my skin tingle. I can hear Reed saying something that sounds reassuring, but the words aren’t sinking in. I snatch up the keys to my Lincoln from the table at the entrance to my apartment and yank the door open.
Jesus, I hope we’re not too late.
Chapter 10
Andy Carter
Dear God, my head!
I suck in a breath and exhale it on a groan. There’s a pain behind my eyes that sets my teeth on edge. My mind feels foggy; I’m clutching at stray tendrils of thoughts that make no sense.
What the fuck happened?
The drink… He drugged me.Fuck!Why didn’t I anticipate that? I’m such an idiot! I try to reach a hand to my head, hoping to rub away some of the pain, but I can’t. I can’t move. My eyes snap open, only to squeeze shut as the light blinds me. I tug at my wrist and feel something resisting there. I’m strapped down.
Oh my God! He’s tied me up!
I force my eyes open and stare straight up at a reflection of myself, bound spread-eagle to a huge dark surface. There’s a mirror directly over me. I’ve been stripped down to my underwear, and I can see heavy cuffs on my wrists and ankles.
No! Please…no!
My image in the reflection shows me how futile my struggles are. I’m firmly secured, the cuffs attached to thick lengths of chain. I twist my head frantically, trying to understand where I am. A room – bare except for the mattress I’ve been strapped to. As my eyes adjust, I realize the lighting is as blinding as I’d imagined – no doubt I’m sensitive thanks to whatever he gave me.
The walls are dark, lit by light sconces that shine up onto pictures that take me a while to identify, but when I do, I fight back the urge to gag. Naked women, bound and in various states of sexual torment, stare back at me mutely. From the looks of it, some were in this very room when the photos were taken.
“Mark!” I choke out, even though I know it’s pointless calling him. What am I expecting? That he’ll release me?
“Hello, darling. What do you think of my artwork?” The voice comes from the foot of the bed, and I struggle to lift my head. I can see him seated in a chair just beyond my bound feet.
“Mark, what are you doing? What’s going on?” I tug at the cuffs, though I know it’s a waste of time.
“I thought that would be obvious by now, wouldn’t you?” He smirks at me.
“No, it’s not! I don’t understand…” I shake my head, trying to clear it. The effects of the drug have left me dazed. I’m struggling to focus.
“Revenge, Andrea.” Mark’s eyes narrow on me. Then he runs them down my body, lingering over where my thighs are spread wide before glancing back up to lock them with mine. “I’m taking revenge.”
The irony would be funny if it weren’t for the terror I’m feeling.
