“I love it.” She hugged her hand against her chest in a fist.
He laughed and spun her around for a deeper kiss.
“Angel wants me at the track with the first group. The British Racing Network wants to talk to him, so he needs to finish with me early. You’ll be fine to come with Catarina a little later?” She found it sweet that he checked with her for signs of unease.
“Of course,” she said. There’d been no further incidents with Spencer for two months and he should be busy in Australia as it was his home race, which meant extensive media coverage. There would likely be extra interviews, time with extended family and friends, as well as publicity events. She hadn’t seen him since their arrival, which was what she preferred.
Anna and Isaac went downstairs together, and he kissed her quick, heading for the shuttle sitting at the curb out front. At the door, he spun and called back, “See you soon.” Neither of them could stop grinning about their engagement. She felt giddy and couldn’t wait to give a play-by-play of the walk for Catarina.
As she turned, Vince, also on his way outside, stopped with a friendly smile. “I’m glad you said yes.”
After returning his smile, she said, “You knew?” It didn’t surprise her he’d been in Isaac’s confidence. She looked down at her stunning ring, still not used to seeing its sparkle on her hand.
“Welcome to the family.” Vince surprised her by stepping forward to kiss her on either cheek. She’d never been that close to him before and was touched by his genuine display of affection. A few months ago, that would have been impossible.
“Thank you,” she said, feeling emotional at his inclusion.
He checked his watch. “I need to go, but I’d love to host an engagement party when we get home. See you at the track.Enjoy your breakfast with Catarina.” He jogged out the door and caught the shuttle just before its departure.
How did he know she was meeting Catarina? Maybe they talked away from the track more than she’d thought. Interesting. She’d have to ask Catarina. Maybe he’d seemed more content the last couple of months for a reason.
Anna strolled to the restaurant and poked her head inside. Half a dozen umbrella girls sat together at a large table on one side of the room. Nobody she was comfortable hanging out with. The professional models had their cliques. She, Catarina, and a couple of others were not included. Several younger riders, mostly in Moto2, sat in groups of two and three. No Catarina.
Anna reached for her phone to text her friend, but her phone wasn’t in her back pocket. She must have left it upstairs in the room. She sighed. It would feel weird to be without her phone all day and she decided to run upstairs to retrieve it since Catarina wasn’t here yet. She would be quick.
Hurrying into the elevator, she rushed upstairs to the ninth floor and collected her phone from the desk where it had charged overnight. She glanced at the screen before she returned to the elevator.
Catarina had sent a message fifteen minutes earlier.“Running late. Down at 8:25.”
That was in two minutes. Just enough time to return downstairs. In the elevator, Anna tapped her foot when it slowed and stopped on the fifth floor instead of the main level. She didn’t want Catarina to have to wait. When the doors opened, to her dismay, Spencer stepped inside. He blocked her exit and tapped the button to close the doors. Heart pounding, she moved to the far side of the elevator as it descended. Her mouth dry, she stared straight ahead. Maybe he’d get the message that his presence was unwanted.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the American girlfriend.” He said it the way Vince had said it at a press conference months ago, as though she were repulsive. “Don’t worry, Honey. I have no interest in you anymore.”
She raised her chin and didn’t answer. Without looking, she spun her grandmother’s ring. She’d tried so hard to avoid being alone with him. At least the ride would be over soon and she could escape. She would be safe in the lobby with the milling action and other people.
The elevator slowed, stopping on the third floor, and she breathed a sigh of relief. When the doors slid open, she expected another hotel guest to enter—someone to keep Spencer from doing something more than talking. Instead, the hallway was empty. Spencer lunged toward her and yanked her out of the elevator before she understood what was happening. He must have pushed the button for this stop, and she hadn’t noticed.
“What the hell?” She tried to get away, but he twisted her arm behind her painfully. With his other hand, he covered her mouth while he propelled her forward, forcing her down the empty hallway. Behind them, the elevator doors closed, and it resumed its descent.
The third floor was the fitness level, the pool wasn’t open yet at this hour, and most of the hotel was filled with MotoGP riders and their teams. Most would be downstairs at breakfast or already at the track. With Isaac and Vince both already gone, only Catarina would wonder where she’d gone. There was no one to hear her scream.
They were alone and Spencer could make good on his threats without fear of interruption.
Her phone buzzed. Probably Catarina. One-handed, she tried to answer, to give a shout of distress, but her phone fell from her hand with a thud, landing on the carpeted floor, and Spencer kicked it in the opposite direction. Her eyes flooded with tears.She struggled to free herself but only succeeded in causing sharp pains to shoot up her arm and into her shoulder. Once they turned the corner, Spencer released her mouth, and in one quick motion, scooped her over his shoulder. He wrapped a heavy arm around her thigh. His touch made her stomach churn.
“Let me go. What are you doing?” She kicked and flailed, trying to get loose, hoping someone else would appear. She’d welcome anyone, even if this was an embarrassing position.
“Stop moving, bitch.” He smacked her ass hard enough to sting. “We’re going someplace to talk where we won’t be interrupted.”
She didn’t believe he only wanted to talk.
Fear constricted the blood to her brain, and thinking became difficult. All she wanted to do was run. The taste of bile filled her mouth. “I have nothing to say.” She kept struggling, but he was too strong, and he continued to hold her in an awkward position. “Let me down.” She pounded on his back as hard as she could, but he didn’t seem affected. He was one of the bigger riders, and she couldn’t escape.
Her hopes plummeted. She hadn’t answered Catarina’s text. Her friend might wait a while before worrying and searching. Tears filled Anna’s eyes as she continued to squirm, trying to free herself—to no avail.
Spencer carried her into the family change room and did a quick check, still carrying her over his shoulder while she continued to holler and pound. Maybe someone on staff would be around. The hall remained empty, and they were alone in the private room. The click of the door lock echoed.
Giving her another sharp smack, he released her and shoved her as her feet hit the tiled floor. She fell to her knees, banging them hard enough she winced. Scrambling to her feet, she tried to get past him to unlock the door. He lunged and got a vise-like grip on her left arm.
