“Open the door,” the man holding her demanded. Chris.
Hinges squeaked and he moved into the house, the other man behind him. She kept her eyes closed and her arms limp.
“Take her to the room,” the other man said. “Make sure she’s chained good this time.”
Chris carried her through the house. Her eyes were hot and irritated. She needed to sit upright soon or she’d pass out again. He stopped walking and his hand moved to his pocket. Keys clanked, then he pushed open a door.
They were alone. If she could gain the upper hand and take him out, she could escape through the balcony again. She wouldn’t make it far. She was weak, tired, and hurting all over.
But she wouldn’t get another chance at survival.
He wheezed as he entered the bedroom and flicked on the light. She might have a shot. He was injured. Slow. Her shoulders tensed, but she kept her arms dangling. As soon as he saw her face, he’d know she was awake.
He bent forward, flipping her onto the bed. The second her ass hit the mattress she swung her foot toward his face.
He grasped her ankle and twisted her leg painfully. “What, you want to get smacked around more?”
He leaned toward her and caught her jaw between his thumb and fingers. As he inched closer, his mouth oozed into a slimy smile. He wedged himself between her legs.
Panic launched her forward. She raked her fingernails at his eye. He hissed and clapped his knuckles against her cheek.
Blood filled her mouth. A low ring sounded in her ears. Fingers closed around her neck. She gasped.
“Stop,” a man commanded from the doorway.
Chris’s hand loosened, but he didn’t back away. “Do you know what the bitch did?” he asked through clenched teeth, spit flying.
“She did a number on you two. I’ll give her that. Now back away.”
He let go of her and took two steps in retreat. His hands knotted into fists at his side, his body vibrating.
Molly scooted into a sitting position. Shivers took hold of her limbs. She could do nothing but stare at Willy as he entered the room. He walked slowly toward her.
He stopped at the side of the bed, inches from where her feet were curled on the mattress. In his left hand was a bundle of rope.
“You fucked up her face,” he said to Chris. “I need her goddamn face in good condition. No one wants to buy a beat-up whore.”
“She was bruised when you brought her here,” Chris said defensively. He turned for the door.
“Wait. Stay here until she’s tied up.” He brought his gaze back to Molly, the corner of his lip curling with disdain. “She might be small but she’s ballsy.”
He shook out the rope and reached for her ankles. His thumbs bit into the thin flesh near the bone. “Kick me and I’ll knock out half your teeth.”
A tremor shook her spine. She didn’t doubt him for one second. He wound the rope around her ankles, pulling tightly and making a knot between each figure eight. Next, he brought up the loose end of the rope and tied her wrists together, forcing her into a rounded position.
She couldn’t move. Willy pushed her shoulder, and she toppled onto the sheets with her backside facing him.
Panicked, she jerked and wiggled, valiantly trying to get to the other side of the bed.
Willy laughed mockingly. Seizing her legs, he dragged her back toward him, then tied the last bit of rope to the headboard. “Relax. As much as I’d love to give everyone on this property a turn with you, I’ve got a buyer coming soon.”
Terror launched into her throat.
Chris snorted. “She’s gotta be late twenties. Not worth as much as someone half her age.”
“No,” Willy agreed. “But she’s a pretty one. Right now, anyway.”
He dusted her hair away from her face. His touch was akin to centipede legs, and revulsion brought the nausea back full force.
