Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
His screams lead me straight to him—in the closet with the door closed.
“Vanessa?” I call out, picking him up.
Her phone drops from in his lap onto the floor, and I rush out, checking every room for her even though I already know she’s not here.
My phone rings, and I click Accept.
“She’s gone,” Matteo says. “I don’t know who she’s with, but she’s heading north on the interstate. Is Leo with you?”
I stare down at my son, who’s hiccuping from crying, and all the pieces come together.
“She saved his life,” I choke out. “She hid him in the closet and called me so I would know something was wrong. They took her, Matteo. They fucking took her, and she made sure our son was safe.”
And as I use the word our, I mean it to the depths of my soul. Because Leo isn’t just my son anymore … he’s Vanessa’s too. She loves him the way a mother is supposed to love her child. Hillary used him for her own gain, but Vanessa loved and protected him.
“I’m going to get her back, Russo,” Matteo says. “I promise, I’m going to get her back.”
39
Vanessa
As I take in my surroundings, I try to memorize every detail. I’ve seen Taken, so I know I’m fucked, but if I can somehow get ahold of Lorenzo and relay any information that might help, it will increase my chances of being found.
The problem is, I freaked out when I was taken, and the bitch had her goons drug me. I appreciate the calmness it’s providing, but it’s also messing with my head, making things foggy. At some point, I passed out, so other than being aware that I’m on a plane, I have no idea where we’re heading or how long we’ve been in the air.
“Ahh, you’re awake. You going to behave now?” the woman asks condescendingly.
When I don’t respond, her lips curl into a maniacal smile.
“Good. I’m Leysa Santiago, and as I’m sure you’re aware, you were sold to me to pay off your stepfather’s debt due to his addiction. Although”—she cackles—“his addiction is no longer a problem.”
“And as I’m sure you’re aware, selling humans in the United States is illegal.”
Her features turn serious, and before I can figure out her next move, her palm connects with my cheek. The sting causes me to jerk back as black dots momentarily take over my vision.
“Back talk will not be tolerated,” she hisses. “It’s bad enough you’ve ruined your worth by spreading your legs for Mr. Russo. But, lucky for you, I still believe there’s value in you.” She leans in, and her brown eyes light up with excitement, making her look even crazier. “That’s if you can be a good girl and behave.” Her gaze darkens. “If you can’t … if you cause trouble … I’ll be forced to send you to the whorehouse, where you’ll be treated like a piece of meat.”
“And selling me isn’t treating me like a piece of meat?” I bite out.
Leysa purses her bright red lips and glares at me.
“The men who will be attending the auction are wealthy, affluential. Many are diplomats, looking for a companion. They’ll be paying top dollar. You can accept your fate—that you’ll be sold to one of them—put on a happy face, and show them that you’re worthy of their attention, or you will be passed around by dozens of men a day. The choice is yours.”
She stands and walks out of the bedroom that they’re keeping me in, leaving me to wrap my head around what she said.
She’s going to sell me to the highest bidder.
Like I’m an object that can be bought and sold.
And there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
“Ladies,” Leysa says as she guides me through a doorway.
The fact that she didn’t bother to cover my face as we drove up to the compound in the middle of nowhere tells me that she’s sure I’ll never be given the chance to tell anyone about what I’ve seen. Everything in me wants to lash out and fight back, but with the number of men she has surrounding her, I don’t stand a chance.
“Meet Vanessa,” she says, shoving me inside a large room that’s filled with a myriad of women, who are lying on rows of cots.
Some glance up out of curiosity while others stay balled up on their cots. My gaze lands on one woman, who’s clearly beautiful, but her eyes are bloodshot and lifeless, her skin is pale and unhealthy-looking, and her hair is matted to her face like she hasn’t washed it in weeks.
And it hits me—this is going to be me.
“She’s the grand finale,” Leysa continues. “I almost thought I was going to have to proceed without you,” she says with a smarmy grin. “I was preoccupied and lost track of you for a minute. You snuck out of Harbor Point, and I wasn’t sure I’d get you in time for the auction.”