Chapter 4
Amelia couldn’t tell if the sun was about to set or if it was the middle of the day.
Since entering through the large door at the end of the building, she’d spent every second in an interior room with no access to anything other than a bucket.
She needed to pee, and it was dawning on her that she was going to have to use that bucket, which she didn’t want to do.
A noise sounded outside the room, and she wrapped her arms tighter around her legs and pulled her knees closer. She couldn’t disappear, but she wanted to.
Worry for Lainey had grown to the point that if she thought about her daughter, she cried.
At least Lainey hadn't been with her when she'd been taken.
A few women brought their kids to the club and left them in the dressing room when they were sick, but she hated doing that.
If Lainey had been there, she would be doubly worried about her.
Now, she just had to hope Dena would take care of Lainey for as long as she could.
The door opened, letting in a blinding light that sizzled straight through her head like fire. She closed her eyes, trying to hide from the blast of light. Slowly, she began to crack open her eyes as the sound of footsteps drew nearer.
She was already as far back against the wall as she could get. Whoever was coming for her wasn’t slowing.
“Come on, get up.”
She opened her eyes and spotted a man with a dark beard and scraggly hair. He was tall and thin, but he looked strong. When he grabbed her arm and pulled her up, she realized he was very strong. She fought to get her feet underneath her, but he was moving so quickly that she stumbled.
“Quit fucking around!” the guy yelled as he yanked her hard, sending pain down her arm. “It’s time.”
She couldn’t jerk away from him, so she didn’t even try. “Time for what?” she asked as she scrambled along behind him.
“Time to go.”
“But I need to pee.”
His gaze swung to her, his frown deep. “You should have used the bucket.”
“I didn’t. I need to go now.”
He let out a loud huff. “Fine.”
They stopped beside a door he pushed open. It was a bathroom with a toilet and a urinal. The room had a window up high, but she didn’t think she could get up there.
“Don’t try anything funny.”
She glanced at the guy and shook her head. “What could I do?”
“Just piss and come out or I’ll come in there to find you. And you won’t like what I do.”
Fear had been riding her, but his threat made it even worse. Her hands shook as she shut the door and turned to the toilet. She had to go, so she moved to the toilet and pulled down her pants. She glanced around, not seeing any telltale signs of a camera, but she wasn’t sure.
There was no way she could get to the window. It was up too high, and there wasn't anything against that wall for her to climb on. She was stuck.
The guy standing guard outside knocked on the door and pushed it open about an inch. “You done?”
Annoyance flashed. “Jesus, I had to go. Let me finish.”
The guy huffed. “Whatever.”
The door shut, and she finished using the bathroom.
After washing her hands, she glanced up at the window again, wishing she were more athletic.
Even if she was years younger and hadn't given birth, she would have a hard time getting out that window.
It was at least six feet off the ground and thin.
Maybe when she was a kid, she would have attempted an escape.
The door opened, and the guy walked in, his mouth set in an angry frown. “Time to go.”
“Where are we going?”
“You get to dance tonight.”
Shock coursed through her. “What?”
“You’re entertaining our crew.”
She shook her head. “I’m not a dancer.”
“You are tonight. You either entertain the crew, or you get beat. And my guys love a good fuck after beating a woman. There are no other options.”
“Fine. I’ll dance.” She shuffled out of the room, anger and fear wrapping around her. At least Dena was taking care of Lainey. That was one thing she didn’t have to worry about.
If only these guys had come to the club next week. She planned on taking the week off because Dena had a business trip. Her foot dragged as panic hit hard. Dena had a business trip. Where would Lainey go?
She had to get away, but there was no easy escape from this place.
Maybe she could get away while dancing. She had to be ready to leave if any opportunity presented itself.
Lainey was too young to leave alone. She knew Dena wouldn't leave her, not really.
But where would her daughter go while Dena went on her trip?