Chapter 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.”
She pouts like a fucking child, and it takes everything in me to keep my mouth shut.
“But then your husband followed you to Seattle, and I was able to collect what was owed to me.” Her smile returns.
“Please,” one of the women begs, standing from her cot. She wobbles as she approaches Leysa, unsteady on her feet, most likely due to drugs. “Please let me go. My father will pay you whatever you want.”
Tears slide down her cheeks, and my heart breaks for all these women, including myself, because we don’t stand a chance against this psycho.
She’s got us locked down in some fortress with dozens of armed guards.
Even if Lorenzo or Matteo could find us, how would they ever get past all these men without being killed?
“Your father had his chance to pay me, but he called my bluff!” Leysa hisses, getting in the woman’s face.
She squeezes her cheeks, and the woman whimpers.
“He thought because I was a woman, he could take advantage of me. Now, he will learn his lesson.” She steps back and smacks the woman across the face, then glances around the room.
“The auction is in two days. Be on your best behavior, and you will go home with a powerful, rich man. Embarrass me, and you’ll spend the rest of your short life regretting it. ”
“Why are you doing this?” I blurt out. “You’re a woman. Just like us. Why would you do this to us?”
Leysa stares at me for several seconds, and I think she’s going to ignore my question, but then she speaks.
“I’m a businesswoman. Import and export have been part of my family for generations.
Some people deal in weapons, drugs, alcohol.
My family deals in women. At least, we did until the Antonovs killed my grandfather.
” Her eyes darken. “I considered taking the Antonov women, but they keep getting knocked up and sullying their worth. It’s not personal. ”
She glances around the room. “Every one of you is here because the men in your family didn’t take me seriously. But now they will. And every time they hear my name, they’ll remember what happens when they fuck with me.”
A devilish grin spreads across her face before she saunters out of the room.
Once she’s gone, several of the women start to cry, but I hold it in, knowing if I let myself go, I’ll have a panic attack, which can lead to me passing out.
And that can’t happen. Not here, not now.
Where I’m vulnerable and I need to be clear-minded to try to figure a way out of this.
Even if a huge part of me knows there is no way out.