Chapter 56
Nina
If it surprised the men to see our hands in front of us when they opened the van door, they didn’t show it. They yanked us from the van and pushed us towards an abandoned factory.
Most of the windows were broken or missing, and trash littered the ground. A dozen or so armed men walked around the dilapidated building.
How many men do they need to guard an empty building?
Inside there were even more men. Some wore suits. Some wore jeans and leather jackets. They all looked terrifying.
Two of them tied me to a chair while four of them shoved Austin to the wall, punched him a few times, and then removed his vest before hooking his handcuffs to a large metal hook hanging from the ceiling.
Austin grunted when a tall, mean looking man cranked the handle, forcing Austin’s wrists above his head and pulling his heels off the ground.
They positioned us so that I faced Austin and Austin faced me. Whatever they intended to do to him, I’d be forced to watch.
Or they’ll force him to watch what they do to me.
My entire body trembled as tears rolled down my face. This wasn’t supposed to happen. We were supposed to be safe in the safe house.
Austin apologized across the small space separating us, which pissed off the guy standing to his right. “Shut up!” the guy said after punching Austin in the face.
The punch was hard enough that Austin’s head whipped to the left, and blood sprayed from his nose.
“Don’t tell them anything, no matter what,” Austin said, earning himself a punch to the gut that would’ve doubled him over if he wasn’t hanging from a chain.
“Miss Singer.” Two thin, creepy old men in suits approached me. “You have no idea of the expenses we’ve incurred to make your acquaintance.”
“What are you a fucking Bond villain?”
If Austin didn’t shut up, he was gonna get himself killed.
I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t have to watch the guy punching Austin.
Someone grabbed my hair and yanked my head back. “Open your eyes, Miss Singer. I wouldn’t want you to miss this.”
This time a different guy took out his frustrations on Austin’s midsection and face.
I prayed SSI would find us.
But how will they find us?
I didn’t expect a rescue anytime soon.