Chapter 81
FREVA
The car screeched to a halt in front of a crumbling old building. Its cracked façade loomed in the moonlight, an ominous silhouette against the night sky. My stomach twisted into knots as the car door opened and rough hands yanked me out. The cold night air stung my skin, but it was nothing compared to the icy dread pooling in my chest.
Asharp push sent me forward, pushing me toward the dilapidated building. The door creaked ominously as it swung open, revealing a dimly lit interior that smelled of mildew and damp wood. My heart was racing as I scanned the room. Noah stood there, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, speaking in hushed tones to another man. My stomach sank. Gia was nowhere to be seei
“Neah, I shouted, my voice shaking beneath my attempt to sound bold. “Where is Gia?”
He didn’t even turn my way, continuing his conversation as if I didn’t exist. Finally, his voice cut through the sense air. “What do you think?”
The other man turned to me, his cold, calculative gaze making my
by skin crawl, “Yeah, she’s a sexy little thing,” he said with a smirk that made me
want to lunge at him.
My fists tightened at my sides as I gulped down the bile that began welling up in my mouth. “Where is my daughter?” I screamed, the shudder of my voice at odds with my fear, begging to be set free. I did what you told me to. I came here. Now let my daughter go.”
“You are such an idiot, Noah spat, finally deigning to acknowledge my presence.
“Artificial Intelligence can do a lot of things these days. Including mimicking voices. His words struck me like a physical punch. My knees wobbled as the realization sank in. That desperate cry for help–Gia’s voice pleading over the phone–hadn’t been real.
My breath came short as guilt and rage swept through me. Why hadn’t I thought to call her school? Why hadn’t I double–checked: I should have known something was off. Damn it. Damn it!
I turned abruptly, instincts scream
screaming at me to run, but strong arms grabbed me before I could take more than a step. My captors held me fast. their grip bruising. Panic clawed at my chest as I struggled against them.
“Oh, you think you can get away now? Then you’re more stupid than I thought, the man with Noah sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. He stepped closer and struck me hard across the face. Pain exploded in my cheek, and I tasted blood. “Bitch
“WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME” I screamed, my voice breaking as I thrashed against their hold. Tears blurred my vision, but I couldn’t stop fighting.
“Move, bitch,” one of them growled, pushing me forward. My heart pounded as they dragged me into another car. I was screaming my lings out but nothing helped
The car had reached some fancy–looking place, its grandeur almost taunting in its silence. Neon lights flickered intermittently, reflecting off polished glass walls. The building loomed over me like a predator eyeing its prey. My throat constricted as I looked around, my heart racing. I wasn’t in the right head to observe my surroundings properly, but the air screamed opulence and danger. The smell of cigarettes, expensive cologne, and something bitter that I couldn’t place invaded my senses. This wasn’t just any place. It reeked of power and secrets.
The car door opened, and rough hands pulled me out. I stumbled but caught myself before falling. My palms scraped the coarse gravel beneath my feet. My head was spinning. What was happening? Why was I here!
A woman in her carly forties stood by the grand entrance, her posture rigid and her face set in an expression of disdain. She looked like she had seen too much of the world and had no patience left for any of it. Her dark hair was pulled into a tight bup, her fitted suit emphasizing sharp lines and control. Her cold eyes landed on me with disinterest,
“Who’s this?” she asked, her voice sharp and clipped.
“This dude couldn’t pay back, the man who had dragged ane here replied nonchalantly. “This is the payment.”
The words hit me like a freight train. I felt the air leave my lungs as a cold dread washed over me. Payment? Noah’s face flashed in my mind, his casual smirk from that day at the cafe when he’d mentioned debts–debts to dangerous people. I hadn’t thought much of it then. He tricked me? He
sold inc
The woman raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. “Are we allowed to accept this.. currency?” she asked, the disdain in her voice barely
masked
1/2
7:02 AM c
Chapter 81
“Of course. You think brothels have all willing participants? The man chuckled, his tone casual, as if he were discussing the weather.
The word brothel rang in my ears. I felt my chest tighten, a sense of panic clawing at my insides as I stumbled backward. I felt the crunch of gravel beneath my feet as the reality of my situation began to daw on me.
“What the hell are you talking about!” I shrieked, my voice cracking. My hands became fists as adrenaline coursed through my veins.
The woman barely responded. She just shook her head, letting out an exasperated breath. “You take care of this,” she curtly said, turning on her heel and stepping inside the building
His grin snapped me back to him. The man was predatory with the smile. His eyes glittered with malice. “Let me go! Let me fucking go!” I raged against his grip, my voice rising in desperation.
He had no words. His hand shot out, the slap echoing through the silent night. Pain exploded across my cheek, the force of it sending me sprawling to the ground. My skin was burning where his palm had connected. Before I could catch myself, his boot connected with my side, the impact radiating through my ribs. 1 curled up instinctively, arms wrapped around my abdomen as if to shield the one thing that mattered more than anything–my baby.
