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Al snapped out of his frozen state. “Jeannie! That’s enough!” Not that the man deserved mercy, but he didn’t want her to take a life if she didn’t have to.

Jeannie looked up, her eyes dazed as she continued to pull on the chain.

He stepped forward slowly. “It’s over. You did great, Jeannie-girl. And now I’m going to take you out of here.”

Jeannie blinked several times before finally dropping the chain as the man slumped to the floor. “Al?” she asked.

“Yeah, baby.”

She stared at him, and her eyes filled with tears. “You’re really here?”

“I’m here. In this weird-ass room.” He looked around, taking in the ribbons of tulle and exotic decorations. “You look fucking hot though.”

Jeannie blinked again, looking down at her genie costume and a laugh burst from her chest. She grinned, the fog vanishing from her eyes as her strength returned. “You bet your ass I do.” She raised an eyebrow. “You know me. If I’m going to get kidnapped, I’m going to do it like a boss.” She sauntered toward him, and he held his arms out to her.

“That’s my girl.” He held her close, not wanting to think about how close he’d come to losing her. After several long minutes, he loosened his hold long enough to kiss her lightly on the forehead. “I think it’s time we go home.”

“Yeah, I’ve had enough of city life.”

“Me too. I just want to put on my uniform and go back to work. Hunter told me someone’s been stealing Mr. Bill’s pine straw. And Axe wants to go on a honeymoon.”

“When did he get married? We haven’t been gone that long.”

“Two years ago,” Al deadpanned.

“Oh dang. I definitely missed something.” She shook her head. “Well, I guess if you cover him now, he’ll owe you when you take yours.”

“Mine?”

“Uh, yeah. Don’t tell me you forgot you proposed to someone tonight? It was Jazz, right? Please tell me it wasJazz. Because Iona—”

Before Al could set her straight, Diane burst into the room. “Oh Jeannie, thank God you’re okay!” His eyes landed on Victor’s limp body. “Holy shit! Is he—”

“Just passed out,” Al answered. “How’s Beth?”

“Jazz is with her and the others. The police are on their way.”

“Others?” Jeannie and Al asked at the same time.

Diane shook her head. “This dude is a total sicko, y’all. There were six rooms here, each with a different theme and holding a different woman. It’s like he collected them or something.” She shivered. “Look, I need to film this room, not for the show because we are way past that. But just to make sure this is all documented for his trial. How about you guys head out into the main room?”

Jeannie smiled. “Thanks, I owe you one.”

“Drinks at Susie’s?”

“Done!” Jeannie smiled and reached for Al’s hand. He guided her to the front room where Jazz and Shane sat with several scared women in various costumes.

Jazz jumped up when she saw them and gave Jeannie a big hug. “I am so glad to see you. Are you okay? He didn’t do anything, did he?”

“No, he didn’t get the chance. He wanted me to massage him, so I played along until I got close enough to choke his fat Jabba the Hutt ass with my leash.”

“Good work.” Jazz gave her a high five. “The police will want a statement. I’d say there’s no way they could peg this as anything but self-defense, but …” She shrugged. She reached into her bra and pulled out a dollar, laughing. “Mercedes taught me well.” She put the dollar in Jeannie’s hand. “Okay now give me that dollar.”

Jeannie handed it back to her. “Great. Now I’m your attorney. Don’t say shit to the police unless I’m with you.”

“Oh, thanks. That’s really nice of you.” Jeannie looked from Al to Jazz. She nodded, then smiled. “I’m glad we’ll be neighbors.”

“Neighbors?” Jazz said.