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The only way out would be to overpower them, but if I tried, they would likely shoot Rose. She had no training and would be a liability if we tried to run.

Our only other choice was to cooperate and hope for the best.

“You come with us,” one man barked, moving his assault weapon erratically.

“Do what he says,” I whispered to Rose. “Stay calm. We’ll get through this.”

She said nothing as the men led us to a waiting van around the corner and put hoods over our heads.

Why the hell had I agree to come back and put both of us in danger?

I had no answers to my simple questions, let alone the more difficult ones.

* * *

As soon as the hood came off, I realized they had taken Rose somewhere else.

“Where is she?” I yelled.

Unseen hands pushed me, sending me almost falling to the dirt floor.

Were we in a fucking cave?

“Settle down, Warren,” Melvin said as he emerged from the darkness.

A half-dozen other men, all heavily armed, formed a circle around me. Yet, regardless of the strong and intimidating men surrounding me, my thoughts were solely on Rose and her safety.

Where was she?

Melvin laughed. “What? You’ve got nothing to say?”

“Where’s Rose?” I asked, glaring at him.

“That bitch is fine.”

I lunged toward him. He pulled out a stun-gun and hit me with at least fifty-thousand volt

s, sending me to the ground. He laughed again as I writhed in pain.

“Where is she?” I yelled furiously, slowly climbing back to my feet.

“You don’t need to worry about that bitch,” Melvin said, staring at me with his lifeless eyes.

I shook my head. “Why are you doing this?”

“Why not?” he said with a chuckle. “You could have been on the winning side of this, but you had to be a punk-ass and drop out. We were going to let you go until that bitch published her story.”

“You were behind the Afghani calling her?”

“Wow. You really are dense, aren’t you?” He shoved the stun-gun forward and pressed the button, causing me to flinch. A round of laughter filled the cavern.

Think, Warren, a voice in my head urged. It’s sink or swim time. You have to save her…

“You should have either stuck with us, or kept your mouth shut. Now you’ll pay.” Melvin paused before barking an order. “Bring the woman in here.”

I watched in horror as Rose was dragged kicking and screaming into the cavern.

“Leave her alone!” I said, rushing over. They shoved her to the floor. I went down on my knees next to her. “Are you okay?”