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My stomach dropped and the world spun, but I couldn’t pass out. I had to focus.

“I’m not willing to spend ten-k to fuck a virgin,” a deep voice came from the bathroom before a tall guy walked out. He looked normal enough with dark jeans and a plain t-shirt covering a lean, muscular body. But his eyes were hollow and dark and leering at me like I was an animal about to be eaten. “But one thousand seemed like a good deal.”

“Leah?” I breathed her name. It escaped like a plea, wanting her to tell me this was all a horrible joke.

“Yeah. Leah showed me and we decided you most likely hadn’t fucked that guy yet from what you’d told Leah about him. But Bill said it didn’t matter, he’d pay either way. I would just owe him about two-fifty back if you don’t bleed when he fucks you.”

Taking a few steps back, I shook my head. This couldn’t be real. This couldn’t be happening. I almost collapsed, everything was shaking so hard, but I had to get out of here. I had to run. Eying Oscar, I figured I could slam past him and knock him off balance enough to get to the door. He had my sister’s swaying body in his arms, he wouldn’t be able to move as fast. I pushed off, ready to flee, but only made it a couple steps before two strong bands wrapped around my body, lifting me off my feet. I kicked out, trying to hit anything or anyone, only swiping at air before my body was slammed on the bed.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins and I moved every inch of myself, lashing out to fight. But Bill’s heavy weight sat on my thighs as he gripped my wrists in one hand, using the other to maneuver a zip tie around them and through the old wooden frame of the bed.

“No,” I screamed. “No. No.” Maybe someone would hear me. Someone could stop this.

Bill laughed. “Scream all you want. Where do you think you are? Do you think people here give a shit what happens in these rooms? As long as they get paid for the night.”

I dug my heels in the bed, trying to lift him off, but he sat on my thighs and I couldn’t gain an inch against the slick bedspread.

“You know, Oscar. We have the room all night. I have some friends who’d pay to fuck her. She won’t be a virgin when I’m done with her, but they’re not picky.”

“I think we could get at least ten in tonight. Maybe more.”

I flexed every muscle and screamed as hard as I could. This couldn’t happen. Tears streamed down my temples into my hair as the picture Erik had painted for me in the same hotel all those weeks ago was coming true.

My screaming stopped when his palm struck my cheek, a stinging fire engulfing my skin. I took a deep breath, trying to focus and get through the pain, to stop the ringing in my ear. I’d never been hit before.

“Not that I don’t want to hear you scream, but that’s a bit excessive. Don’t make me duct tape your mouth shut.”

My chest shook with the sobs I was trying to hold back, but I stopped screaming. I didn’t want to have my mouth covered. It would prevent any chance of anyone hearing me. I stopped for now, but if the opportunity struck, I needed to be able to speak.

“Please. Please don’t do this. Please.” I wasn’t above begging. I would do anything to get out of this situation. There was no pride here. There was only survival.

“You beg so pretty.” His finger dragged down my cheek softly, an illusion completely opposite of what was to come. “Maybe we can keep you here for a while. Let people come and go as they please. My own little whore.”

Oscar laughed. “Maybe I’ll get to shove something up your tight asshole other than the prude stick you have.”

I shook my head, looking over at him lazily sprawled in the chair, Leah in his lap.

“Leah, please. Please. You can’t let this happen.”

Her glassy eyes met mine, mostly vacant except for a small flare of anger. “You should have helped me when you had the chance. But no, you’re a selfish bitch. So, I’m helping myself.”

“Shh, baby,” Oscar palmed her head and pressed it into his neck. “Don’t worry about her. Just enjoy the high.” He pulled another pill from his pocket and fed it to her.

“Leah,” I cried, but she didn’t look up. Betrayal washed over me. “Leah,” I screamed her name, forcing her to acknowledge what she was doing, but she ignored it like I didn’t exist in whatever world she slipped in to.

Bill leaned over me, reaching for the radio to turn the knob to blare the music. I jerked, trying to head butt him, but it didn’t work. My hands were secured and the plastic tore into my skin when I moved too far. It didn’t stop me from pulling. The wood was old, maybe it would crack. Maybe a miracle would happen.