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“I don't make promises. I can give you my word that I won't; that's it.” His voice echoed over the tiles, making it sound like he was all around me. I shuddered. My skin bristled as his voice encased me in a warmth of sound.

“I guess that's good enough.”

“It has to be good enough because that's all you're getting.” Vega twisted away from me and faced the direction we came in. “So, let's go. Get it over with.”

I slipped my dirty red dress off and kicked it to the side. The metal of the faucet was cold against my fingers, and the floor was smooth under my feet. I turned on the shower and let the hot water cascade down my body.

The water swirled around my feet like a whirlpool in the middle of the sea. Dirt slid down my legs, creating a swamp around the drain. The beautiful whirlpool was now a mudslide, just like my life.

“Hurry up. This ain't a spa,” Vega barked.

“I'm almost done,” I said as I rinsed the shampoo out of my hair. I turned off the water and wrapped myself in the towel. “Okay, I'm finished.”

Vega turned around and said, “It's about damn time.” He looked me up and down. “Why didn't you put your dress back on?”

“Because it's dirty and disgusting.” I kicked the dress in his direction. “I'm not wearing that. Look at it.”

He dragged his fingers through his hair and eyed me. “That's alright. I have something else you can wear.” Vega held up the rope and said, “Hands.”

I complied, holding out both wrists for him to tie. Vega grabbed the binding and walked towards the exit, pulling me along again. I should have felt less than human. I should have felt disturbed and disregarded. I was being walked like a pet. But I didn't feel anything at all. I was more focused on finding a way out than caring about the optics.

The factory was quiet. It obviously wasn't a factory that was in operation. There were no other people around. Other than the few people I had seen, there certainly wasn't enough to run a place this big. A factory like this, if it was running, would be loud and buzzing with life in its heyday.

We reached the door to where Vega was keeping me. “I'll be right back with something for you to put on. Sit tight.” He pointed at the cot as his hulking shoulders blocked the doorway.

“Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere,” I forced a smile as my brows reached high.

He chuckled lightly and shook his head. “I wouldn't suggest you even try.” Vega shut and locked the door.

I sat on the bed. I was cold. My hair was dripping over my shoulders. The water droplets tickled as they glided down my back. I was shivering from head to toe. I tried to wrap the damp towel tighter as if that would help. It didn't do shit. My teeth chattered, rattling around inside my head like dice.

Vega returned a few minutes later carrying a bundle in his arms. “Here,” he said as he dropped the clothes on the cot. “You can put these on. I have some shit to take care of right now, but I'll be back in a little bit with your dinner.”

“It's pretty cold in here. Any chance you could turn the heat up?”

“I'll see what I can do.” He tossed me a smile and a nod.

Vega started to leave, but I stopped him. “Wait,” I said. “Thank you.”

“Don't do that.” He looked back at me over his shoulder, his voice ominous. “Don't thank me.”

“I'm serious. I'm sure you didn't have to let me shower or give me clean clothes. I appreciate it. I honestly do.”

Vega lifted a brow suspiciously. “You're full of shit.”

“I'm not. The little things matter.”

“Don't mistake my actions for kindness.” Vega's mouth turned razor thin. “And you being pleasant doesn't change a thing. I hope you know that. People lie. Especially people in your situation. They lie all the time.”

“I'm not lying. I swear.”

“They say that too.”

“I'm not a liar. My name is Poppy Aneska. Does that ring a bell? I wasn't lying when I said my father would come looking for me or that he'd give you any amount of money for my return. Although, if you own this place, I don't know if it's the money you're after.”

“I know exactly who you are. That's why you're here.” My mouth dropped open as Vega smiled and shut the door behind him.

I wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time. Vega knew what he was doing. This was planned. I was his target.