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“You had no problem letting me touch you when we danced.”

“That was before I knew what a piece of trash you are. If I had any idea, I would have kicked you in the balls and had you arrested.”

“That wouldn't have stopped a thing. You're lucky I took you and not one of those other guys.”

My jaw clenched tight, and my hands balled into fists. I couldn't stop myself. I pulled back and punched Vega straight in the face. My knuckles crunched against his nose, causing his head to snap back.

He sucked in a breath and grunted as he grabbed his nose. Blood began to seep through his fingers and down his hand. Bright red flowed down his wrists and disappeared into the cuffs on his sleeves.

“Nice hit,” he said, his voice nasally. “You cold-cocked me. A cheap shot, but it was a good hit. I didn't see it coming.”

“Fuck you,” I shot back.

Chapter Nine

Poppy

“Get up. We're leaving.”

“What?” I asked as I sat up.

Vega was standing in the door with a small bundle under his arms. “Here, put these on and make it quick.” He tossed the bundle at me.

“I don't understand,” I said as I caught a small pile of clothes. “What's happening?”

“Just get dressed and come out when you're finished,” he said and shut the door. Vega gave me a pair of jeans, a yellow shirt, and a pair of flats—no bra, no panties, no socks or a jacket, just the bare minimum needed to consider me dressed.

I pulled on the clothes quickly and waited at the door. Was this it? Was I finally being traded for whatever Vega was after? The room didn't hold any significance, but it had, in all sense of the meaning, becomehome.I curled my thin fingers around the doorknob and twisted. It turned without resistance, allowing me to open it freely.

I half-heartedly laughed when the door opened. What a cruel joke. I had tried to open the door a million times. The one time it gives me free passage, it's not to let me go. Vega was right outside, leaning against the wall. His face held an air of impatience as he glanced up from his phone.

“Come on. Time to go.” He reached out his hand. Instinctively, I took it.

Vega's hand was rough, covered with tough callouses and coarse skin. His thick fingers wrapped mine, but not to control or command my participation. He held my hand as if to protect me. To move me out of harm's way. And yet, he was the predator. He was the beast with teeth bared, eager to feast.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

“Someplace else,” he said as he pulled me down the hall.

“Why?”

“Because.”

“That's not an answer.”

“It's my answer to you.” He picked up the pace, walking faster. “There's a car waiting for us outside. Once we're inside it, I'll tell you more.”

“Why not tell me now?”

“I was hoping it wouldn't come to this.” Vega glanced briefly at me. His eyes were almost sympathetic. “But now I have no choice.”

“What are you talking about? Hoping it wouldn't come to what?”

“We just need to go.”

He guided me down long halls and dark stairwells. Through eerily quiet corridors and musty, dirty rooms, our feet shuffled like mice scurrying through the walls at night. We finally reached a set of rusted double doors with a crooked exit sign dangling above. The sign wasn't lit. There was no glowing red filament or buzzing of fluorescent bulbs.

Vega pushed one door open with a stern arm. The sun exploded like an atomic bomb, blinding me instantly. I blocked my eyes with my free hand. I could barely open my lids all the way. My eyes burned as if someone had just thrown salt in my face.