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To my dismay, I feel a huge hand squeeze my ass.
“I like them angry,” he growls, crouching to the floor to inspect me. “The boss won’t care if we take her for a ride first, eh, comrade?” He laughs. “Or did that kick to balls make your dick no work?”
The laugh devolves into a sadistic snicker as his fingers dance around my inner thigh. “Such a body on her. Ripe, eh?”
“Come on, Dishjav, we have to leave. Too much noise,” the other says.
“It’s the middle of the night,” Dishjav says. “Who’s going to know?” He grabs my ass again, and I offer a swift kick towards his face.
He catches my foot and slams the heel on the floor, causing a third round of stars. At this point, I wish they’d pistol whip me so I wasn’t conscious for this. My entire body is bruised and broken between now and the last few days. Bruises on top of bruises.
Get the hell off me!
I try to kick again, but he catches my other leg and holds them wide. It’s the first time I see the demon behind the mask. The drool over his crooked teeth is yearning. Eyes so sadistic it’s like I died and went to hell.
Save me, Silver,I pray to no avail.
Fssss!
A whistle comes from outside—from the fat Russian.
“That’s the signal, Dishjav. We gonow.” The shorter one grabs him by the shoulder, and Dish grunts in agreement.
“Guess I’ll have to try you later.”
I bite my lip to stop from quivering.
“Oh, don’t look so glum.” He rips me by the hair, forcing me to my feet. “After you see the boss, you’re going to be praying for what I have to offer.”
I try to scream, but he slaps me, cuffs me, and shoves tape over my mouth.
The smaller bratva shakes his head as he exits the room.
“Ah, watch your step.” Dishjav laughs while stepping over Mara dead on the floor.
I yelp when I see her—eyes wide and blood pooling beneath her.
My legs are all numb as they struggle to catch the steps. I’m being dragged harshly, hitting my shoulder on the banister as I move.
Fresh, biting air hits my open cuts, keeping me lucid. I have to remember whatever details I can. It’s like the movieTaken. It feelsexactlythe same as what the daughter portrayed. But I have to be like Liam. Be smart.
When Dishjav and the other meet with fattso, I notice them looking around for side cameras down the block. There’s only street lights. Smart move. We walk toward two white vans with black lettering. Some are scratched off from weather… or on purpose.
Rish, something, piping and cleaning.
Now I realize, the weathering is identical. Theplatesare identical. One is being used as a diversion.
Shit.
They open the side door quietly, and throw me in less so. It’s pitch-black with no seats. I’m going to be rolling around all over the place. As I scramble to get to my knees, the smaller one already grabs my wrist from the front seat and makes sure my cuffs are secure.
“Try one movement I don’t like, I shoot your leg,da?”
I tense my jaw.
“Ey!”He taps the gun against the headrest—metal on metal. “Do you understand?”
I nod reluctantly, and he turns around with a sigh.