Page 174 of Reaper

I try not to move another muscle for fear of whoever tied me up realizing I’m awake. Belatedly, I realize I’m lying on my side on something soft, so it must be blankets or a bed. At least it’s not a cold, hard concrete floor.

Memories of shopping with Chris and Sway come back to me.

Of me being kidnapped and someone injecting me with something.

A bag being placed over my head as someone zip ties my hands together.

I slow my breathing as I try to force my muscles to relax so that it will still look like I’m sleeping. Remembering the bag, I take another slow breath and exhale through my mouth. My breath doesn’t come right back at my face which makes me think they may have removed the bag.

Slowly, I crack open an eye as I try and take in my surroundings, but then promptly close it as I try to keep my heart and my breathing from giving me away.

There are three men in what seemed like a hotel room with me and I am lying on a bed, not a pile of blankets. While being close to the exit would be preferable, at least this way I can see the entire room. I only got a quick glance of the men, but I didn’t recognize any of them. Then again, I doubt I’d get past all three of them even if I wasn’t tied up.

My throat tightens when I hear the door unlock and someone walking into the room.

“Is the bitch still not up yet?” someone grumbles as he heavily sets something down on a hard surface.

“No, sir,” another one replies.

“Maybe the good doctor messed up the dosage?” another one suggests, and the others start to agree but then suddenly fall silent.

“Regardless of if he’s fucked up the dose or not, he’s on his way to claim her and will be here soon.”

Ice runs through my veins. What doctor? Who is he talking about?

“It’s a pity we can’t sample the merchandise beforehand. With how much hassle she’s given the doctor, I bet that tight hole of hers would feel pretty good.”

Terror runs through me at the thought of them raping me, but I force my breathing to remain unchanged. I cannot panic right now. I try to flex my wrists, but they’re tied tightly together and it’s only now that I realize my fingertips are starting to tingle with numbness.

I don’t know how long I pretend to still be asleep when a ping comes from a phone and someone grunts.

“Boss is here.”

I swallow hard as my heart beats so loud I can hear it.

A moment later, I hear someone open a door and then it shuts again.

“I take it there were no problems?” the newcomer asks, and my breath catches because I know that voice.

It’s a voice that’s haunted my nightmares for months.

“None. We dispatched the two men that were with her, and the children didn’t see us. No one followed us from what we could see.”

“Good,” he replies and then I hear him, or at least I’m assuming it’s him, cross the room towards me.

Fingers grasp my chin hard, and my eyes fly open as I wince in pain. My gaze locks with his and a shiver runs through me at thedark excitement in his eyes. His fingers tighten even more, and I worry they’ll leave bruises.

“I knew you weren’t asleep, Precious, and as soon as this storm passes, we’ll be on our way to a place no one will be able to find. You’ll be mine and I’ll enjoy breaking you down, bit by bit,” he says with a dark smile that promises pain and God knows what else.

He releases me and I shrink back, not wanting to be anywhere near him.

One of the other men step forward. “Our payment?”

He’s the one that grabbed me—none of the others have the same wheeze when they talk.

A bag is handed over and after the main guy looks through it, he gives a signal to the other men.

“Pleasure doing business with you.”