Page 102 of Rum & Coke

“Pretty sure. That’s what her friend Melony told me.”

“And how does she know?”

“She said the girls at the club sell for him.”

We were silent for a bit while she thought about everything. “The case from last night was personal.”

“Okay?” I asked, confused about why she was bringing it up. It didn’t involve Tessa.

“I’ve spent my entire life hating the man who was taken down last night.”

“Yeah? And this has to do with Tessa?” I turned more toward Joss in my seat.

“No,” Joss replied. “I’m bringing it up because the bust happened and we essentially got the guy, but there’s more to it than that.”

“Okay?”

“A lot of my time has been spent working on this case, and it still will be while the investigation is pending.”

“What are you getting at?”

“While I care for you because you’re my husband’s friend, and I like Tessa, I’m not going to be able to spend a lot of time on this until that case is over.”

“And you don’t know how long that will be?”

Joss shook her head. “No. It’s not your average case.”

“So, what are you telling me?”

“I’ll put some feelers out and get in contact with the DEA, but I can’t make any promises. If there’s no evidence she’s not there by her own choice, then I can’t barge in and save her.”

“Can you at least talk to her?”

“I will when I can. It has to be on my own time because if local PD already did their welfare check, I won’t have any cause to go check on her.”

“She’s your friend. There has to be a way.”

“Let me look into it. The case we’re working on is my top priority. I’m sorry, Vinny, but give me some time.”

Hearing her say those words, made me think I wouldn’t know anything for a long time.

Forty-Five Days Later …

I wasn’tsure how many days had passed because the weeks were running into each other, and I didn’t have my phone or a calendar to remind me what day it was.

Sebastian was able to find a teacher with special education qualifications, and Monday through Friday we had class. I watched while Colton and Mrs. Porter did their daily schooling. I had nothing else to do, and there was no way I was leaving Colt alone with anyone who was employed by Sebastian.

And most nights, he ordered me to be in his bed.

A few days after we moved in, Sebastian’s people went and got more of my clothes and pictures and things. I wasn’t able to tell them what I wanted, and I wasn’t sure happened with my apartment. I didn’t ask. Deep down I knew Sebastian got rid of all of my furniture and somehow got me out of my lease.

About the same time, I deduced that something happened to his friend Tony because a few days after I was held here, Sebastian became stressed, needing me to let off steam or something. He wasn’t rough with me, but he also didn’t try to make me feel good—it never was good anyway. He used me, and I never questioned Sebastian about what was going on, but I’d overheard him say to Mateo that Tony’s bust wasn’t going to be good for him because they were friends and the Feds could link them. Link them in what? I had no clue.

Every night, I would cry after Sebastian used me, and every morning, I’d put a smile on my face so Colton wouldn’t know something was wrong. But, somethingwaswrong because the more time passed, the more I realized I wasn’t getting my period.

And I wanted my period.

I wanted the week break from Sebastian. I wanted to not have to cry after he was done with me. I wanted to not have to wonder every day if he’d want me to pleasure him when he came home. I wanted to escape.