“Ms. Miller,” he calls. I stop, knowing there’s no point. I’ve been bought and paid for. The American comes up to me, gripping a firm hand around the back of my neck.
“You will never turn your back to me again,” he whispers for only the three of us to hear. “Now, I have some work to do. Tim will make sure you get home safely, where you will wait for me in our room, with nothing on. Oh, and, love, I like you to be smooth down south.” His eyes drop to my crotch. He leans in, grips my head, and kisses me hard. I try to fight it, but he digs his thumb into my shoulder, making me cry and go limp. Once he’s finished, he pushes me into Tim’s grip. “I’ll be home tonight. Make sure she’s ready for me.”
“Yes, sir.” Tim nods and wraps his huge hand around my wrist.
I spit on the ground once he’s gone. Tim says nothing as he pushes me into the elevator, and we go down to the parking level. He opens the door of a black town car and helps me in. I notice once the door is closed, it locks. Tim slips into the driver’s seat, starts the car, and pulls into traffic.
That’s when I shatter into a million pieces. A horrible sob bursts from my throat, and I start to shut down. Mark, John, Paul, Keith, Abigail, June, Sue, Daniel, Scoot, Mike, Frank, Derek, Cole…but it doesn’t work. I can feel myself slipping away.
I barely feel the car stop. I only blink a few times when Tim climbs into the back seat with me. He holds up his hands, showing me he won’t hurt me.
“Here.” He opens a little black bag and shows me the label Extra Strength Tylenol. I look at him, confused. There has to be a catch. “Take three, miss, you’ll need it. Are your ribs all right?” I shake my head because honestly, they aren’t. He nods then hands me a bottle of water, removing the lid.
“Why do you work for him?” I’m not really sure why I ask, but I want to know, and I feel like I need to say something.
He tucks the Tylenol away, avoiding eye contact. “It wasn’t a choice.”