“Yes, baby?”
“The snowflake…that’s what I’m holding on to.” The line goes dead.
“You got a hit, Mike?” he asks, knowing Mike is still listening and taking down all the information Savannah rambled off.
“Burner phone. I’ve already started the search on the security system. I’ll be in touch.”
Cole drops the phone on his lap, needing a moment to comprehend everything that just happened. His heart aches thinking about her last words. The night he bought the snowflake necklace for her was the night they both declared their love for one another. It’s good to know that even after all she has been through, especially after seeing that photo, she still loves him.
His father is the first to get into the Land Rover. “Tell me, is our girl all right?”
Cole wipes his eyes. He hadn’t even realized they were watering while he talked to her. “We’ll see.”
Daniel reaches over and gives his son’s shoulder a tight squeeze. “This is what we do, and we’re damn good at it. Have a little faith.”
“Yeah.” He blows out a breath to release some of the tension while the rest of the guys pile in, and as John starts the engine, Cole says, “Change in plans, boys.”
Savannah
Tim slips the burner phone into his pocket and nods toward the bathroom.
“He’ll be expecting you to be clean.” He makes a sorry face. “We can’t have him wondering why I didn’t do my job.”
I look down, feeling a wave of nausea run through me. Can I really trust this man? I wonder what Cole made me repeat. I know better than to ask questions when we are not alone. Tim picks out a short dress and leaves, saying I need to be downstairs in one hour for The American’s arrival.
I quickly shower, taking every so often to control my meltdowns, dress in the ridiculously short red dress, slip on what can only be described as stripper stilettos, and head downstairs. Every step makes my stomach knot tighter, makes me want to run out the front door and across the border to freedom at any cost.
A little old man, a staff member, gives me a small nod and points to where I’m supposed to go. I wonder if he knows I’m being held here against my will. I’m sure he does.
I enter a massive dining area and find myself stared down by five very scary girls who look like they’re out for blood. I have no doubt that I just stepped into a new rendition of The Hunger Games. I take the open seat next to a blonde girl who snickers when I settle in.
The redhead with the bad dye job across from me makes a show of looking me over. Her drawn-on eyebrows are raised as she shoots daggers at me. Not knowing what to do with myself, I reach for my napkin and place it on my lap.
“Esta gringathinks she has manners.” Eyebrows snickers, making the rest of the girls laugh except the blonde girl next to me.
“Her name is Savannah,” The American—Denton—says, his voice sucking every ounce of strength I have left out of me. “You can learn something from her, Tracy.” He leans in and runs the back of his fingers down my cheek. I freeze, paralyzed in fear.
Tracy, a.k.a. Eyebrows, points her fork at me. “Shit, Denton, she doesn’t even want you.” She looks over at him, flashing a toothy smile. “You want me to show you how much I want you?” She opens her mouth and flicks her tongue.Yuck.
“Enough, Tracy, or I’ll send you upstairs again.” Tracy’s face drops at The American’s words.
Dinner is served, and they all start to eat. I stare at the plate, feeling like I want to vomit.
“Every girl has to eat, Savannah.” The American rests his hand on mine. I quickly pull it out from under his, not wanting any kind of contact with him. “Are you going to fight me every step of the way, my love?”
“I’m not your love.”
“In time, you will be,” he says, sounding very matter of fact.
“You can’t love a monster,” I hiss under my breath, hearing the girls gasp.
The American closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “You will treat me with respect, Savannah.”
“Like you have with me?” I counter, fearing my not-so-silver tongue is going to get the best of me here soon.
“Leave us,” he commands the rest of the girls. They quickly grab their plates and scurry out of the room. Eyebrows mutters something about the attic as she leaves, making the hair on my neck stand at attention.
I notice Tim giving me a tiny shake of the head. I don’t care; I won’t be here for much longer. One way or another, I will be leaving this house.