I try to follow Baldy, but he shuts the door too fast.
I have to get out of here.
I can't go back home.
No, no, no!
I try to free my hands, but the silk is tight around my skin. I stare out the front window. Badly and Roy are assessing the damage.
Baldy walks to the trunk, pops it open, then opens a floorboard. He pulls a tire out and carries it to the front.
I glance around the vehicle, trying to find something sharp, but I don't see anything.
Think!
I gaze down at my feet and then get an idea. I put my wrists as close to the floor as possible, then lift my legs between my arms, pushing my stiletto heel on the silk fabric, hoping I don't slice my hand.
It takes a few moments, but it finally cuts through the material. My pulse increases, and I debate about going through the driver's door or trunk.
I finally decide that the trunk is the easiest. I take off my shoes and hold them by the ankle straps. There's no way I can run in them.
I wait for both men to bend down and then I slide over the seat, taking my shoes with me. I step onto the blacktop.
"She's out!" Roy yells.
I take off, running across the street, unsure where I am or where I'm going. I turn the corner and slide past groups of people out for the night. Several of them yell at me, but I don't stop.
"Get back here!" Baldy orders.
I turn another corner, run past a valet stand, and then up to a bouncer-looking man. There's a red rope in front of the door.
"You here for the auction?" he asks.
I have no clue what he's talking about, but I'm not about to ask. I reply, "Yes."
"You're late," he states.
"Sorry." I glance behind me. Baldy and Roy are fifty feet away.
The bouncer lifts the red rope and opens the door, motioning for me to go past. He shouts, "Maureen. The last girl is here."
I slide inside, and a sign statesClub Indulgence. Members Only.
A woman with fire-red hair grabs my arm and tugs me through a hallway, claiming, "You don't have a lot of time."
I say nothing, following her, my heart still pounding and hoping the Members Only statement on the sign is true. Surely Baldy and Roy aren't part of this club?
Maureen leads me down several dark hallways until we get to the end. She opens the door on the right. A dozen women wear risqué outfits. Excited chatter fills the room, and Maureen points to another woman holding a clipboard. Maureen states, "The last one showed up."
The woman looks at the list and asks, "What's your name, darling?"
"Blakely Fox."
She peers closer at the paper, then states, "You aren't on the list."
Panic hits me. I don't know what this list is, but I can't go back outside. I blurt out, "Is that an issue?"
She glances at me, then shakes her head. She writes it in and adds, "Must be your lucky night. Number twelve hasn't shown up. You can take her spot."