The next picture was her wrapped in only a towel after taking a shower. She was afraid to move to the next picture as tears rolled down her cheeks. She placed the picture under the next then covered her mouth as the final picture revealed her completely naked.
“Oh God!” she exclaimed and began to cry. She fixed the photos and placed everything exactly as it was back into the envelope. Just then the door opened, and she screamed.
Susanna stood in shock. Then panic covered her face before Paula fell to her knees, crying hysterically.
* * * *
Matt and Tyler saw the activity going on near the back room just as they saw Sheriff Parker and a bunch of deputies walk through the club and straight to the back hallway.
“That’s where Paula went,” Matt told Tyler.
“Shit! Let’s go.” Tyler felt his heart pounding inside of his chest. Fear gripped his insides. Paula was their woman now, and he couldn’t wait to make love to her and teach her about their lifestyle. So far, she was completely responsive and just a bit fearful. As they approached the hallway, one of the deputies tried to stop them.
“Sorry, guys, but this hall is off-limits right now.”
Tyler and Matt both saw Alexa at the same time.
She quickly went to them.
“It’s okay. They can come down here.”
The deputy let them through then guarded the hallway again.
Tyler and Matt followed Alexa into the staff room, and there was Paula standing in the corner of the room, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held a yellow envelope against her chest. Her knuckles looked white from her strong grip and she was shaking her head at Sheriff Parker and Detective Parrone.
“Honey, you need to calm down and let us see the envelope,” the sheriff asked calmly, and then Ava and Susanna did as well, but she shook her head.
Tyler and his brother walked further into the room, and suddenly Paula caught sight of them and she cried harder. He wondered what the hell was in the envelope and what had scared her like this. He wanted to help her, protect her, take her into his arms, and console her. The sheriff stopped him from moving closer.
“You really shouldn’t be in here.”
“Sure we should. Paula is our woman and she needs us.” His statement sent a brisk feeling of power through the room. The sheriff raised his eyebrows at him then toward Paula.
“The guy sent her another envelope. We need to take a look but she’s scared,” he whispered to him as Ava tried to get Paula to release the envelope and sit down. She shook her head.
“I can’t. You all can’t see this,” she told them.
“Okay, I want to clear out the room. Everyone out,” Detective Parrone directed, and the women reluctantly walked out of the room. It was just Paula, Tyler, Matt, the sheriff, and the detective.
Tyler moved closer to her and held her gaze. She was really shaken up.
“Baby, you need to let them see the envelope. There could be fingerprints on it,” Matt told her calmly and with patience.
She shook her head.
“Hand over the envelope now, Paula,” Tyler demanded. She stared at him, shocked that he would use his dominant tone at a time like this. He needed to calm her and get the damn envelope away from her so he could help her.
“It’s embarrassing and scary.” More tears rolled down her cheeks.
He felt horrible and he nearly faltered, but the sheriff needed the envelope. They needed to catch the asshole responsible.
“Whatever is in it, we’ll get through it together. Now don’t make me ask you again.”
He walked closer and reached his hand out slowly. Instead of handing it over, she threw herself into his arms and cried. He picked her up and consoled her as Matt took the envelope from her hand.
She clung to him tightly, and he rubbed her back and her hair as she sobbed against his shoulder. He sat down in a chair as she straddled his waist and kept her face hidden.
“It’s gonna be all right, baby. I’ve got you now. Matt and I are here,” he whispered, and then Matt knelt down beside the chair and caressed her hair and her shoulder.