I could take down two men.
I would just have to do it one at a time.
I went to the door and knocked. “Hey, assholes!”
Footsteps sounded before the door opened. One of the lackeys stared at me, his gun in his holster and the annoyance in his eyes. He obviously didn’t care about his babysitting gig, but his eyes roamed over my body without any shame. “What?”
“What do you mean, what?” I placed both hands on my hips. “I’m locked in this room without water. Even a dog gets a water bowl.”
“And you sound like a dog…”
I let the insult slide because I had bigger fish to fry. “Get me a glass of water.”
“Please.”
“Now,” I pressed, crossing my arms over my chest. I turned around and shut the door in his face.
He sighed from the other side of the wood then walked away.
I was trying to get under his skin, trying to anger him so he wouldn’t think logically. Then I would be able to make my move when he was distracted.
He returned a moment later with the water.
“Took you long enough.” I took the glass then kicked the door shut with my foot.
He sighed again, this time louder.
I drank the entire glass and waited an appropriate amount of time before I made my move. Just when I stood up to knock on the door, the lock turned and Knuckles presented himself. A beefy man with a malicious gaze, he was terrifying.
I did my best to pretend he wasn’t.
“Good, you’re here.” I tossed the cup at him. “More water.” I was the victim in this situation, but I had to exert my power as much as possible. I had to remind him I was a human being, not a punching bag.
He caught it with one hand, his lip curling into a smile. “Your brother has agreed to make the trade. Looks like you’re going home.” He approached the bed and took a seat, his eyes examining my neck. “If I hadn’t wanted Sapphire for so long, I would just keep you instead. We’d be in the Cayman Islands by now, and I’d be breaking you in.”
I forced my body not to shiver in disgust. I’d rather die than let this man get on top of me. I’d even slit my own throat if I had to. I was relieved I would be free soon, but I was repulsed that my friend would take my place. I didn’t want her to be his victim, to be subjected to the torture he had in mind. “You should keep me. I’m a lot more valuable than she is.”
“Yeah?” he asked with interest. “How so?”
“I’m a Barsetti. I come from an honorable family. I’m not the kind of woman who just gives up.”
“Sounds like you’re giving up to me, by taking her place.”
“No. That’s me still fighting.”
His eyes roamed over my body, particularly my legs. “I’ve seen very few women who have your kind of beauty. The color of your skin…your hair…your curves.” He didn’t touch me, but the way his eyes roamed over my body was enough to make me feel sick. “But with Sapphire, it’s personal.”
“What did she do?”
“Her brother stole from me. So taking her is his way of repaying his debt.”
“Why don’t you just ask him for the money?”
He grinned. “Because I already killed him.”
My body turned to ice.
“So I have to make this trade. I’m sure she’ll enjoy the Cayman Islands.”
“And you think I won’t tell Conway where you’re taking her?”
“I hope you do,” he said. “He’ll come to my turf and be outnumbered. I’ll kill him and the rest of his family. And then I’ll come after you.” He winked then walked out of the bedroom.
I told myself not to be scared, that fear would only shatter my resolve. If I let it get to me, I might lose the strength to try to escape. Right now, running was my only option. If I could get away, I could save both Sapphire and myself in the process.
But that was easier said than done.
I knocked on the door.
The same man who gave me the water answered. “What?”
“I’ve got to take a piss.”
He remained in my way. “Then go.”
“I’m not peeing my pants. Gross.”
“I’m not letting you out of there.” He kept one hand on the door, blocking my path with his size. “So pee in that empty cup.”
“I don’t have a dick like you do.”
His eyes moved down. “I’m going to need proof.”
I didn’t hesitate before I kicked him in the shin.
He groaned then flinched, his torso jerking down as he moved to grab his leg.
This wasn’t part of the plan, but I had to take advantage of the opportunity and go for it. I yanked the gun out of his holster, clicked off the safety, and shot him in the head.