3. Hannah

My feet are throbbing and, by the time I reach the convenience store, the kids have taken off. I grab the door, pull and it doesn't open. Glancing up, I see the "closed" sign hanging right in front of me and my heart drops sickeningly. Dammit. Now what am I going to do?

Spinning around, I race away from the store and risk a look over my shoulder. The behemoth is still chasing me down and he's getting way too close for comfort. My stupid shoes pinch my feet with every step and a fear like I've never known before washes over me. I don't see any people on the street and panic rises up hard and fast. Whipping around a corner, I figure my best bet is to duck between a couple of dark houses and lose him. Then I can backtrack, go over to my neighbor's place and call the police from there.

Unfortunately, things don't always work out the way you plan.

It takes me a second to realize my pursuer is no longer behind me. The thump of his boots is gone and I pause, breathing hard, and lean a hand against the side of the house. Where did he go? Did he give up? Is he heading back to his car? Did I manage to outsmart him? Or, maybe I tired him out?

Completely frozen, too terrified to move, I listen to the sounds of the night. Listen for him. Pulling in a steadying breath, I creep forward and peer around the corner…

And he comes charging at me from out of the darkness!

A scream rips from my throat and I turn to run, but he grabs me around the waist and hauls me right up off my feet. Kicking and thrashing, I try to break free, but it's like trying to escape two steel bands wrapped around me. His grip is so tight, and I can barely breathe much less escape.

"Stop fighting," he growls into my ear, tightening his hold.

His voice is a raspy, scary hiss and I instantly stop struggling and do the complete opposite—go entirely slack in his arms, catching him off-guard. With a curse, he shifts his hold and then throws me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Facing the ground, I bounce against his wide back as he rounds the corner. I keep my eyes peeled, though, looking for a pedestrian or someone I can yell to for help, but no one is around. Just my bad luck.

My kidnapper sticks to the shadows and it doesn't take him long to reach an SUV parked at the curb. He carelessly tosses me into the back seat and I scramble up, surveying my surroundings. Somehow, I need to figure out a way to escape.

The car has blacked-out windows and, even though I know they're locked, I try pulling on the door handle. Okay, so there's no way out of this vehicle. Once we get to wherever we're headed, maybe I can try to make a run for it once he lets me out.

Squeezing my hands into fists, I bury my fear and force my brain to focus on a solution, a way out. There has to be something I can do. Just giving up isn't who I am. I've always been a fighter and I will go down fighting. But, I'm also a realist and my prospects look decidedly grim.

Figuring my best option is to wait it out, I hang tight, keeping a close eye on where we're going. There isn't much traffic and it's not long before the SUV pulls up in front of a hotel. Frowning, I wait until the back door opens and I come face to face with my stone-faced kidnapper. God, he's huge. Tilting my chin up, I stare right back at him, refusing to be intimidated or back down.

Behemoth lets out a snort then motions for me to get out. Slowly sliding off the seat, I keep one eye on him while quickly accessing my options. Sadly, I don't really have any. Except make a run for it, so that's what I do. As if he's expecting it, my kidnapper grabs me in a lightning-fast move and jerks me back next to him.

"Nice try," he grumbles then yanks me toward the front door of the hotel.

Hope rekindles and I know there must be employees inside. I could call out to them and they'll help me, right?

Wrong.

It only takes a minute to realize that the two employees at the front desk aren't going to do a thing to help me. They ignore my call and pretend like they don't even see me. Clearly, they're in on whatever is going on here. Or, more than likely, they've been paid off to ignore anything suspicious. Like a damsel in distress.

And this huge man dragging me into the elevator against my will is certainly classified as suspicious.

"Give it up, little girl," Behemoth states. "It's game over for you."

My stomach twists with dread. "You're taking me to Creed, aren't you?"

"You owe him a lot of money."

Well, he's right about that. There's no point in talking to Creed's minion any further, so I wait until I'm face to face with the loan shark himself. Once we reach the penthouse and step out of the elevator, I get to see Dexter Creed up close and personal for the first time. And he's just as intimidating as I would've guessed. Maybe even more so.

Creed's gaze slithers down my body and I try not to cringe. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I have to say, I'm glad you didn't have the money to just pay off your debt, Miss Everson. Meeting you in person is a nice surprise."

I swallow down the nasty retort on the tip of my tongue, but my eyes narrow. I hate this man already. It's my own fault, though. Instead of researching him and the miraculous check that seemed to appear out of nowhere, I didn't question anything. I ran to the bank, cashed it as quickly as possible and paid for my mom's care. With hindsight, I suppose I would've done the exact same thing. My mom's comfort and care, especially in her final days, was the most important thing in the world to me. Okay, I'm in a shitload of trouble now, but at least I can say I did everything within my power to make sure my mom was taken care of.

So, yeah, zero regrets.

But now it's time to pay the piper. Or, in this case, Dexter Creed.

While Creed studies me, I scope him out right back. His sparse, blond hair is slicked back off his face and he sports a thin mustache. The look suits him, reminding me of a weasel. Slick, smart and quick. And, definitely not to be trusted. When he gives me a smarmy smile, I try not to grimace.

"You're younger than I thought you'd be." Once again, his attention roams over me and I do my best to ignore the creepiness factor skittering down my spine. "How old are you, Hannah?"

I lift my chin. "Twenty-two," I state, keeping my voice firm and steady even though on the inside, I'm quaking. Like a leaf in a windstorm. But I don't want him to know that.

"Spirited, too. I like that." He takes a step closer, but I don't back down. "Fearless. Although, you should be very afraid of me, little one."

I don't respond, just stare straight into his pale blue eyes. Now, instead of a weasel, I'm getting snake vibes. That empty look in his gaze is unsettling. I'm about to move away when he chuckles softly.

"Maybe I should keep you for myself."

"What?" My jaw drops and I wonder if I misheard him.

But he ignores me. "You owe me quite a nice chunk of change. Can you pay me back?"

I clear my throat. "I can pay you back…if you'll be kind enough to allow a payment plan. I just need a little more time and I know we can work something out if?—"

"I don't do payment plans." His mouth edges up in a sneer. "So, here's the deal, Hannah, and I suggest you listen very closely. You have two choices. One, my guy here breaks your arm then returns in three days to collect the money. If you still don't have it, he's going to break your other arm. That process will continue with your legs. Once there's nothing left to break…well, I'm sure you can guess what happens."

Shit. My stomach sinks because there's no way I can pay him back within that short amount of time. I'd need months, years even. "What's the other option?" I whisper, even though I have a feeling I'd rather not know.

"Choice two is easy and will clear your debt by morning."

My ears perk up. By morning? How is that possible?

"Are you still a virgin, Hannah?"

Oh, God.Bile crawls up the back of my throat. "I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"It has everything to do with what I'm about to propose."

One night in his bed.It has to be that and there's no way in hell I'd sleep with this vile man. I'd rather have my arms and legs broken.

"Tonight at midnight, I'm hosting an auction. But to participate, you must have something extremely valuable to auction off. Something a man will pay an exorbitant and indecent amount of money to obtain."

The pieces begin to click. This piece of shit wants me to auction off my virginity.

"I think that sweet cherry of yours will bring me much more than you owe me. So, as tempting as it is to keep you for myself…" His gaze skates down my body again and I swallow back the vomit, "I'd rather have the cold, hard cash."

A thousand thoughts fly through my head and I need to handle the situation with Creed carefully. If I agree to sell my virginity to the highest bidder, my debt will be paid. Done. No looking over my shoulder and running again. Quick and easy.

But, I don't think I could sleep with a complete stranger. I haven't been saving myself, but the opportunity to have sex hasn't really presented itself, either. I've been too busy working and taking care of my mother. Dating and men have been the last thing on my mind.

Could I close my eyes and just go through the motions? A shiver runs through me. It would be awful and humiliating. Not to mention awkward and painful.

"Well? I don't have all night. Yes or no?" he asks coldly.

Despite being scared out of my mind to give my virginity to a total stranger, I should just agree right now and, in the meantime, come up with an escape plan. I need to buy some time. "Okay," I relent softly. "If you promise to clear my debt then…I'll do it. I'll auction off my virginity."

It kills me to say the words, but I'll be damned before I actually go through with it. My options are extremely slim right now and Creed knows that.

"Good. And, yes, that will erase what you owe me." He turns to his goon and orders him to take me to room 222. "Go freshen up and make yourself presentable. There's an outfit in the closet you can wear during the auction."

As I turn to leave, racking my brain for a plan, I hear Creed's final words.

"Wise decision, Hannah. I would've hated destroying a creature as lovely as you."

Completely revolted, I follow Behemoth, ignoring Creed who laughs as I walk out. The giant escorts me to a hotel room on the second floor and then nods for me to go inside. Once I step into the room, I shut the door and see there's no security latch. Dammit. A quick look through the peephole tells me Behemoth isn't going anywhere. He's standing guard right outside my door. Great. How the hell am I going to escape?

I hurry over and drag the curtains open. The windows are securely latched and the drop is too far to chance a jump. A quick glance around tells me I'm stuck in here.

"Shit," I whisper. What the hell am I going to do? At this point, it seems like my only option is to get ready and then once I'm at the auction, I can try to run away. That's really cutting it close, though, and there's always the possibility I might not be able to escape. Being sold to a man like chattel makes me sick. Having my arms and legs broken also doesn't sit well with me.

If it comes down to it, can I do it? Can I sleep with a stranger? I suppose I could let my mind float somewhere else and how long is it really going to last, anyway? Ten minutes? Realistically, it will be a small amount of time to sacrifice. I'm tough. If necessary, I can suck it up, spread my legs and pray he's gentle. Whoever the pervert is who buys a young girl's virginity.

Eww.

I suppose I should get ready. If I'm going to have to do this, if there's truly no other way out, then I want to at least look good enough that someone will bid. It is an auction, after all, and I can't imagine the humiliation I'd feel if no one wanted me.

Walking over to the closet, I open the door and want to cry when I see the "outfit" I'm supposed to wear. It's nothing more than a wispy piece of lingerie. Silky sheer, predictably white and with lace embroidered edges.

I can't believe I'm going to do this. How has my life come to this?

Heart pounding madly, I lay the lingerie on the bed, drop down on the edge of the mattress and cry. Cry my eyes out until there's nothing left to do except wash my face, get dressed and suck it up.