Page 134 of Hidden

They think they have all the time in the world. In the new quiet that follows, I hear footsteps They’re heavier than the previous men, and they stop outside the door.

The lock turns with a thick, metallic sound that echoes in the small room and the door opens. I stop breathing, what can they do to me now?

The door opens fully and a woman steps through first. She is nothing like the men who brought me here. Her dress is sharp, expensive, and perfectly tailored. Designer heels strike the concrete with clean, deliberate clicks that echo through the small room as she walks closer. She stops a few feet away and tilts her head, studying me.

When she smiles, it’s slow and empty. And just that look makes my whole body shiver.

“You’re still standing,” she says.

Her voice is smooth and low, almost pleasant, but it slides under my skin like cold metal. It makes the fine hairs on my arms rise.

Behind her, a man follows. He matches her in every way, polished shoes, immaculate coat, and the quiet confidence of someone who expects the world to move around him. Together they look like they belong on the front of a magazine. In this freezing room, with my arms bound and blood drying on my chin, they feel more dangerous than anyone who has put their hands on me already tonight.

The man stops beside her, he doesn’t speak at first, he simply looks at me, his expression is unreadable, as if he’s already deciding something.

The woman circles me once, her heels clicking softly. I force myself not to flinch, and not to shrink away, even though every instinct tells me to.

“She has fight left,” the woman remarks. “That never lasts long.”

She stops in front of me again. Her gaze moves over the rope, the bruises, the way I’m forced to stand. There’s no anger in her face, only ownership.

“This is your life now,” she says simply. “The sooner you understand that the easier it will be for you.”

My stomach tightens. I keep my chin up and say nothing. I won’t say anything, I’m not letting them get to me.

The man steps closer and the air seems to shrink around him.

“People always believe someone is coming for them at first,” he says. “They count the hours. They make promises to themselves and then the days pass, and the weeks, and eventually they stop believing.” He studies my face. “You will stop believing too.”

The woman smiles again, that same elegant, hollow smile.

“We’re very patient,” she says softly. “We can wait as long as it takes.” She smiles before continuing to talk. “I’ll let him have fun first." She turns and places her hand on his chest, licking her lips, and looks up at him. "Taste her, kiss her."

The man smiles, licks his lips, takes a step forward, and I freeze. I can’t fight because my legs are too heavy to move, my arms are bound, and what the fuck am I supposed to do?

He stops not even an inch away from me, his finger moving along my jaw to my ear, then the back of my neck, and before I can do anything he pulls me forward, and his lips are on mine. I fight as much as I can, but there’s only so much I can do. He pushes his tongue between my lips, and I hear him moan.

I’m going to be sick, I know I am.

He pulls away, and the most sickening smile spreads across his lips.

“Oh, that turned me on.” The woman behind him takes a step closer to the man, then kisses him. It’s not a simple kiss, no this is a full on kiss, I hear her moan into his mouth, and the whole time his eyes are locked on mine.

Finally breaking the kiss, she turns back to me. “Be happy, you're special. I’m going to let him have some fun with you before the auction starts.” My eyes widen, and I glance at the man, then back to her. “Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you, I'll be watching.” She takes a step closer to me, she brings her hand closer to me, and I see her perfectly polished nails as the tip moves over my jaw, over my lip. She’s close enough I can smell the expensive perfume, and she leans closer and kisses me. What the fuck is wrong with these two people?

She glances at the man, something unspoken passes between them. Then she turns and walks back toward the door, her heels echoing like a slow countdown. The man lingers one second longer, his eyes locked on mine, before following her out. The door closes, the lock turns with a thick, final sound.

I look at Renee, who hasn't looked my way once. I feel the tear drop escape the corner of my eye.

“Have you met…”

“I’ve never met them, and don’t want to,” she says turning her body to look at me.

“I wasn’t expecting them to be running this fucked up business they have made for themselves.” I look around to see if there is a camera in here or not. I see one but the light isn’t flashing, so did they turn it off while they were in here?

They’re not angry.

They’re not rushed.