“Why come in here?” He’s closer to me, but I don’t turn to look at him.
I shrug. “I just ended up in here.”
“Close your eyes.” Lucca is right behind me, and my eyelids flutter closed at his command.
“What did you see?”
I open my eyes. I don’t want to go back there. His warm, large hand rests on my shoulder. “I’m here with you.”
I close my eyes. I’m behind the crates. Lying in wait as I knew we were docking soon. I had overheard the security talking about dropping off the crates, and I knew this was my chance; My only chance at getting out.
I figured getting into a crate would be the best thing to do. Only that day, I couldn’t get it open, so I lay behind them as the room filled up with security.
“The guards all stood in the center of the room,” I say. “I remember them creating a circle, all looking bewildered and looking around. Then three men appeared, all dressed in black; even their faces were covered. They stepped out from the shadows.”
I hadn’t known they were there. I wasn’t sure if they knew I was here. I doubt it, or they would have taken me, too.
Lucca’s hand squeezes my shoulder. “They had these darts, black darts with red-feathered heads. They shot them at the security. I think they drugged them.” I open my eyes and look down at all the pools of dried blood. “They staggered but kept the circle.” My hands start to tremble, and I need to see it’s Lucca behind me. I turn, and his hand slips from my shoulder. “They had long swords, and it was quick, so quick.”
Lucca nods. “Through all this, they didn’t see you?”
I hold my head high. “No, I was getting sick behind a crate. I waited until they left. Found my way back to my room, and that’s where they found me.”
“What about the girls?”
Leah’s screams pierce me now. “I don’t know. I heard Leah screaming, and when I got back to the room, they were gone. All of them.” And I did nothing but pray that I wasn’t caught.
Lucca doesn’t stay any longer but leads me off the ship. He’s mulling overall, I’ve told him, and is quiet in the limo. For me, I have this growing sensation like something bad is going to happen.
“Your relationship with Igor? What is it?”
“I’ve only met him three times. He’s our keeper.”
Lucca’s watching me intently.
“Each group of girls has a keeper who’s responsible for our safety. I often heard the security talking about keeping us safe, or they would have to answer to Igor.”
“Does Igor know you were on the loading dock?”
The other shoe drops, and I understand the bad sensation that’s been spinning around in my stomach.
I shake my head. “I was in too much shock when he questioned me. I didn’t mean…” I trail off.
“I didn’t lie,” I quickly say.
“I just…” I trail off again. My lie’s not helping me. Lucca doesn’t react to anything I’m saying, and I have no idea what that means for me.
We arrive back at the penthouse, and I take a look up at the large building and let out a heavy breath. I was tired of men and their power they held over us. The door is opened, and I get out. The moment we step into the penthouse, I stop. Two men are waiting for Lucca. One I’ve never seen before, the other I know. Sacha. He works on the boat. He traps me with a look that Lucca doesn’t notice as he removes his jacket and hands it to Pavel.
“I hope you have some good news for me.” Lucca steps into the living space, and Sacha releases my gaze. I don’t leave. No one asks me to.
“Autopsy report.” Sacha hands the file to Lucca, but he keeps snatching quick glances my way.
“Interesting. Blood loss.” Lucca snaps the file shut, and even I know there is something wrong. A shift in his stance. “Their blood was clean.”
“If that’s what the report says.” Sacha hands over more files. “The roster and also the loading dock inventory.”
“Thank you.” Lucca takes them and quickly looks over the files.
Leah’s screams assault me, but the longer Sacha and I look at each other, the clearer that memory is becoming. He was on the ship that day. It was only the back of his head I had seen; he was moving through the hallways. He didn’t see me. But I saw him.
CHAPTER SEVEN
LUCCA
After Sacha leaves, Evie tries to scramble out of the room.
“Stay where you are.” Her shoulders tense, but she has the sense not to leave.
All her lies, all these lies, I tighten my grip on the files before I throw them down on the couch.
The impact isn’t loud, but Evie flinches.
“You looked afraid when you saw Sacha.”
Evie had been chewing her lip and now stops and shakes her head.
She’s afraid. I can see it. She’s also lying.
“The conversation you had with Igor, what exactly was it?” I ask her and step closer.
“I told you, I was in shock.”
“Try to remember, Evie.” I bark, stepping closer and clap my hands once. Making her understand that she needs to focus.
Her eyes fall to the floor. She won’t look at me, and I stop walking. Irritation tightens my fists.
“If you don’t help me, I will never find those girls.” The moment that Evie notices my clenched fists, I unclench them. “Right
