I wake up, my head in a fog. It takes me a few minutes to remember what happened. It all comes rushing back and I quickly sit up or at least try to, but it’s damn near impossible with my hands tied behind my back. My legs are bound too, it looks like duct tape is wrapped around my ankles.

“So you are awake.” A nasally voice reaches my ears as I turn to face the direction it came from. Sitting before me is an older woman dangling a roll of duct tape on one of her manicured fingers. “Wasn’t expecting you to be out for so long, but,” she shrugs, “such things don’t matter.”

“Who the hell are you?” I hiss, upset with myself for getting caught, angry that I got my ass kicked.

“I will be your worst nightmare,” the woman replies.

“Didn’t ask who you wished you were, bitch,” I spit at her. “I asked who you were.”

“My name is not of importance,” she seethes. “All that matters is that I have you, and that means I have a shot at Ron.” My eyes widen in shock at her words. What does Ron have to do with all of this?

“Ah, curious are you?” the woman replies. “Let’s just say he took something precious from me. But he underestimated me.” She makes a tsking sound. “His plans should change as long as I have you.”

“What do I have to do with all this?” I ask. “I’m nothing to him!”

“Au contraire,” she waggles a finger at me “You mean quite a lot. You are my insurance policy.”

“Then you fucked up big time.” I cast her a wry smile. “Ron won’t come.” I didn’t let her see the pang of sadness stabbing my heart. As much I was hoping I was bluffing, a large piece of me knew it to be true. He has no interest in me, he only cares about Lexi. And to think I gave him my virginity. On the plus side, I guess I won’t die a virgin after all.

“He might not,” she huffs. “But I doubt it, you aren’t my only plan.” She gestures to her left. Hesitantly, my eyes follow her and my face screws up in shock and grim pleasure. Against the wall sits Lexi. Tears stream down her face. Her mascara has run down her cheeks that look bruised. Her hands look like they’re bound behind her back and her ankles are tucked up under her. I can see they’re wrapped in silver tape. I try to hide a smirk at the sight of a piece of tape over her mouth.

“See?” the woman responds, commanding my attention again. Turning, I jump in shock as her face is suddenly mere inches from mine. “I have the upper hand in all things.”

“What does that bitch have to do with anything?” I reply, trying desperately to mask my fear.

“For starters, she told me all about her and Ron.” The woman brushes a strand of hair from my face, the gentle gesture contradicting her sneer. “Rough her up enough and she sings like a canary. Besides, I knew she was working for him, she was less than subtle.” She gives me a smug smile. “She also told me all about you, I know you are his … play thing.” I look at her quizzically, Lexi never knew I was Ron’s anything really, this woman has another informant, a second source of information; and that fact frightens me. This woman is prepared to try take down Ron, and she’s actually planned ahead it seems.

“So?” I bluff, trying not to show the panic ever-growing inside of me. I needed a plan, and getting this unknown person to talk has to be the start. “That still doesn’t prove that he is coming for me. I am nothing in his eyes.” My heart aches again at him not feeling the same about me as I do about him, this time the pain in my eyes is genuine when I look at her.

“Oh, he’ll come.” She smiles evilly at me. “He can’t resist helping a girl in need, and you my dear,” she looks me up and down appraisingly, “are definitely in need of help.”

“Sure.” I close my eyes to keep from rolling them. Unbeknownst to her, I’m moving my hands back and forth against the tape at my wrist. It’s un-mercilessly hot in this room, and thankfully my sweat has been loosening the stickiness. “He’s not gonna come and you’ve just wasted a lot of time and resources on nothing.”

“Shut your mouth!” My head jerks sharply to the side, causing my neck to crack. My cheek stings from her backhand, but I don’t mind the pain. Pain keeps you grounded when you want to panic. “You don’t know what I am capable of! I will end you before he ever reaches you. And once I end you, I will end him,” she spits, her voice full of fury.

“He may not come for me, but you can be damn sure he’ll find you,” I reply, turning to look at her. I can feel my face starting to swell from her hit.

“How can he?” She laughs. “He doesn’t even know where I am.”

“How do you know?” I say smugly. “This is his town, he knows every inch of it.”

“Oh, my dear,” she gives me an evil grin, “who said we were in his town?”