“Cheer up, sunshine,” the fat floral-dressed woman cooed. “Soon as we get our money, you’re outta here.”

I glared dully at her, not saying anything. With my feet and hands tied up, what was there to say – ‘please let me go free’? I’d already said that several times. Her and the other two beefy assholes guarding me in this derelict room were all but deaf to my pleas.

It had been several hours since I’d been taken, and I had no idea where I was or if anyone was coming for me. I could only hope that Jake and Owen had called the police or something.

The woman had caught me by surprise in the bathroom, just seeming like a middle-aged housewife asking for help. Only when she’d pressed a knife from under her cardigan into the small of my back had I realized what was going on.

We’d crept out of the bathroom, and I could even see Jake and Owen, busy with autographing, oblivious. I’d longed to cry out, but not willing to take the risk. I knew all too well how fatal a knife wound could be, and I had no plans of experiencing one firsthand.

Now here I was, stuck here for reasons I still wasn’t sure of. I’d heard some mention of money at some point, and figured that was the motivation for my kidnapping, but couldn’t quite wrap my head around Jake and Owen being tangled up with people like this.

The taller male guard stalked around me, his gaze roving over me uncomfortably.

“You better get used to it here.” He spoke with a Southern accent. “Your boyfriends are never going to come up with the money.”

“If it’s money you’re after, I’ll give it to you. I have money of my own; how much do you want?” I asked them.

“Well that’s not the way it works sweetheart,” the man said. “Your boys gotta come up with the boss’ cash or no dice.”

I shook my head. “What does it matter where the money comes from as long as you get it, right? If it makes you feel better, you can tell your boss the money came from them. No one but us four will know and then you can let me go. It’s a win-win.”

The woman let out a couple of laughs, which sounded like a donkey braying.

Now the other, shorter guard joined in. Strutting over, he nudged my leg with the toe of his boot. “Look at her. She actually thinks she’s getting out of here alive.”

They all laughed at that one. I closed my eyes; I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing the uncertainty in my gaze.

Although I didn’t doubt that the twins would find a way to pay whatever ransom these pigs were demanding, I did doubt that these assholes would just accept it and send me on my way. They seemed the types to take and take and take. It wouldn’t surprise me if they ended up taking the money and leaving me to rot here without telling the twins where I was. After all, I had seen their faces.

The door to the room opened and a man approached. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It was the same pudgy balding one who’d been staring back at me during the boxing match.

“How’ve you been liking your accommodations?” he said in a low voice.

When I didn’t respond, he continued, “Unfortunately for you, your friends have come into some money problems.” His gaze surveyed me appraisingly. “Luckily for you, I may have a solution for all of us.” He grinned, showcasing a silver grill.

“I already told your guards here that I have money. I can pay what they owe,” I said.

The fat man shook his head and donned a fake look of concern.

“Now how is that going to teach them their lesson? They don’t have to pay a dime and their girl comes back. They’re not going to learn not to fuck with me that way. No, I have another idea.”

I almost didn’t want to ask, but I had to. “What is it?”

“You work off the debt for them.”

A thousand horrible images flashed through my mind in that moment. What could he possibly want from me that was worth whatever money the guys owed? “How exactly?”

A smile twitched at the corner of his lips. “You know Roxanne’s?”

The strip club. I gave my head a small inclination of assent.

“Well,” he said. “It just so happens they have a back room that’s horribly understaffed and if you were to, say…”

“No,” I said sharply, cutting him off. “No way.”

I wasn’t going to let myself even think about what he was suggesting. I didn’t care how desperate things were – no way was I going to give into that.

The boss gave a resigned shrug. “Suit yourself. Just thought I’d give you a chance. Just remember that when the clock runs out.”

As he strode off, I consoled myself. Whatever these assholes said, I had a chance otherwise. A big promising chance – two ones, in fact. Owen and Jake would come for me. They had to.