No answer.

Shit.

I try the other doors and they all open, which means that door is where Claire lays. The only way I’ll get in is through the back window, assuming it’s unlocked and actually has one. I rush down the hall and out into the lounge area. I sway my hips, leaning down to a whore and asking for a smoke. She hands me one.

I put it in my lips, making out like I’m going outside to have it. I wink at bikers as I walk past, sashaying towards the back door.

I step out and rush down the back steps. I hear the door creak open just as I am in the darkness, and I suck in a breath, pressing myself to the old, moldy walls of the house. I close my eyes.

A moment later, the door slams shut. I listen for a second longer, but no sounds come my way. Taking a deep breath, I rush to the end of the house to where I would assume the window would be in Howard’s room. I find one; I can see a dull glow coming from inside. I test it, surprised when it slides up easily. My heart pounds as I find something to help me get through. I come up with an old crate.

It takes me a few minutes to silently drag it over. I climb onto it and swing my leg into the window. There’s a girl on the bed, her hands cuffed to the bedhead. I stare at her, saddened. Her face is battered. She’s got a fat lip, a black eye, and her blond hair is matted with blood. Her eyes dart to me and widen.

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “I’m here to help you.”

She stares at me, one of her eyes half shut. I rush over, leaning down close. “My name is Santana, I’m a friend of Ash’s. We’re going to get you out of here. Do you know where the key for these cuffs are?”

She nods, wincing in pain as she rasps, “He put them in the drawer on the desk.”

I turn and run over, sliding the drawer open. I notice the keys just as I hear a voice down the hall. “Yeah, not a sound from her, Prez. Bitch has been quiet.”

Fuck.

My eyes shoot to Claire’s, and her face scrunches with fear. I shut the drawer and run to the window, pulling it down quietly. I don’t have time to climb out. I duck behind Howard’s desk, which luckily for me is positioned near some curtains that I use to shield myself.

I hear the door open and heavy footfalls fill the quiet space.

“Still here, sweetheart.” He chuckles. “Didn’t think you’d go far. Don’t worry; your friend has decided to trade her life for yours. You’ll be free soon.”

“A-a-a-ash?” she croaks.

He laughs. “Yeah, Ash. Goin’ to have fun with her before I slit her throat.”

Claire makes a strangled sound and I clench my eyes shut, praying he doesn’t come too close.

“Maybe I’ll have fun with you before I let you go. I’m in need of some good pussy.”

Please, no.

I chant this over and over in my head.

Please don’t let him rape her. There’s no way I can sit through that.

“Please, don’t,” Claire croaks, echoing my thoughts.

“You’re too pitiful for a man like me, anyway,” he grunts. “I like them wild.”

I want to breathe a sigh of relief, but even the idea of breathing scares me right now. I don’t know how much time I have left, but I hope he leaves soon or I’m in trouble. Maddox will come back, and he’ll make a scene if I don’t contact him soon.

That’s the last thing we need.

“Speaking of pussy,” Howard says, “I might just go find some.”

Thank God.

He walks over towards the door, and I catch a glimpse of him. He’s a big man, with a long, dark beard and an old, wrinkled face. Faded tattoos run up his neck. He’s been at it a long time. He stares at Claire again, then he steps out and slams the door. Locking it.

I finally breathe.

My heart pounds fast as I wait for a few minutes, then I slip out from behind the desk. I open the drawer, take the keys and rush over to Claire. I lean down, whispering, “I’m coming back for you. I promise.”

She nods, her eyes watering.

I reach up and squeeze her hand before slipping out the window again. I pull my phone out and text Maddox.

S – I can get her out. It’s time.

M – Ten minutes, baby. We’ll be there.

I hate when he calls me baby; hate and love it. I shove the thought aside as I rush back inside the clubhouse. I see Howard again when I step through the back door, but he barely gives me a second glance as I shimmy down the hall. I slip into the room Jayger was in to find him already naked on the bed.

“Fuck, that took ages. What did you do in there?”

“I needed a smoke,” I mutter.

He takes hold of his cock and strokes it. He’s a good-looking man, sure, but I want to go over and bite that cock right off. It takes everything inside me not to gag. I force a smile, hoping Maddox hurries up and causes a distraction.

I take my time, swinging my hips and doing little spins. Jayger seems to appreciate my efforts, and it buys me some time. I slide my hands seductively over my body, grinning at him as I move. He grins back, jerking his cock harder and faster. At this rate, he’ll have nothing to offer.

That’s exactly how I want it.

Commotion breaks out in the lounge, and I hear someone bark, “Jokers’.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. I turn my eyes to Jayger, but he’s already up, pulling on some jeans. “Stay here,” he barks.

He rushes out of the room, and I wait a minute before following him. I step into the lounge, and all the bikers are loading guns. Shit. Fuck. What if they hurt them? I slide out the back door, my heart pounding as I run around to Claire’s room once more. I couldn’t get her out earlier, because I needed to know Maddox was here before I ran.