Page 72 of Lie with Me
“Walk,” he directs, motioning the gun at the house. The three of us walk silently to the front door. Once we are under complete cover of darkness, the driver pulls out his phone and hits a button. “We’re here.”
Moments later, the front door creaks open, and we’re forced inside. Nino’s minion pokes me in the back with the barrel as we walk through the dark shadows of the house. It isn’t until we make it all the way to the back that we begin to hear voices. I’m pushed into a large room that’s washed in harsh yellow light with the shades drawn. There are several men standing around, mingling. Nino grabs me just as I cross the threshold, his face badly beaten.
“Your free pussy is tough, I’ll give him that,” he says with amusement.
“Where is he?” I demand.
“Exactly where I left him.”
“Nino!”
“Shut up!” He drags me into the center of the room.
“Attention, gentlemen,” he announces. “As promised, we have one last lot for auction.” He strips off my coat and pushes me so hard I fall forward onto my hands and knees in the middle of the room. “She’s a little banged up, but still in perfect working condition.”
“Nino!” Philly vocally attacks his brother. “Are you fucking crazy? That’s Tara!”
“I know who the fuck it is.” Nino pulls a gun on Philly and my heart stops. “Now, shut the fuck up or you’re next. Don’t make me hurt family.”
“You have lost your goddamn mind,” Philly condemns him.
“I was born on a path paved to Hell,” Nino returns with no remorse.
Philly glances at me on the floor. His daunting look tells me all I need to know. The only way out of this is death.
Nino lowers his gun then turns his attention back to me. Surrounded by a half dozen seedy men, he grabs my hair and pulls my face up, as if showing off merchandise.
“The bidding starts at fifteen thousand.”
“Fifteen.” Someone shouts immediately.
“Nino!” I struggle, but he yanks on my hair, causing me to cry out in pain.
“That’s right, Tara, show them your fear. You’ll fetch a better price,” he hisses in my ear.
“Asshole.” I shake scared out of my mind, my scalp on fire.
“Do I hear twenty thousand? I can tell you from experience, she’s worth every penny.”
My heart is ready to explode as a bidding war breaks out. Twenty, thirty, forty thousand dollars.
This can’t be happening.
“One hundred thousand dollars!” An anonymous voice bellows, silencing everyone. I nearly die on the spot.
A man appears from an obscure corner of the room, the group parting as he walks up to Nino and me. He’s wearing all black—boots, pants, and shirt—but it’s the baseball cap that gives him away.
“One hundred thousand dollars,” he publicizes with authority. With finality. “But I want to sample the merchandise first.” He glares down at me as I stare up. My stomach roils.
“Be my guest.” Nino lets go of my hair and steps back. His tone way too favorable.
I FEEL LIKE I’M FLOATING.
My stomach is sour, but the pain has virtually disappeared.
I found Nino and nearly finished him, but he got the upper hand. Actually, his sneaky scumbag friend did when he caught me behind the head with that fucking baseball bat. When I came to, I was tied to a table with my arms draped over the sides. I actually found satisfaction in his swollen bloody face before he slit both of my wrists.
I don’t know how long I have been lying here, but I surmise a while. My vision is nearly gone, my mouth is bone dry, and my veins are brittle. The one silver lining as I drip slowly to my death are the hallucinations, the visions of Tara smiling and laughing, wearing a diamond choker, calling my name. Beckoning me into the light.
