“I’m sorry, what act?”Mina tried to calm the frustration and anxiety that made her palms sweat and her heart gallop in her chest.
“Where’s your collar, sweetness?”
Mina’s hand flew to her throat.She got more and more confused and tense as the seconds passed.“I’m sorry...”
“Grant, we can’t just let her go in.She’ll be eaten alive before herdaddyfinds her.”
Grant nodded.“Yeah, I agree.”
Her teeth snapped together.“Now listen, I have to go in.If I don’t show up, I probably won’t see him for another few years.”
“Wow, I’m sorry,” Stacy said.“That really sucks.”She turned to the man again.“What do we do, Grant?”
“Have her sign the necessary papers, and I’ll call Norm and give him a heads up.He’ll help her find her daddy.”
“All right.What’s your name?”
“Mina.”
Stacy grinned.“Mine is Stacy.You need to read and sign these disclaimers before you go in.”
She skimmed through the three sheets of paper and caught a few words before signing her name at the bottom of each.They’d wasted so much time already.She was afraid her father would get pissed and leave, so she ended up reading every third paragraph.
Stacy tilted her head to the side.“Do you have any questions?”
She shook her head as she handed Stacy the papers.
“Grant will get someone to guide you.It’s for your protection.If you need anything, tell them you want to talk to me.I’ll be here in the lobby all night.”
She relaxed her shoulders.“Thank you so much.”
Stacy smiled and tried to look reassuring.“It will be fine.Have a good time.”
Mina waved and walked toward the door.The closer she got to the guard, the more her hands began to shake.She waited with her head bowed.
She heard him sigh and reach for the door.“I hope you know what you’re doing?”
She glanced up and then back down and gave a tiny nod.“I do,” she stated with false confidence.