Page 26 of Love Me Gently

I tried to look away from him, but the movement of his arm grabbed my attention and before I could stop myself, my gaze settled on his lap.

On what his hand was doing to himself. Stroking.

Vomit pooled in my throat.

“I don’t want to do this,” I said, a tear sliding down my cheek. “This isn’t right.”

“There are dozens of other girls, just as beautiful, willing to do whatever they need to make their dreams come true, Trina.”

I flinched. The way he said my name. His voice was tight and even then, a small groan slid through it.

How would I get out of this?

“This is how the game is played. This is how pretty little girls like you end up on billboards. But if you don’t want to meet Steven, your one and only chance…”

His voice trailed off. His meaning was absolutely clear.

I wanted to meet Steven Cormack more than my next breath, but to do it this way?

I was trapped in a room with a man who had the power to do anything to me. And I’d gotten naked willingly.

I was still naked.

I alsoreallywanted to be a star. If I didn’t make it, every other choice I made would be for nothing.

What was it Zane warned me? Everyone sacrifices their morals every once in a while…?

“What do you want?” I brushed tears off my cheeks.

Robert grinned and slid forward in the chair. With a glint in his eyes that would give me nightmares for years to come, he described in detail what he wanted from me. What he’d do to me if I refused.

In the end, I could see no other solution. No way out. Giving it voluntarily would be better than to have it taken from me.

I dropped to my knees in front of him and gave him everything he asked for.

Eleven

Cole

Now

It wasafter two in the morning when I reached Atlanta and pulled into the hospital parking lot. True to my mom’s word, she and my dad were there in ten minutes—the benefit of living in a small town close to family. They’d always been willing to drop whatever they needed in order to help out. I left them with instructions on getting the girls to school, reminding my mom about the grocery store field trip form—to which she had the same response I had—and telling them to call Marie in the morning to let her know what was going on.

My next calls were to the chief and Eddy, both answering their phones and telling me to go. Chief told me to check in when I got back.

Thank goodness for good coworkers and an understanding boss.

I had no idea what I was walking into. I’d had almost six hours to allow my imagination to run away from me. Considering I’d been a police officer for eight years, I’d seen enough that I had to force my mind from thinking the worst.

The worst hadn’t happened. She was hospitalized, not in the morgue, and I reminded myself of that truth while I headed straight for the doors.

I’d added Valerie’s number to my personal phone and shot her a text letting her know I was on my way, and before I reached the elevator banks, I sent her another one.

Me: What floor and room?

Her text bubble appeared like she’d been staring at her phone, waiting for me. Which meant she’d clocked the ETA I sent her once my GPS calculated the fastest route. Good. I was starting to like this woman.

Valerie: 417. Give me a few minutes. Need to get rid of Jonathan.

---