Page 66 of Emmy's Ride

He lounged in a leather seat across from me, his boots propped up on the table, a sick smile stretching his lips. His dark eyes roamed over me like I was already his.

"Look who's finally awake," he drawled.

I swallowed against the nausea rising in my throat. "Where am I?"

"Does it matter?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You’re cargo, sweetheart. And cargo doesn’t get to ask questions."

I forced myself to breathe, to focus. I needed information, not threats. "You work for The Ghost."

He smirked. "Among other things."

My mind raced. If I could get him talking, maybe I could find an opening. A weakness.

"You were at the warehouse," I said, keeping my voice calm, almost conversational. "I remember you watching me."

His eyes darkened, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips. "You put on quite the show. I’m the one that dressed you. All that creamy skin on display. Soft. Tempting. Irresistible. You taste good too."

I looked down and saw I was no longer wearing Austin’s shirt. A white cotton dress had replaced it. Disgust twisted in my stomach. He wanted a reaction, but I refused to give him one. Instead, I turned my gaze to the small window beside me. Cloudsstretched out endlessly below. Wherever they were taking me, it wasn’t close.

A tray rested on the table near my seat—a bottle of water and a sandwich. My stomach rolled with hunger, but I hesitated.

"Eat," he said. "You’ll need your strength."

I ignored the sandwich but reached for the water, twisting the cap open myself. If they wanted me alive, they wouldn't poison me. But drugs… I took a cautious sip, barely letting it touch my tongue before swallowing.

He watched me, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Smart girl."

I forced myself to meet his gaze. "If you’re smart, you’ll let me go. The man who’s coming for me won’t stop until he finds me. And when he does, he’ll kill every single person who stands in his way."

The man only laughed. "Let him come. The Ghost is always two steps ahead."

I filed that away. If The Ghost thought he was untouchable, he might have gotten sloppy.

The plane landed sometime later, and as soon as the engines cut off, my captor moved. He pulled a black cloth from his pocket and approached.

"Don't fight," he warned. "You'll only make this worse."

I jerked my head away, but he grabbed me roughly, yanking the blindfold over my eyes, and darkness swallowed me whole.

The drive was long, every turn disorienting. The air inside the vehicle was stifling, laden with my own fear. The man’s hand brushed my thigh, lingering too long, and bile rose in my throat. I dug my nails into my palms, using the pain to keep myself grounded.

When the car stopped, I was hauled out, my feet hitting uneven ground. The scent of salt and tropical flowers driftedthrough the air. Somewhere far off, waves crashed against a shore.

Not some underground bunker or dingy warehouse. This place smelled like wealth.

The blindfold was ripped away, and I blinked against the harsh sunlight. Before me stood a sprawling estate—white stone walls, towering columns, and lush gardens that seemed out of place given the hell I was about to endure.

I was shoved forward through the grand entrance and down a series of hallways until we reached the last door. He opened it, and I glanced inside, finding a lavish bedroom. Without a word of direction or explanation, he took a knife from his pocket and sliced through the zip ties. I was thrown inside and told to undress just before the door slammed behind me. The click of the lock engaging made me jump.

I turned in a slow circle. Cameras. One in each corner. A red light blinking on each one. I swallowed hard. Someone was watching.

A voice crackled to life through hidden speakers. Smooth. Amused. A voice I recognized from earlier, The Ghost.

“You disobeyed your first order,muñeca.”

I stiffened.

"Undress," the voice continued, "or you will be of no use to me, and I’ll have no choice but to give you to my men. A woman with spirit is worth far more than one that’s broken too soon."

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