Page 67 of Emmy's Ride

Terror unfurled inside me, but I fought to keep my face neutral. I wouldn’t let him see my fear.

My chin lifted. Silence stretched between us.

The voice hummed in approval. "Good. I like my pets with fight in them."

I turned away from the cameras, my mind racing. I had to survive. I had to play the game long enough to figure out where I was—and how to get out.

Austin was coming for me. I had to believe that. And until then, I had to be strong.

I sat on the edge of the massive bed, my arms wrapped around myself as I tried to keep my breathing steady. The voice had gone silent, but I knew he was still there, watching.

I felt stripped bare, even though I still wore the flimsy white dress. The fabric clung to my skin like a ghost of my dignity, a mockery of purity. There were no undergarments beneath it, and I had no doubt that was intentional.

The walls of the sumptuous bedroom closed in around me. It wasn’t a prison in the traditional sense—there were no chains, no bars—but the cameras in every corner reminded me that I wasn’t free.

I forced myself to scan the room, cataloging details. A king-sized bed with silk sheets. A luxurious bathroom with an open glass shower. A vanity lined with expensive perfumes and jewelry as if I were expected to play a role.

The door and windows were locked from the outside. Of course they were. Who has locks on the outside of windows? Someone with regular guests they don’t want to leave.

My palms brushed down the fabric of my dress. How long would I be here? Was Austin coming?

No. Not was. When. He would come. I just had to survive until he did.

The speaker crackled again, making me flinch. “I can see you thinking,muñeca.But thinking won’t get you out of here. Obedience will.”

I didn’t answer. He chuckled yet I felt not an ounce of humor in it.

“Good. You’re learning.”

I clenched my teeth, fury burning beneath my skin. I wanted to scream, to curse him, to demand answers—but what would that accomplish? He held the power right now. I had to be smart.

“Get some rest,” he said. “Tomorrow will be a long day.”

Then… silence.

I exhaled shakily and curled up on the bed, wrapping the silk sheets around me. I told myself I wouldn’t sleep. I would stay awake, alert.

But exhaustion pulled at me, and against my will, I drifted into uneasy darkness.

A loud click startled me awake. The lights in the room dimmed, replaced by the eerie glow of the cameras.

His voice came again. “Wake up,muñeca.”

My pulse pounded.

“Did you dream of your lover?” he asked, his voice laced with sly pleasure. “I bet you did. I bet you thought of his hands on you instead of mine.”

I swallowed hard, my body tense.

“Take off the dress.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. The threat from earlier hung in the air.Be of no use to me, and I’ll give you to my men.

Slowly, I sat up, my hands shaking as I reached for the hem of the dress. I pulled it over my head and let it slip to the floor.

“Good,” the voice praised.

I wrapped my arms around my body.

---