The black bag was ripped from her head, along with several strands of her hair. Abby blinked against the bold light of the naked bulbs hanging from the low ceiling. She glanced around the dingy space in shock as her gaze traveled from girl to girl\u2014six young teens, dirty, bruised, and malnourished, staring up at her through bland eyes while they sat or lay on filthy mattresses on the dirt floor. \u201cWhat\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn.\u201d Victor shoved Abby into a small, windowless room, slamming the door, locking her in with a rusty scrape of something sliding against the heavy metal barrier.<\/p>\n

She walked on shaky legs to the wooden chair in the corner and collapsed to the uncomfortable seat, clutching her arms around her waist, shivering as she bit hard on her bottom lip while tears rained down her cheeks. Where was<\/i> she? What was this place? She shuddered, remembering six sets of listless eyes holding hers. Nothing good was happening here.<\/p>\n

She covered her face with trembling hands and gave into her sobs, relieving the worst of her dread, wishing for nothing more than to be home with Lex and Livy. Thinking of her sister and niece, she forced away her tears, taking several deep breaths of stale air. If she wanted to see her family again she needed to pull herself together. She couldn\u2019t get herself out of this\u2014whatever this<\/i> was\u2014if she didn\u2019t think. There had to be a way out. Her eyes darted around the barely lit space, searching for a weapon, another exit, anything.<\/p>\n

The door opened, and she rushed to her feet as a tall, well-built man stood haloed in the beam of light from the room beyond. Abby blinked as he stepped forward. \u201cRenzo?\u201d She bolted from the corner and fell against her friend\u2019s firm chest as a wave or relief flooded her. \u201cOh, thank god.\u201d<\/p>\n

His strong arms wrapped around her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so glad you\u2019re here. I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on. I need help. Can you help me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d He eased her back some, but she refused to release him from her grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy family\u2014we were on our way home from Virginia Beach. We stopped at a rest area, and two men grabbed me and brought me here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were with your sister and niece?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Alexa and Olivia. I think they\u2019re okay, but I need to call and make sure. Will you get me out of here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

She could hardly believe she was leaving. \u201cThank you. Thank you.\u201d She hugged Renzo again as tears of gratitude flowed free. \u201cI knew this had to be some sort of mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s get you home.\u201d He wrapped his arm around her waist and walked with her to the door. \u201cOh, wait.\u201d He stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t let you go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n