Chapter 3

Kayla

"You're lying!" Chelsea groaned. I didn't say anything because I knew I wasn't.

The cars behind us started to honk like crazy. I didn't think this day could get any worse. Chelsea and I got out, standing by the side of the road in our high heels. In our tight, thin dresses, we looked like hookers.

We put our shoulders against the car and pushed. We strained until we finally got the heavy metal to the side of the road. Other cars just zoomed past us. Some drivers leaned out to scream insults as they went.

"How do we get out of here?" Chelsea asked. She looked like she was about to cry. "I have school tomorrow."

"Shit, that’s right," I muttered.

"We can order an Uber," I suggested, reaching into my pocket.

Chelsea looked at me like I was stupid. She held up her phone. "What do you think I've been doing? There’s nothing available for an hour."

"Don't take it out on me, Chels. We're in the same boat."

She pouted and her eyebrows pulled together. "I'm sorry. I just have a test and—"

I put a hand on her shoulder. "I know you're going to ace it. Now, let's just focus on waving down a car."

"I don't know how that's going to work with what we're wearing," Chelsea said, looking at her shimmery dress. She had a point.

The first car, a red convertible sped past us. Then, another sports car slowed down to a crawl.

The windows rolled down, "How much for the night?" the driver asked. He had a disgusting, smug grin on his face. The sheer audacity made my blood boil but I said nothing.

"What?" Chelsea sputtered. Her face turned bright red. "Are you insane?"

I pulled her away from the car. I wanted to keep the peace. "Let’s just ignore them. Chelsea, I think we should just walk."

"No," the driver said. He turned off the engine and stepped out. "Why would pretty ladies like you walk? We have plenty of room inside." He lowered his window revealing two other men at the back seat.

"Look," I said. "Except you have a tow or can order an Uber, there's not much you can do for us. You can go your way now."

The driver gave me a predatory look. I'm sure was much older than this kid. Who let their untrained child out without a leash. He killed the engine and opened the car door.

Chelsea pulled me towards her, "let's go, we'll come back for the car," she whispered. I was all for the idea before the driver moved right into my personal space.

He smelled like expensive cologne and beer. He looked me up and down. "You can follow us. We'll drive you home."

"I’m sorry for bothering you, but we'll wait for a cab," I said. My voice was starting to shake. "We aren't sex workers. We'll be on our way now!"

His friends alighted too.

What have we gotten ourselves into?

Chelsea was fuming. She opened her mouth to scream something mean, but I clamped my hand over her lips. I looked the driver in the eye. "We're not going anywhere, don't make me scream."

Chelsea struggled against my hand, making muffled angry noises.

The driver’s face changed. The smug look was replaced by something nasty. "The only way you're leaving is in the car with us."

He reached into the back seat and pulled out a heavy golf bag. He tossed two clubs to his friends. Without saying a word, the first guy swung at our car. The passenger window exploded. Shards of glass flew everywhere like tiny diamonds.

"No! Stop it!" we screamed.

I didn't think. I just lunged at the driver and grabbed his arm. Chelsea swung her bag at another guy’s head.

The driver snarled. He slammed his elbow into my chest, knocking the air out of me. He shoved me with all his strength. I went flying and hit the pavement hard. My back thudded against the ground, and my palms burned as the rough road tore my skin.

"Stay down, bitch," he hissed. He stepped over my legs so I couldn't get up. "I'm going to have so much fun with you." He leaned down, and I could see the sick look in his eyes. "My car is so spacious for you and those curves."

I scrambled backward on my elbows, breathing fast. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would burst. I backed up until I hit the cold, hard tire of my car.

Suddenly, Chelsea jumped on his back. She pulled his hair as hard as she could. "Get off her!"

The man didn't even care. He grabbed her by the waist and threw her off like she was a rag doll. She hit the ground even harder than I did. She groaned, curled up on the asphalt in her ripped dress.

He turned back to me and raised the golf club.

He stumbled backward when a pair of huge, bright headlights rounded the corner. A massive black SUV stopped right behind them, blinding us all with its lights.

Two other cars stopped behind the SUV. I recognized the convoy immediately.

Sirens wailed loudly and the excort cars opened to reveal some armed men. The door of the black SUV opened too.

The man who stepped out was dressed in an all black suit. He adjusted his cufflinks taking in the situation before him.

"Damien, Blackwood?" The driver stuttered. His voice was laced with fear. His companies literally froze in place.

The CEO of Blackwood Industries. My boss, Damien Blackwood was right here, in front of me.

"What is going on here?" He asked the men who now seemed to scared to talk.

"Umm, we were just--"

"Harassing these young ladies," he sized them up, "if this is how you conduct yourself and treat other people, I'm not sure I'll be doing business with your father anymore."

I almost gagged.

"No, please no." The driver was practically grovelling. "We're already in so much debt, we'll be ruined."

Damien scoffed, "Think about that before harassing defenseless women next time."

One of the security escorts cocked his gun and shot it in the air.

The driver practically peed himself.