Chapter Five: Trapped

ARIA

He took me back to the cell where I spent two more days staring at the ceiling thinking about my predicament. A voice jolted me out of my thoughts. No Cassian today.

"Rise and shine, princess." Lucas broke the silence in the room. "Time to have fun."

I pulled the thin blanket tighter feeling a shiver run down my spine, an instinctive warning that this encounter will not be pleasant. "Where's Cassian?"

"Boss gave me instructions to deal with your ass." He checked his phone. "Got ten minutes to get ready. I will be waiting outside hurry up"

My skin crawled at the way he watched me. This wasn't the usual routine. Something had changed. Cassian didn’t come for me this morning. Instead, he sent his sidekick. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever awaited me, and reluctantly got out of the bed.

"Bathroom now." He pointed with his chin. "Don't try anything stupid."

I grabbed fresh clothes from the pile they'd left. The bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, hair a mess. I splashed water on my face, trying to think.

Cassian had never sent anyone else into my room. Not since I'd gotten here. It had to mean something.

"Time's up." Lucas banged on the door.

I met Lucas outside the door, his eyes roamed over me appraisingly, sending another wave of discomfort through me. “Where are we going?” I asked, trying to steady my voice despite the rising fear.

No common room today. No office. Instead we went deeper into the warehouse.

"In here." He pushed open a heavy door.

The room was small, empty except for a metal chair and old filing cabinets. No windows. My heart slammed against my ribs.

"What is this?"

"Sit down."

"No."

His hand shot out, grabbing my arm.

"Wasn't a request."

I dropped into the chair, shoulder burning where he'd gripped it. "What's going on?"

"Boss wants to get rid of you." He pulled out his phone again, typing something.

I couldn’t comprehend his words. “I don’t understand,” I stammered.

"I'm just following orders."

"You're lying."

"Your daddy didn't pay up." He didn't look up from the screen. "You're inventory now."

High heels clicked down the hall. A woman appeared in the doorway, all curves and dressed in a crop top with a short skirt that barely covered anything. Red lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Well, well." She sauntered in. "This is the little problem everyone's talking about?"

"Chloe." Luca straightened. "What are you doing here? Boss didn't clear you for this."

"Relax, baby." She ran perfectly manicured nails down his arm. "I sorted it out. Go take a break. I'll handle our new friend."

"I have to clear it with him, Chloe. I can't just-"

"Please?" She pressed against him. "For me?"

His eyes dropped to her barely-covered chest. "Ten minutes."

"You're the best." She kissed his cheek, leaving a red smear.

The door closed behind him. Chloe's smile vanished. "Stupid men." She perched on a filing cabinet. "So easy to manipulate."

With a sly smile, she said, "I can help you, you know."

"What do you mean?"

Chloe laughed wickedly, her tone dripping with disdain. "They were right about you. You're stupid," She pulled out a compact mirror, checked her lipstick.

"Cassian doesn't want you here, and he's going to get rid of you. Did you honestly think you were special to him? You're in trouble, honey. Deep trouble. He is done with you. Sending his boys to handle the dirty work - that's what he does when he's washing his hands of someone."

"You don't know anything."

"I know he's selling you." She leaned forward. "New owner, new life. Far away from here."

Ice slid down my spine. "You're lying."

"Am I?" She examined her nails. "Let's see... daddy didn't pay up. You caused trouble. Now you're a liability." Each word hit like a slap. "Face it, sweetie. You're product now."

Confusion and disbelief mingled in my mind as I struggled to comprehend her words. "But what about my father?" I managed to ask, clinging to the last strands of hope.

With a cold expression, Chloe dismissed my hopes with a single sentence. "Your father doesn't want you. You belong to Cassian now."

Realization washed over me, drowning any remnants of hope I have. "This time tomorrow, you'll be shipped off to your new life," Chloe added. "So, I suggest you get some rest."

"Shut up."

"Such fire." She stood, smoothing her dress. "Won't last long where you're going. But hey - maybe if you're good, they'll let you keep some pretties."

The door opened again. Lucas stepped back in.

"Let’s go now. Time's up."

"Already?" Chloe pouted. "We were just getting to know each other."

She turned and blew me a kiss. "Sweet dreams, princess. This time tomorrow, you'll be someone else's problem."

They left me alone in the room. No windows. One door. The chair cold and hard beneath me.