joint aching with a deep, throbbing pain. She was still lying on her side. Her arms, bound behind her back for over twenty-four hours, felt like dead weight. The skin arou

ad moved past a dull ache i

ottom of the heavy iron door was kicked open. Haley flinched, pulling her knees tighter to her chest. A cracked plastic tray was shoved roughly through the slot, sliding across the cement

without a second thought. Now, her eyes locked onto the moldy crust, her pupils dilating.

spered through the slot. It was a thick,

reach the tray with her mouth. But her shoulders were locked, the muscles screaming in protest. She couldn't lift her torso h

silent war waged in the dark. She opened her mouth, turned her head, and bit directly into the hard bread. The crust was like a rock. It scraped against the roof of her mouth, tearing the delicate tissue. She chewed aggressively, forcing the dry, mo

American girl eat off the floor. A flicker of pity crossed Marisol's

ad against the cold iron of the door. She needed information.

down the hallway. "Quiet

ssing her face closer to the slot.

handle of the food cart. "You should be gla

th caught. "

pered, her voice tight with fear. "Sold

ley's mind. A cold sweat broke out on the

lash of deep, unresolved grief crossing her dark eyes. "My younger sister... she was brought here two years ago. She didn't have a tag. They threw her to the cartels. I could

claimed her because of the map. "Then why hasn't he come?" Haley asked, despe

un shipments. Bea locked you down here to break you b

ing her out of spite, using Axel's absence

m the top of the stairs. Marisol gasped. She kicked the metal slot

teady, determined rhythm. She was Axel Sterling's property. It was a terrifying reality