104

LORENA

My head throbbed with pain, but I ignored it. I couldn’t afford to show any weakness. These people would exploit it.

Ella and I kept close to each other, her hand in mine. I refused to have us separated.

No matter what. After we were adequately prepared for the auction, like we were some kind of animals, five guards surrounded us and ushered us back into the hallway.

My heart thundered, recognizing every inch of it. But with five of them surrounding us, there was no room for escape. Even so, I refused to give up.

The hallway here was dark. Ella’s and my heels clicked against the stone floor. My heartbeat was frantic, and I didn’t have to ask my best friend to know hers was too.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat.

Think about Matteo. Focus on opportunities to escape. Think about Matteo.

The hallway ended and large stairs led to the floor below.

“No matter what,” I uttered in a hushed voice, “don’t let go of my hand.”