Cherishing Shay

Chapter 2 Shay prided herself on not acting rashly. She’d learned to control her emotions from an early age and assess every situation before reacting. Which was why when she’d been kidnapped a few days ago from her school parking lot her captures had barely paid her much attention, thinking she was pliant. Shay wasn’t stupid. She knew she’d never overpower three burly men who’d captured her. No matter how much she’d wanted to. So she laid in wait. Waiting for the right moment to make her move. Underneath that calm serenity was pure contempt for her captures even though they had done nothing to harm her. The fact they’d stolen her so easily was appalling. She’d have a word with her security team when she got home. She was memorizing everything about them so she could turn them when this was over. She’d been moved that morning to a different location. She hoped that meant her captivating was about to come to an end and her father paid the ransom. They might not have a loving relationship but what he hated more than anything was a scandal. Instead of a windowless bedroom she’d been led to an ornate room equipped with a four poster bed with cream colored fabric wrapped around the posts. Expensive looking painting adorned the walls. She could have sworn that was a Ming vase on the dresser. Shay could have cared aless about her settings. The one thing she focused on was the window. Her escape to freedom. At least now she could tell day from night. Her captured hadn’t bothered blindfolding when she was brought here, they probably thought she wouldn’t know where she was. Only she did. Shay knew they were still in Vegas. And she knew exactly what building they were in. It was a night club just off the strip. That didn’t mean it was remote. She could see the steady flow of traffic. Hear the city below her as people came and went, knowing there was a kidnapped woman above them. She’d already tried the window and door. She wasn’t surprised they were locked. All she could do was wait. As night fell, she knew something wasn’t right. It was just a feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her father should have already paid for her. Why it had taken three days already was beyond her. She never saw anyone except to drop off meals and being brought here. Her captures wore ski masks so she couldn’t identify them. And she’d been blindfolded until this place. She hadn’t thought much about that until why. When she was released she could tell the authorities about this place. Unless that wasn’t their intention at all. Shay was pulled from her thoughts when her door opened. Shay had to remember her role. The docile captive. It grated on her nerves, but being resistive wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She stood waiting at two men walked in. She noted neither bothered wearing a mask. That didn’t bode well for her. She swallowed down the bile that was threating to rise up her throat. She needed to remain calm. Hysteria wasn’t going to help her now. An older man that looked to be in his sixties approached her. He dressed impeccably. A fitted suite to show off his large round man that looked more like a bowling ball with arms and legs. His bald head shining under the hanging chandelier. Beady brown eyes perused over her body making her skin crawl. “Miss. McCall.” If she was hoping he would provide his name she was in for a surprise. What capturer would tell you their name? Shay remained rooted in her spot with her mouth shut. She didn’t recognize him but that didn’t mean anything. She’d lived a pretty sheltered life never going where she wasn’t told she could go and have at least one bodyguard with her at all times. If he was here though that meant her time here was up. Her father must have paid her ransom and she would be released now. She just had to hang in there for a little while longer. “I came to tell you that your time with us is almost over.” Shay didn’t allow herself to relax. It could be a trap. Why else would these men reveal themselves? He didn’t say her father paid the ransom on that her time was almost over. Had her dad not paid the ransom so they were taking her someplace else? Some part of her always wondered if he would. That still didn’t answer why they allowed her to see their faces. She knew where she was and could pick them out of a line up. These men weren’t stupid and neither was she. Something was wrong. “Will one of your men drop me off or will someone from my father’s be picking me up?” She kept her voice soft and serene when all she wanted to do was yell at them. Demand to be released. The man in front of her looked like a gentleman with the tailored suit and impeccable speech but she had no doubt if she said the wrong thing, he’d leave her a b****y pulp on the ground. Or most likely let his man do the dirty work for him. Not much longer. She might have to look into living on campus when she got home. Less risk of this happening again. Who was she kidding? Her father would lock her up himself in the basement and she’d never see the light of day ever again. “Arrangements have already been made for you. You’ll be leaving within the hour.” That still didn’t answer her question which meant no. What other reason could they have her? She knew better than to ask. “My men will come collect you when it is time.” “Thank you.” She waited for them to leave before she raced across the room and pressed her ear to the door. She heard their low voices in the hallway. “Stupid, bitch.” One of them muttered. “I can’t believe she believed you would just let her go.” “Not for a second asshole.” She muttered under her breath. Shay had perfected her submissive personality over the years that people forgot about her. She preferred it that way. She didn’t like being the center of attention like her dad. Plus, she’d learned a lot of about these people since they took her. “Has everything been arranged?” The older man asked. “Yes, sir. The buy is taking place in about thirty minutes. All the arrangements have already been made ready. The buyers will be arriving shortly.” “Good.” “Sir,” The man sounded nervous. “Yes?” “Not to question your judgement but is it wise to put her on auction when she’s already been promised.” “Bah,” The older man didn’t sound concerned in the least. “Promised isn’t bought. Do you know how much money she’ll fetch? Far more than that a*s is willing to pay me.” No honor amongst thieves. Shay was the only person she was aware of held in the building so she had a pretty good idea who they were talking about. Her. No wonder they hadn’t bothered with masks. They never intended to release her back to her father. They were going to sell her to the highest bidder like she was a piece of meat at a market. “But—” “Enough,” The older man snapped. “She’ll be sold to the highest bidder and out of our hair. Get her ready right before its time. I’ll make the intro and you’ll bring her in. I want them salivating for her.” She could hear the glee in his voice that turned her stomach. That man really was a monster. She heard their footfall get softer as they walked away. The time for being the docile captive was over. Shay couldn’t wait to see if her father would pay the ransom or not. She had to escape. Now.