The cold air bit into Lena's skin as she entered the warehouse, her body tensed, eyes scanning every corner. The place was dark, grimy, the kind of spot where people disappeared without a trace. She could hear the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, but the muffled noises of men laughing and talking made her blood boil. This was where Tara was being kept. And Lena wasn't leaving without her.
As she made her way deeper into the warehouse, her heels clicking sharply against the concrete, she saw a man standing by the door. He looked her over with hungry eyes, a grin spreading across his face. His gaze traveled over her body, lingering where it shouldn't, and she could almost hear the sick thoughts racing through his head.
Lena forced herself to stumble a little, acting drunk and out of place, just like she'd practiced. She leaned against the doorframe and gave him a confused look. "Hey, uh... I don't know where I am. Can you... can you tell me what this place is?" she asked, slurring her words just enough to sell it.
The man's grin widened, his eyes flashing with that same predatory hunger. He stepped closer, his voice low and rough as he sized her up. "You lost, sweetheart?" he said, his tone dripping with desire. "What the hell are you doin' here?"
Lena bit back the urge to gag as she forced a laugh. "Yeah, guess I am. Was out drinking... don't really remember how I ended up here," she slurred, her hand going to her forehead as if she were dizzy. "Can you help me out? I'm a little... uh... off my game right now."
The man seemed to buy it, chuckling under his breath. "Damn, you sure as hell don't look like you're lost. But, uh, wait here," he said, his eyes never leaving her. "I'll be right back."
Lena nodded, acting meek and nervous as she stood by the door, feeling the man's stare burn into her skin. The second he disappeared inside, she pulled out her phone and texted Owen quickly. I'm in. Keep an eye on the situation.
She barely had time to pocket her phone before the man came back, his face eager. "Rick wants to see you," he said with a smirk. "Says you're gonna be real... interesting tonight."
Lena kept her eyes on the ground, making herself appear vulnerable as she followed him inside, her heart pounding in her chest. The air inside the warehouse was thick with smoke, the faint smell of beer and cheap cologne hanging heavy in the stale air.
Rick was sitting in the corner, his eyes already on her. She didn't have to wait long before he spoke up, his voice low and smooth. "Well, well. Look what we have here. The girl with Tara," Rick said, his tone a mixture of amusement and malice. He looked her up and down, his gaze calculating. "You're a hell of a lot hotter than Tara. Maybe tonight will be more fun than I thought."
Lena kept her face blank, but inside, her blood was boiling. She kept playing her role, taking a few steps forward, glancing over at the corner where Tara lay, her body bruised and bound, her mouth gagged. Lena's heart clenched at the sight, but she couldn't let her emotions show. She gasped, just loud enough for the men to hear, her eyes wide with false shock. "Oh my God! What is this? What the hell is going on here?"
The men in the room laughed, one of them whistling low, the others leering at her. Rick stood up, his smirk widening as he moved toward her. "You don't need to worry about her, sweetheart. We're gonna have a good time tonight," he said, his hand reaching out as if to touch her. "Get comfortable, baby. We'll take care of you."
Lena took a step back, keeping her body language uncertain, acting like she was starting to realize what was going on. But before Rick could get any closer, a sharp crack filled the room. A bullet hit Rick square in the head, sending him crashing to the floor with a sickening thud.
The men froze in shock as Lena's heart skipped a beat. But then, the sound of heavy boots hitting the floor filled the silence, and street gangsters—Owen's people—flooded into the warehouse. They were here to back her up.
"Move, move!" one of the gangsters shouted, his voice cutting through the tension. A couple of the men lunged toward the door, but they were met with gunfire, dropping to the floor like ragdolls.
Lena didn't hesitate. Her hand shot to her waist, pulling the knife she'd hidden there, its cold steel gleaming in the dim light. She went for the closest man, slashing across his chest with expert precision, her movements swift and brutal. He screamed in pain, stumbling back, but Lena was already on to the next one.
The warehouse erupted into chaos. Gunshots rang out, bodies collided, and the stench of fear and violence filled the air. But Lena's eyes never left Tara. She cut through the men with ruthless efficiency, her knife finding its mark each time, slashing and stabbing with a cold focus.
"Stay down, don't move!" Lena shouted to Tara as she fought, her voice rough with urgency. She moved toward her friend, slicing through the ropes that bound her. Tara gasped in relief as her hands were freed, and she looked up at Lena with tears in her eyes.
"You came for me," Tara whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion.
Lena smiled at her, though her smile was hard, like it had been carved into her face. "You know I would," she said, her voice low and determined. "Now let's get the hell out of here."
Tara nodded, her body shaking as she stood. The fight was still going on around them, but Lena was already looking toward the exit, her mind racing. They couldn't waste any more time. There were still men left, still danger lurking around every corner.
Lena grabbed Tara's hand and pulled her toward the door. "We're getting out, now!" she said, her voice sharp, taking charge of the situation.
The sound of sirens began to wail in the distance, but they weren't close enough. "Move, Tara, move!" Lena hissed, urgency in every syllable as they made their way toward freedom.
They were almost there, almost out, when a voice called out behind them.
"You're not going anywhere."
Lena didn't look back. She didn't have to. The street gangsters had the rest of it covered. As they reached the exit, Lena pushed open the door, pulling Tara through it. She could hear the sounds of gunfire and shouting behind them, but none of it mattered. They were going to make it.
And tonight, Lena wasn't just surviving. She was winning.