Dark Refuge Read Online Free PDF

against. “Looks like you’re working hard, holding up that pole.”
    “It’s a job.” She slowly looked him up and down, pausing her gaze at the front of his jeans. “I’m quite good at keeping poles vertical.” She glanced up at the pole behind her back before turning her attention to Gabe once again. “I imagine I could do wonders for yours.”
    “I don’t doubt that at all, but I’m guessing pole work is expensive.”
    She shrugged and named a figure much higher than Gabe expected, but he merely nodded. “Damned expensive. You say you’re good. I guess I’ll have to take you at your word. Will you come with me?”
    She laughed. “Depends on how fast you are. I prefer to take my time, but yes. If you’ve got a place nearby, I can go there. How far?”
    “Over on Kearny.” He glanced at her boots with their high, spike heels. “You okay walking in those?”
    “I am.” He noticed as she glanced over his shoulder at someone behind him. Gabe turned and saw a large man standing in the shadows. “He your guy?”
    She nodded. Gabe turned and faced the man. “I’ll have her back in a couple of hours.”
    “Damn right you will.”
    Smiling, Gabe held out his arm. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 3
     
    Whoever this guy was, he was drop-dead gorgeous. Sissy sensed absolutely no anger in him at all. For whatever reason, he made her feel comfortable, as if she was safe with him, but she knew better than to trust any instincts that made her think she was safe. She’d never be safe again. She fingered the card in her coat pocket. That young woman had made her feel safe, too. Just by caring. She couldn’t know that Sissy didn’t have a phone, that there was absolutely no way she’d get a chance to call, unless maybe this guy was taking her somewhere that she could find a phone, could call this Emeline person.
    The man glanced at Sissy and smiled. “I’m going to talk to you, okay. Without sound. Don’t act surprised, please?” My name is Gabe. I want to help you. There’s a woman waiting up ahead. She’s the one who mindspoke with you the other night. Your man is following behind us, so we’re going to walk all the way to the place where we work and go inside. The woman is going to come after us, so he can’t connect you to her. Your pimp can’t follow us once we go into the building, but once we’re in there, we’ll be able to tell you more about us. About you.
    “Okay,” she said, smiling as if Gabe had said something funny. Then she looked straight ahead as they walked past the woman who’d given her the business card a couple of nights ago. She was looking at her mobile phone and didn’t raise her head. Sissy and Gabe kept going. That works for me. I couldn’t call you when you gave me your card, Emeline. I don’t have a phone, and we’re not allowed near them. I’m not alone. There are five other women, and one of us is always kept prisoner so the others will return. These people holding us are horrible.
    I didn’t even think of you not having a phone. I’m sorry. Your pimp just walked past me. I’m going to follow him after he gets far enough ahead. Gabe will keep you safe.
    I’ve forgotten what safe feels like. And that bastard following us has held me against my will for so many years, I’ve lost count.
    When were you taken? Gabe glanced at her and smiled. She clung to his arm.
    I remember it was in the spring and I had just turned twenty-three. I was born April 4, 2011, and captured early in May, 2034. They’ve kept me ever since. I don’t even know what year it is.
    It’s December, 2039. Those bastards have had you for over five and a half years.
    She stumbled and Gabe caught her. Oh, God, she said. I knew it was a long time, but I had no idea . . .
    We’re almost to my office. We’ll get you free, Sissy. Trust us. And we’ll get the others out as well. But first, we need to find out everything we can about you and where you’re being held.
     
    • • •
     
    As planned,