Page 7 of Zane

“There’s a shower behind that door and clean clothes in there for you.We can get your things when you’re ready but for now, we have plenty for you.When you’re done, just step outside and the others will speak with you.”

Marnie and Willa walked into the hallway and saw the group of men waiting at the other end.Willa stayed behind while Marnie moved toward them.

“How is she?” asked Ham.

“She’s doing surprisingly well.No broken bones but plenty of bruises, cuts, lots of signs of abuse.She was sexually assaulted by at least one of the men, if not all three.She’s blaming herself.”

“That seems normal,” said Gator.“Maybe a few rounds with Shep will help.”

“It’s mandatory,” said Marnie looking at them.“Shep will see her starting tomorrow.”

“Is she able to answer our questions?” asked Ham.

“Yes,” said the soft voice behind them.“I can answer any questions you have if you promise not to judge me.”

“There is zero judgment here, honey.We just want to know what they were actually doing in that place.But first, let’s get you some dinner.I feel like you could use a good meal,” said Gator.

“Thank you.Thank you all.Especially, you,” she said looking at Zane.“I appreciate you protecting me like you did.No one has ever done that for me before.”

“It was no problem,” he said blushing.“If you’ll follow me, I’ll get you to dinner and that dress looks nice on you.”

“Thanks,” she said nodding at him nervously.They watched as Zane and Blake walked toward the back exit and the ATVs.

“What are the odds of that happening?” frowned Christopher.

“Around here?” smirked Cowboy.“About fifty-fifty.”

Blake couldn’t believe the number of people in the cafeteria.Zane helped her to carry her tray back to their seat and they sat quietly for a little while.

“Are you from here?” she finally asked.

“No,” he smirked.“It will seem ironic, but I ran from my family in Nebraska.They were running a compound that was injuring animals…”

“…and taking women,” she whispered.

“Yep.I had run away but I should have reported them sooner.I had brothers, seven of them.Only one is still alive.”

“God, I’m so sorry,” she said staring up at him.He shook his head, fighting back tears.

“I tried to save them.I was just too late and I vowed to never be late again,” he said taking a bite of the shrimp remoulade salad.It had become one of his favorites.

“I’m such a mess,” she said exhaling and leaning back in the chair.“I thought I had my life together.I thought I’d be the first person in my family with a college degree.Then suddenly I was standing in front of that man over there.Matt.

“We’d like to ask you a few questions,” said Matt.“We won’t hurt you.We want to find these men.”

“I hope you cut their dicks off,” said one of the girls.She had flaming red hair and enormous blue eyes, almost too large for her small face.Her nails were chipped, the peach nail polish nearly gone.

“Believe me, it’s on my list of tactics to use,” said Matt.“How did they get you out here?”

“We were all asked to interview for a job on a large ranch.We’ve had experience working in animal shelters, zoos, that sort of thing.I’m in my final year of school to become a veterinarian.”

“Did you all come out here together?” he asked.

“They said the road out here was rough and they’d have someone pick us up and take us back.We were all stupid enough to believe that,” she frowned.

“Did they hurt you?” he asked gently.She swallowed, shaking her head.

“No, but it was made clear that was their intention.We were going to be given to the ranch guests to do with as they wished.We could either cooperate or they’d tie us to the beds.When the man over there found us, we were trying to dig out of the cellar.”