Chapter 3
Since the audience wasn't getting the show they had paid for, the comments on the monitor hissed with renewed venom.
[Oh, he really turned her down? Still playing the hero?]
[Pathetic! Can't even handle one woman!]
[Look at his back! You know he's hard as a rock. What's with the saint act?]
[Fuck, I just lost a million because they're taking so long!]
[And the girl needs to stop pretending! Her face is bright red. She obviously wants it!]
[Tear her clothes off and go at it! Help each other out! I'll spam the big donos the second you start!]
Suddenly, the intercom blared. That digital voice returned with a mocking giggle. "It's time for the 'Close-Up Challenge!'
"The rule is simple: do as I say, or I'll release more of the 'pink mist.'"
Leon's head snapped up. Like an enraged bull, he roared at the speaker, "Bring it on! I'll die before I give you sick fucks what you want!"
"And what about you, Ms. Foster?" the voice taunted.
The drug, amplified by the sheer masculine energy radiating from Leon, was peaking. I was using every last ounce of strength just to stay upright. I couldn't speak. I just shook my head.
The voice turned cold. "I see you're still playing difficult. Well, Ms. Foster, it's a hard climb for a man to win a girl. But for a girl to get a man? You just have to show up. Why don't you take the lead?
"Don't be so quick to refuse. Do you recognize this?"
The image on the monitor cut abruptly. Our live feed was replaced by a suffocating close-up, a pink hair tie with a tiny rabbit charm dangling from it.
My heart plummeted.
That hair tie belonged to my sister, Emily Foster. I had bought it for her last birthday, and she hadn't taken it off since.
A malicious laugh echoed from the speakers, "If you don't want anything to happen to her, you'll let him kiss you. And don't tell me you don't want to kiss him right now."
The chat went ballistic.
[Whoa! They're pulling out the big guns!]
[Kiss him! Kiss him now!]
[What's more important, your sister's life or your precious virginity?]
[Hurry up! I've already got bets on the position!]
[I'll bet 200,000 dollars on missionary.]
Staring at that familiar hair tie, I felt my blood run cold.
After my father, Emily was the most important person in my world.
I was going to lose my mind. My last thread of sanity was unraveling.
"Who is it? Who paid you to do this?" Leon growled.
The voice was still cheerful. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about that, Mr. Lancaster! We get paid to make problems disappear.
"I'm starting a ten-second countdown. If you don't complete the task, the little girl dies!"
I jolted, a sliver of clarity cutting through the fog. "Stop! That hair tie looks like one I made, but it's not the only one in the world. How do I know you really have Emily?"
A distorted laugh crackled through the speakers, sounding sharp and cold.
The screen flickered again. A familiar figure was tied to a chair with a gag in her mouth. When she saw the camera, she started shaking her head frantically, tears streaming down her face.
"Emily!" I shrieked, lunging toward the screen, but Leon grabbed me and pulled me back.
"Ten. Nine..."
The countdown began as the screen switched back to our live feed.
"Leon!" I choked out, my voice breaking. "Please..."
I was broken. Between the drug and the threat against my sister, I had nothing left to fight with.
Leon snapped his head up to look at me, his eyes widening with pure shock. For a fleeting second, the predatory hunger in his eyes vanished, replaced by a raw sympathy.
Meanwhile, the chat on the monitor erupted in a frenzy.
[She finally gave in!]
[Mr. Lancaster, what are you waiting for? Kiss her!]
[Kiss her and bang her! Don't hold back!]
[Do it! Do it! Do it!]
"Eight."
Instead of moving, Leon turned his face away, gritting his teeth as he struggled to hold on. His frame shook with fine tremors, a silent war raging beneath his skin.
We both knew what that kiss would mean. There would be no turning back.