“Shut the outside lights and roadhouse sign off,” Nabera called.

“Got it,” a man yelled back.

The parking lot went dark.

Several men loomed over the three women seated in the corner. One man yelled, “Captain, we got some fucking politicians here.”

As Nabera moved in that direction, Audrey managed to pull in a breath.

Across the table, Sarah was looking around, obviously evaluating what could be done. Erica looked terrified. Tina was—

“Well, well, we caught ourselves some state representative libtards along with our targets.” Nabera sounded elated. “It wasn’t as big a haul as I wanted, but they’ll make up for it. Secure them all.”

A man pulled out zip-ties, yanked Audrey’s arms behind her back, and bound her wrists together. The other women were being restrained too.

When one grabbed EmmaJean, she screamed and fought back. A second man backhanded her, and she hit the floor hard and lay crying.

Lillian cursed until one of them shouted, “Shut the fuck up,” and slapped her to make her stop.

Furious, Audrey yanked at the zip-ties until her skin ripped and blood trickled down her wrists.

Surely someone would come to the roadhouse and notice something, would call the police.

No help came.

A man with a shaved head was checking that each woman was bound. Audrey frowned. Wasn’t that Milo, one of the carpenters remodeling the downtown buildings?

“Good job.” Milo motioned to the women. “Stuff ’em in the transport.”

“Yes, sir, Lieutenant,” the man beside Lillian said.

Milo motioned toward the white van at the door. “You’re driving that one, Luka.”

“Got it, Conrad.” The man behind Audrey hauled her up and across the room like a child. The back door of a windowless cargo van was open, and he shoved her inside. She twisted to keep from landing on her belly and hit her shoulder so painfully that tears filled her eyes.

But her baby was safe. For now.

Her friends’ risqué singing had changed to…were those screams? On the back patio, Kit spun around as the hair on the back of her neck rose and goosebumps covered her arms.

She ran toward the back door and gripped the handle, then stopped. From inside came men’s loud voices. Shouts. Women were sobbing and crying out in pain.

The months in the PZ compound had taught her the sounds of violence.

Her mouth went dry. The cold in her stomach wasn’t from the night air but sheer terror. Run! She could crawl into the bushes or run down the gravel path into the darkness of the park. I need to hide.

No. Her friends were in there. Her bestie, Frankie. Audrey was pregnant.

I have to help, to do something. But she had no phone; she’d never bought one. She was so stupid!