Elite & Tawdry ✔ [COMPLETE]

Chapter 57

Tawny found herself handcuffed to a bar attached to a wall in the basement of Westinghouse Manor.

She was locked up in a little closet within the wine cellar, a single bulb hanging from the ceiling as the solitary light illuminating the dim space. Tawny tapped her wrist laconically against the cool metal of the bar, making a clanging sound.

"Can you cut out that damn clanging?"

Tawny immediately stopped. Across from her sat two of the mansion's security cronies on a bench. Tawny was moderately annoyed that neither of them thought to offer her a seat.

She noted that although all the security duty wore the same outfit, these two in particular seemed different. For one, they seemed a bit younger than the other men, perhaps just a year or two out of their teens from the way they interacted with each other. They also seemed less professional; they both had stripped their outer uniform blazer and rolled up their sleeves, displaying arms completely covered in tattoos. One had numerous piercings decorating their left ear. The other had a raised scar over their right eye and vibrant red tattoo that snaked all the way up to the back of his shaved skull.

It was the one with the skull tattoo that had snapped at her. She didn't know why, but these men gave her a sense of unease. With Dylan's other security, she felt intimidated but never felt unsafe. With these two, however...

She noticed the one with the piercings leering at her a bit too intensely. To Tawny, it felt invasive and threatening, and she involuntarily gripped the bar she was handcuffed to just a little bit tighter.

Scar lolled his head back and let out a groan. "How much longer must we babysit this brat?"

"The old bag told us to keep her down here for a few hours and then she'd call the authorities," said Pierced Ear. "She doesn't want to disturb their fancy dinner party."

Shit, Tawny inwardly swore to herself. She was missing the one event she had spent months preparing for. She was looking forward to meeting the elusive Bryce and to finally see him and Dylan reconcile as father and son. Instead, she was likely going to spend the night in a jail cell several miles away from the manor.

In a few moments, however, that was to be the least of Tawny's worries.

"I'm so bored," said Scar, rubbing his face with his hands. "I don't know why you talked me into taking this stupid gig..."

"I know how we can pass the time..." said Pierced Ear. As he said it, he was looking right at Tawny.

Instantly, she felt her blood run cold.

He stood up and approached her. "This one's apparently a bad seed and won't be back. Might as well have a little fun while she's here with us."

"Anything happens to this girl on our watch and we'll be out of a job, too," said Scar, who also stood up to approach Tawny.

"Well, it's our word against hers," replied Pierced Ear. "Besides, even if they believe her, we'll be paid and long gone by then."

A sense of dread overtook Tawny as she realized she was in danger. Desperately, she pulled against the pipe with all her might, praying that either it or her handcuffs would give way. "Somebody help!" she screamed.

"Scream all you want, Sweet Cheeks," said Pierced Ear. "No one can hear you. No one's going to bother to help you."

But Tawny wouldn't relent; she wouldn't give up. She used her legs to kick at them, and successfully connected with Scar's stomach, knocking him to the floor.

In the next instant, Tawny saw stars as the other man punched her over the head with the full force of his fist. She crumpled to the ground, disoriented and her vision blurry.