Mesmerized

only man she wanted touching her was Jake.  Just the thought of those men touching her pissed her off. Something was nagging her—like there was an answer in front of her face and she was missing it. It had something to do with her powers and she couldn’t put a finger on it. Something her mother had told her. Lily leaned her head against the seat and tried to remember.
     

Chapter Thirteen
     
     
     
    The car finally rolled to a stop. Lily heard the doors open and then slam shut. Her stomach was in knots when her door opened. A pair of rough, calloused hands dragged her out and tossed her on the ground. She was so disoriented with the blindfold on. 
    "Careful with that one. The boss will want to see her unharmed. Hopefully, he'll pass her on to us." The man’s voice was gruff.
    The other one laughed. "I have a feeling Boss will want to keep this one to himself." Lily could feel his hot breath on her neck. He traced his finger down her face and she wanted to throw up. Her mind was racing. Why hadn't they said anything about Jake? 
    "Watch out when you get that one out of the trunk. The boss says he's dangerous."
    "He looks like a kid to me. But, I never underestimate what the boss says. If he says he's dangerous, he probably is."
    Lily heard the trunk pop open. She desperately wished she could see Jake to know he was okay. 
    Suddenly Lily was pushed forward and she tripped over her own feet. "You're going to regret this," she spat.
    "Shut up or we'll gag you too." 
    Lily clamped her mouth shut. 
    She was led into a building and down a set of stairs. The hair on her neck stood up. They were taking her to a basement? The further down they went, the colder she felt. 
    "We brought you a special treat, Boss." 
    Lily could sense another presence in the room. 
    "Indeed you have. Take off the blindfold." A deep smooth voice replied. Lily's heart accelerated. 
    When the blindfold came off she was met with a bright fluorescent light in her eyes. She blinked, trying to focus, but it wasn't working. She racked her brain trying to think of what to say to get out of this mess. There were at least three of them, and there could be others. Perhaps it was best to just play along for now and use her power when it was most needed. Lily wished she could touch her necklace for comfort.
    She finally got a good look at the boss. He was an older man, graying at the temples. He looked rather distinguished—as if he was born with a silver spoon. He approached her, looking her up and down. “Very nice,” he said with a sickening smile on his face. “She was with the boy?”
    “Yes.”
    “Excellent. Not only a treat, but leverage as well.”
    Lily shuddered. 
    “What’s your name?” the boss asked.
    Lily stayed quiet. She wasn’t giving this guy any information about herself. 
    The boss ran his hand down her side and let it linger at her waist. "You will talk, believe me." He turned to his men. “Throw her in the closet.”
    “Sure thing, Boss.” The two men yanked her by the arms, opened the door, and tossed her in. 
    Lily fell to the ground. She was able to sit up and back against the wall. It was cold and damp. A tiny bit of light came in from under the door. She could still hear them talking. 
    “Bring me the boy!” the boss demanded. 
    She heard the men leave and began fidgeting with the rope around her wrists. A few minutes later, she heard footsteps on the stairs. She heard Jake groan, and her heart felt heavy. 
    “We meet again, Jake.”
    “Where is she?” Jake demanded.
    The boss ignored him. “How many years has it been since I last saw you? Eight?”
    “Where is she?” Jake repeated.
    She heard a sigh and then the door opened. “She’s right there. She’s fine...for now.”
    “Lily, you okay?”
    So much for not giving out her name. “I’m fine, Jake.”
    The door slammed closed. She heard Jake’s voice again. “If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you. That's a promise.”
    The boss laughed. “I don’t think you’re in the position to be threatening me. How about this? You tell me what I want to know, and she’ll stay alive.”
    “I’ve told you a million times, I don’t know what you want to know!” Jake raised his voice. 
    Lily heard shuffling, and then another groan. 
    “I’ll let you think about it for a few minutes, maybe it’ll come back to you. Otherwise, that striking girl of yours is going to endure some pain. And you know how I enjoy pain." 
    "Leave her out