She had lost all hope in the Scott family long ago; this was just anotheryer of disappointment.


    Luna, however, remainedposed. "Miss, don''t be upset," she whispered, trying to soothe her. "A family like that isn''t worth having. You have plenty of other people who truly love you."


    Natalie wasn''t sad anymore. After the suffering of her past life, all she had left was hate.


    "Alright, boys, let''s get to it," Larry said with a lecherous grin, starting to unbutton his shirt. Once Natalie was ruined, Sebastian would want nothing to do with her.


    Two of the men lunged for Natalie, grabbing at her clothes. She feigned terror, screaming, "Ah! Let go of me! Get off!"


    "Haha!" one of the menughed, aroused by the fear in her wide, captivating eyes.


    The moment they ripped her jacket off, two other men turned their attention to Luna. But Luna had already managed to free her hands. She shot them a look so cold and full of murderous intent that the man reaching for her froze for a split second.


    "Whoa! Look at this feisty one," he jeered. "With eyes like that, you could be an assassin in the movies. You''d nail it in one take."


    The other men roared withughter.


    Luna nced nervously toward the door. Where were Keith and the police?


    Just then, the men started pulling at Natalie''s pants.


    "Natty!" Luna cried out, her voice filled with genuine panic.


    Natalie gave her a subtle, reassuring nce. Keith would be here any second. The men were too focused on their task to notice the silent exchange.


    Just as one of them put his hand on Natalie''s waist, the door was kicked open with a thunderous crash.


    "Hands up! Don''t move!" a voice boomed, as two dozen heavily armed SWAT officers stormed the room.


    Larry stared in disbelief. Why were there so many cops?


    Natalie and Luna let out a collective sigh of relief. Her n was simple: these men were Joanna''s hidden pawns, and she intended to remove them, one by one.


    "What the hell? Who called the cops?" Larry bellowed, snapping out of his shock. BANG! A bullet whizzed just over his head.


    He froze, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at the officers, certain the next bullet would tear through him.


    "Nobody move!" an officer shouted. "Hands on your head! Get on the ground, now!"


    Terrified, Larryplied immediately, dropping to his knees and sping his hands behind his head.


    Two female officers rushed in and untied Natalie and Luna. Instantly, the two women put on a masterful performance, trembling uncontrobly.


    Larry and his men were utterly baffled. They''d done this kind of thing before. Why were they suddenly getting caught?


    "Are you two alright?" the older female officer asked gently, picking up Natalie''s jacket and draping it over her shoulders.


    With tears in her eyes, Natalie shook


    her head Officer, thank you for getting here in time. If you''d been a minuteter, I, 1. She trailed off looking down at her disheveled state.


    "It''s okay, you''re safe now," the officer said, her heart aching for the terrified young woman. "We''ll make sure these monsters are punished. Let''s get your jacket on properly."


    As the other officers hauled the men


    to their feet Larry shouted desperately at Natalie, "Natalie, tell them! Exin that you were the one who invited us here! This has nothing to do with us! We didn''t kidnap you!" He was frantic. Joanna had told him Natalie was a gullible fool he could easily manipte.


    Natalie looked at him as if he were an idiot. Her gaze was cold for a split second before she turned to the police with a look of pure confusion. "What what are you talking about? Your kidnapped us! You were going to


    to assault us! don''t even know who you are! Why would invite you anywhere? Is this some kind of sick joke?"