The People Traders Read Free Page A

desperate bid to stop her. She was halted in her tracks, stumbling back as he pulled her t-shirt. Then he hit her over the head with the milk bottle and Karen slumped down, unconscious. He knelt at her side and checked her breathing. She was still alive. The girl had given him a hell of a fight and he needed to take stock. Moments later, he dragged her back down the stairs into the kitchen. Quickly, he pulled her t-shirt up over her head and then back down, pinning her arms behind her and tying it in a makeshift knot.
    He then stood and looked down at her. "Right, you little shit, let's see you escape Frankie now," he hissed. Walking to the sink and filling a bowl with cold water, he threw the contents at her. Seconds later she came round, coughing and spluttering as the mass of water got up her nose.
    "Had enough, kid, or do you want me to take the strap to your bottom?"
    "What do you want to do... kill me... is that it?" she gasped.
    Frank forced a laugh. She'd had it and all he needed was to dent her ego. "Kill you?" He sniggered and then continued aggressively. "I'm not going to kill you, but believe me today's a day you'll wish I had, that I can promise."
    She didn't understand his words. "So what do you want?"
    "You'll know in good time. But first you've got a choice. Go like that, just in your pants, or agree not to struggle anymore and I'll let you dress. You see, Karen, you and I need to go for a little ride. We've, or rather you've, a date with a ship, and it won't wait."
    She lay there not answering, so Frank moved closer, kicking her in the side. Karen winced at the pain but still didn't reply. He dropped down, his face inches from hers. Karen cowered back, at the same time struggling to release the knot in the t-shirt behind her back, out of his sight. But it was hopeless as the knot was too tight.
    "Five seconds and you go like this. Otherwise you agree to come without any trouble and I'll let you dress."
    There was no way out so Karen agreed. At least, she'd decided, there would be time to plan her escape. As it was, with only knickers on, she felt distinctly embarrassed, apart from extremely vulnerable, and he could inflict pain on her body too easily. He untied the t-shirt before standing, allowing her space. She dragged herself up with difficulty, the pain in her stomach making her gasp for breath between bouts of coughing.
    He watched and waited till she'd stopped then grabbed her arm. "Now dress quickly, then we go."
    With her head throbbing from the blow and the intense pain in her stomach, Karen struggled, clinging to the banister as she climbed the stairs. He followed her up, watching, while she pulled on her jeans and lace-up boots. Convinced now there was no fight left in her, Frank turned away, glancing at Susan. She'd begun to stir. Blood was streaming from a badly cut cheek, her jaw broken after hitting the door post. She just lay on the floor staring up at Frank, the pain so intense she couldn't speak.
    Frank moved closer to her. "I told you to stay in the bedroom, didn't I? Now listen well. Tell Karen's father Frank Whittle was here, he'll understand."
    He stood and Susan stupidly made a grab at his leg, more for help, than to try to stop him. But Frank glared down at her, giving her a kick in the ribs and another and another, all the time Susan screaming in pain. Then he burst into laughter. "Take a good look," he shouted behind him, "piss me off and I'll break your fucking jaw like Susan's, and that's before kicking the shit out of you. So finished or not, get yourself out here."
    Karen, already dressed, made her way past Susan without looking down or saying a word. Where she was going she'd no idea. She now realised this girl had set her up and she hated her for it. At the bottom of the stairs Karen waited by the front door. Frank ran down and told her to place her hands inside the top of her jeans, then he wrenched her belt up tight. Removing a cord from his pocket, he bound it round her,