The gag was agony, and Ally played up her discomfort to keep Deveraux focused there and not on her wrists which she was working free. The thugs left the knots for the cinch ropes in reach.

“Careful boss. Ally almost has her hand loose.”

Ally was stunned. Not only from the alarm of having her escape thwarted but by the fact that she recognized the uniquely peppy yet slow southern twang the unseen woman spoke with.

“Let’s just tighten these ropes up right quick, y’all.”