Page 61 of Flawed Revenge

“We’re fine. Your … mom … didn't hurt us,” she said hesitantly, unsure if Rose was aware of their abductor’s identity.

“Damn,” the other woman muttered. “I guess I knew it had to be my mom, but still, I was hoping it wasn't, I guess.”

“You didn't see who abducted you?”

“We saw them, but it was just a group of armed men dressed in black, mercenaries, or I guess, my mom’s private army. They tranqed us all, and I woke up here.”

“Where are the others?”

“Here somewhere, I guess. They weren't with me when I woke up. I was in a room just like this one, a few doors down the hall. I was in bed, tucked in, my shoes removed.”

“Your mom wanted you taken care of,” she said softly, because that’s what she’d do for her daughter.

Rose shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know if the others are in bedrooms as well or if their accommodations are a little less … nice. When I found the door locked, I decided the window was a better way out than trying to pick the lock. I worked my way along the side of the building, checking to see if each room had anyone in it. When I saw a bump in the bed and the chair by the door, I knew you two had to be in here.”

“You climbed along the side of the house?”

“Only way to go. I don’t think we can do that, though, not with Ariella, and not with you injured.”

“You're injured.”

“And I'm used to fighting injured, you're not.”

“So how are we going to get out of here and find the others?” Kate asked.

“I'm not sure yet, but we’ll figure something out.”

Determination flooded her system, and Kate gave a sharp nod. “Damn straight we will. No offense because she’s your mom and all, but that woman is crazy, and I'm not letting her experiment on my daughter. She has to die.”

Rose sighed but nodded. “Yeah, she does.”

Chapter

Eighteen

March 19th

6:44 A.M.

Pain throbbed between his temples.

Pulsing with each beat of his heart.

But … his mind also felt clearer than it had the last time he was conscious.

Uncertain of his surroundings, Lion remained still as he allowed his brain to click fully back on and took in everything he could. He was lying on something hard, but it didn't feel like the dirt from the forest, and that was the last place he remembered being. It was cold, but there was no wind against his skin, so he didn't think he was outside. Even with his eyes closed, he could tell there was a small source of light nearby, and he felt more than heard the presence of other people nearby.

Not a threat, though, his teammates.

Opening his eyes, he had to blink a few times to clear his vision, and he saw that he was lying on the floor of a cell, with the rest of his teammates and their partners scattered around the small space.

“You're awake,” Dragon said from beside him.

“Going to try to kill us?” Blade asked, somewhat warily.

“No,” Lion croaked. His throat felt drier than a desert, and he’d kill for a glass of water, but he was cognizant enough to know that the beast inside him was leashed once again. He’d satisfied it with enough bloodshed, and for the time being at least, it was happy to sit quietly, allow him to be back in control of himself. “Did I hurt anyone?”

“No,” Thunder replied, and Lion let out a breath as relief washed over him.