Page 110 of Direct Action

I knew it.

Ryan did too.

Poppy.

I couldn’t even think about where she was. My last thread of hope was that Beck would be here soon and he’d save her.

I’m asking you to put yourself first.

I had to put myself first.

And I’d rather die than live through what was coming.

I threw my body to the side, knocking Dex off balance. I made it two steps before his hand wrapped around my throat.

“Fuck, I hate stupid bitches,” he spat.

“Just do it,” I taunted.

His grip tightened, and I came up on my toes, my body’s natural reaction to fight for air.

But I didn’t want to breathe.

“Stupid bitches do nothing for me, but I’m thinking before I put you out to bid, I’m gonna teach you a lesson.”

Out to bid.

Name your price.

I forced myself not to struggle. The less I fought, the quicker this would be.

I love you that much, Chloe.

I closed my eyes, felt Dex’s hand around my throat, but saw Ryan’s smile. I heard his words flow through me. Over and over as my lungs started to burn.

I love you that much, Chloe.

Love you, too, Ryan. So much. So, so much.

Lightheadedness turned into dizziness. The burning in my chest lessened. I felt no fear, only sadness.

Out to bid.

I shoved that thought away.

I need my last thought to be Ryan.

I love you that much, Chloe.

Chapter Thirty-Five

“There’s movement of one of the trackers,” Pete cautiously said.

I understood his caution. Everyone was giving me a wide berth.

Chloe had been at the mercy of a sick motherfucker for the last five hours. My mood was deteriorating and had been since the moment Sterling had called to tell her he was sending a car to pick her up and deliver her to Summit Jets.

No, fuck that. My mood had been deteriorating since she’d accepted the invitation to the party. Now it was disintegrating.