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I don’t dare look at Jack. Because if I do, all those tears bottled up inside me will let loose. This won’t end well for either of us. My guys will find us. They’ll save us.

They have to.

“I find it curious you won’t let someone else take your place.” Zach steps up next to me and swabs my upper arm with an alcohol wipe. I flinch internally but hold still. His fingers burn my cold skin. “And yet, I’m not hearing anyone volunteering for you, darling. Why is that?”

He tsks as he holds up the syringe and taps it twice to make the bubbles rise to the top. Then he pushes the plunger until a little liquid comes out.

I stare at the wall. This won’t break me. This isn’t my body. This isn’t my will.

“Harp—” Jack’s word ends on an oomph.

I turn to see the big guy pulling his fist from Jack’s gut.

“Don’t touch him again.” My words are cold and firm.

The big guy turns his mask toward me. “Like you have any power here.”

“I always have a choice. Agreeing to go with you willingly means no one else gets hurt.” I turn and meet Zach’s cold eyes. “You don’t hurt anyone else, or I will fight every inch of the way.”

Zach smirks down at me. “You can fight, darling. We like a little fight. Makes it more exciting.”

He sticks the needle into my arm and the liquid burns as it goes under my skin and into my muscle, spreading slowly. He pulls the needle out.

“Besides, you might not want to fight in a few minutes.” Zach steps away and sets the needle down. “You should drop your weapons. Can’t have you hitting any of us with those.”

Before I can force myself to release the batons, another masked guy appears in the doorway.

“We have an issue.” His soulless eyes look around the room.

“What?” Zach turns and opens his knife.

The guy clears his throat, which sounds even weirder digitalized. “The others...”

“For fuck’s sake, spit it out,” Tanner says.

“They’re gone.” He backs up a step like he fears retribution. Some of that hope reemerges.

“Fuck.” Zach stabs the knife into the mattress. His eyes blaze as he turns to Tanner, but then he looks at the guy next to him. “You and you. Grab your friend downstairs and go find them.”

The guy standing with Tanner goes out the door with the guy who reported them missing. Kenz, Brandon, and Angela are free. It’s just us.

“Did you forget to lock the fucking door?” Zach looks at Tanner like he’s the world’s biggest idiot.

“I was preoccupied,” Tanner snarls. “They were chained to the floor, so why the fuck would I expect them to get away?”

“Where’s the key?” Zach cocks his head to the side.

Tanner shoves Penny forward and she falls to her knees next to the mattress. She doesn’t make a sound as he checks his pocket.

“Fuck,” he whispers.

“Let me guess? You don’t have it?” Zach shakes his head. “Fuck! It’s like you don’t even try. Seriously. I put some faith in you because this whole thing was supposed to be about your revenge on the fucking horsemen.”

“Like you didn’t want to get back at Luke for fucking Olivia Miller.” Tanner straightens. “He took her virginity, and you were more than willing to rape the horsemen’s next conquest. To take what was theirs because they took what was yours.”

Even though those words aren’t good for me, warmth floods my cold veins. It’s slow, like pouring water over my body. A little shiver goes through me. It doesn’t feel bad. The drugs?

“Olivia was mine. She’s always been mine. And as soon as I destroy this bitch, I’m going to claim Olivia and keep her where no one else will ever touch her again.” Zach’s face is red.