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Igrabbed the space in the ceiling and began pulling myself up just asDamonburst through the door. “Whatthe hell are you doing?”
BeforeIcould hoist myself up completely, two freakishly strong hands wrapped around my thighs and yanked me down.
Ifell against a hard chest.Hisensemble was still in place, the white shirt crisp as ever, the designer belt looped around his snug pants and wrinkle-free.Theperfectly sculpted torso could be easily made out under the material of his thin shirt, reminding me whyIhad been complicit with the enemy.Abeautiful monster made me lapse on my rational senses.
Despitethe rough manhandling,Damonset me down on the ground surprisingly gently.Hekept me in place with an arm wrapped around me and eyed my shoes tucked sloppily under my armpit. "Goingsomewhere?Itold you thatIdon’t like it when you run from me.”
Imet him stare for stare, holding the intensity.Thehunger behind his eyes was the only guarantee he wouldn't spot the jacket on the couch becauseDamonnever looked away from me.Buta ruthless man desiring me didn’t mean he wouldn’t kill me for his gain.Ihad to catch him by surprise to make a run for it.
Ittook immense control to maintain my neutral composure. "IthoughtIsmelled smoke.”
Hegave me an odd look. “Youthought there was a fire, and your first instinct was to climb into a tight space instead of opening the doorI’vebeen banging on?”
Iwent with the truth. "It’sstupid,Iknow.ButIcan’t seem to think straight or hear things properly.”
Jackpot.
Itwas the first thingIsaid thatDamonbelieved.Theasshole drugged me and knew my mind was playing tricks on me.
Iscowled as if irritated. “So,Ifreaked out over nothing?Thereis no fire?”
Damoncontinued to stare at me, giving his head a slight shake.Hewas trying to figure out if my behavior was an aftereffect of the drugs he fed me or ifIknew more thanIwas letting on.
"Let’sgo back to our table then,”Isuggested.
"Afteryou.”
Damonreleased me, andIheld his gaze asIbacked away.Ineeded enough distance between us for a head start.ThemomentIgave him my back,Idove for the door and turned the handle.
Locked.
WhenIinitially locked the door,Iused the deadbolt.Butnow, turning the deadbolt did nothing.Therewas a keypad above it, which was previously inactive.Angry, flashing red lights blinked on the pad, indicatingDamonactivated it to gain entry.
Iassessed my options for escape and realized there were none other than the vent.Phonesdidn’t work inside the club, either.
Thereweren’t any noises coming from behind me.Iwas certainDamonwas looped in by now after finding his disheveled jacket on the couch and knowingImust’ve uncovered the hidden items.Hetook his glorious time approaching me.Itwas the smug declaration of a checkmate.
“Howmany times doIhave to tell you thatIdon’t like it when you run from me?”Damonspoke from behind but didn’t sound angry.Instead, he tried to engage me in a conversation.
Unableto turn around and admit defeat,Istood facing the door.HowdidIlet this happen?HowcouldIbe so careless?
Damonread my mind. “Don’tbeat yourself up,Poppy.Ibested you becauseIknow everything about you.Theodds were stacked against you from the momentIentered your room.Therewas nowhere to run from me because you’ve only ever had the illusion of freedom, never the real thing.”Healmost sounded sympathetic.
Istilled when his imposing presence touched my back.Hislips grazed against my neck.
“Iplanned on returning the photo to you.Butit doesn’t matter now, does it?”
“Youcame to the bathroom because you knewIfound the picture,”Iguessed. “How?”
WhenDamondidn’t speak,Iglanced over my shoulders.Ina trance-like state, his face filled my vision.Staysharp,Iscolded myself.
Damonpointed at the potted plant off to the side of the room. “World'ssmallest camera.Thesewere implanted today in the waiting room of the bathroom and every section of theVIParea.Itold you that you were being watched.”
Despitethe ominous threat hanging in the air, a sudden calm descended upon me, the warmth of it coursing through my veins.Somehow,Imanaged to spin in place to face him.Iwatched him, mesmerized, as his features shifted before my eyes.Iswayed a little, andDamonpreemptively gripped my hips.
"TheGHBis kicking in.Don’tfight it.”
GHB?Thecobwebs cleared momentarily, andIscanned my brain for the name.Itwas a party drug meant to relax people, right?
