Page 75 of Wicked Promises

My adrenaline immediately kicks into high gear.

We enter the bedroom. He takes one side, I take the other.

I stare down at the slumbering Matt Bonner.

Theo and I discussed the plan only briefly. Margo pointed the finger, and Caleb couldn’t proclaim his innocence. So we’re taking matters into our own hands. We’ll see what Matt has to say.

Theo holds up the roll of duct tape. It makes a noise as he rips a few inches off, and we both lean forward. The first touch is Theo slamming the tape down over Matt’s mouth. I grab his arm, Theo takes the other, and when Matt wakes, we’re ready.

He thrashes in our hold, but we keep him pinned to the bed.

I punch him in the gut.

He groans.

We get him off the bed and toss him to the floor. He makes athump, but we wrestle him into position to tape his ankles and wrists. Finally, Theo pushes him onto his back. Matt’s wild eyes take in our faces, and his nostrils flare.

Of course he recognizes us.

We’re not trying to hide.

“It’s your lucky day, Matty,” I whisper. “You’ve won a free trip to Rose Hill.”

He shakes his head, but Theo and I are moving again. We pick up Matt, who immediately starts thrashing. I wrinkle my nose.

“Maybe we should knock him out,” I suggest.

Theo sighs.

Matt stops.

“We’re just taking you for a little ride,” I assure him. “If you struggle, you’ll be lights out. Promise.”

My knuckles are already split. One more punch wouldn’t kill them.

I glance around the room, and my attention lands on a figurine.

A mermaid.

“This what Caleb asked you to work on? Ironic, since you’re so into tech…” I go over and pick it up. “Is there still information on this?”

He glares at me, then slowly nods.

“Excellent.” I pocket it. We’ll figure out how to get rid of the incriminating shit later. Like this casual abduction.

Anticipation creeps through me when we exit his room and go back to the one we entered through. Matt’s room faces the street. It would be too conspicuous if someone happened to see. The already opened one, however, faces shrubbery.

We make it without incident. Eli waits for us at the window, and his expression is exasperated.

“Took you assholes long enough.”

Theo rolls his eyes. We shove Matt’s legs through first, which Eli guides to the ground, and then his head. He shoves Matt to the ground while we come out.

None of us are in a particularly gentle mood.

Caleb is pretty much a brother. The four of us? Family. And this asshole masqueraded as a friend, but hehurtCaleb and Margo.

We’re going to find out why.