Page 148 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)

“I don’t know why you’d think you were given a sedative here,” he said, kissing my throat. “There’s no medical evidence to suggest that would be a good place to inject it.”

“I just have a feeling,” I replied. “I don’t know. Ever since I first heard, I’ve had that sensation. I don’t know where else I would’ve picked it up from.”

I scramble at Detective Masters.

He pushes my face to the car, my cheek smashed on the cold paint. I can’t get to him now, not with my whole body contorted.

“It’ll be over soon,” he says.

My limbs get heavy, but it doesn’t completely knock me out. I sag, and he hoists me up. The trunk is already open, and he sets me down gently. My head still bumps on the floor, though.

With quick efficiency, he pulls my wrists together and zip ties them, then my ankles. Every one of my muscles is weighted with lead, and my feeble attempt to kick him off is met with a soft grunt, then… nothing.

“Just in case you get any ideas,” he says, almost as an afterthought. He pries my mouth open and jams something soft inside, then puts duct tape over it.

And then he slams the door shut, and I…

I can’t breathe.

Panic constricts me, and I roll until I’m tipped forward, my head angled for the floor. If I puke, I’ll probably asphyxiate. I take slow, deep breaths. My eyes won’t stay open.

His SUV makes a series of sharp turns, and I slide a bit, bumping my head hard against the plastic. Colorful spots dance in front of my eyelids.

I just want to lose consciousness.

But I don’t.

40

Liam

I flash my phone to Eli. We left Caleb and Theo at the latter’s apartment. I couldn’t be there anymore, and I think Eli was getting frustrated, too.

“Who’s McAdams?”

“The detective investigating the dead girls. Missing girls. Missing and then dead… Whitney is still alive,” I say hurriedly.

He rolls his eyes. “You could’ve just said the case, and I would’ve known what you meant. Boston is under a microscope lately.” Then, “Are you going to answer it?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I didn’t know she even had my number.”

“But you have hers,” he points out.

That’s fair. I only entered it into my phone after she called Sky. I didn’t want to be caught unawares.

And yet, here I am, staring at her ID and having no idea why she’s calling.

“Answer it,” Eli says.

“Fine.” I slide the green bar and say, “Liam Morrison.”

Eli glares at me.

“Liam, this is Detective McAdams. Is Skylar with you?”

I frown. “Um, no. She should be at the apartment.”

I’ve been with the guys for an hour. An hour too long, if you ask me, since all we’ve done is bicker.