Page 91 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)
And…
Think, Skylar.
Colt called Liam—as far as I know, none of the other kidnapped girls’ boyfriends were called. Not that Liam is my boyfriend, but he might be the closest thing to it.
God, I’m such an idiot.
I tilt my head back against the wall and close my eyes again. This time, I mentally try to take inventory of myself: my legs are curled under me, and I’m pretty sure one is asleep. I can’t feel my toes. I’m still a little sore from my fall, and lying on what feels like concrete must not have helped.
How long have I been here?
Unconscious?
I pat myself down, making sure my clothes are intact. Everything seems to be fine, but worry gnaws at me.
Outside the room, someone cheers. Not someone, but a lot of someones.
I crawl across the room until I touch the door, using the knob to heave myself up. The whole wall vibrates, and footsteps create shadows in the light.
It swings open, and Colt fills the doorway.
“Up and at ’em, sunshine.” He flicks the light on.
I wince, bringing my hands up to cover my eyes.
He grabs my wrists, looping something around them. Rope.
No, no, no—
“Stop resisting,” he orders, yanking me forward. “This isn’t supposed to be painful. You’re just leverage.”
“Did you kill Amber and Natalie?” I ask.
He pauses, then laughs. “No. Did you think you were going to make the ten o’clock news as the next missing girl?”
I don’t answer, mainly because I wasn’t convinced. I’m still not—Colt could be lying through his teeth.
Somehow, though, I doubt it.
He leans in. “The show’s about to start.”
He guides me out, the grip on my upper arm tight. I realize halfway down the hall that I’ve lost both my shoes, but we don’t slow down. I try to ignore the way the rope on my wrists slides against my skin. It shouldn’t hurt, but it’s all I can focus on.
“Please just untie me,” I say. “I won’t try to run away.”
“Hardly.”
We step into a large room. It’s already packed with people, but there’s a clear empty circle in the center. Only… it’s not so empty.
RJ stands just outside the chalk, his hands raised. “The show we’ve all been waiting for, ladies and gentlemen!”
The crowd cheers.
No one even looks twice at Colt and me.
“The most sought after and requested fighter is back under our roof, and he’s facing a dangerous opponent.” RJ twists around, catching sight of me for a quick second. A frown flashes across his face, but then it’s gone. Replaced by a charming smile for his audience.
“Did he not know about your stunt?” I say to Colt.