Bill nods and offers a smile that he might think is placating, but only looks creepy. “So, are we celebrating or what? I’m ready to go get my girl for the night.” The way he says that it makes my stomach clench and brings every nerve in my body to attention. Trying my best to play it off, I walk over to the drinks, Phoenix not too far behind me.
“What will you have?” I ask.
“Beer for me,” Bill responds.
I open the fridge and Phoenix grabs a bottle of Corona. He pops the top and grabs a lime, putting it in the top, but I notice before he puts the lime in he drops some powder. I glance at him and he nods at me slightly.
“What about you Dr. Chamberland?” I swallow past the lump in my throat. My heart is beating erratically. I might pass out tonight if I keep putting my heart through all this.
“Red wine for me, whatever is open,” he replies.
I glance over my shoulder and notice him and Bill sitting on one of the couches next to each other. Rex is talking to them, keeping them distracted. Nix hands me a small paper container that looks like a small pixie stick candy.
“Pour that in his wine. Can you do that?” he asks. I nod slightly. Grabbing the only bottle of red wine that’s open, I pour him some and quickly pour in the powder Nix gave me. I swirl the liquid in the glass and turn with Nix. We walk to them and with every step, the beat of my heart becomes louder in my ears.
These men are about to die, and they have no idea.Nix hands Bill his beer and I hand Dr. Chamberland his wine. I kind of wish I had taken that rum and coke now. I need something to calm my nerves. Nix walks back over to the bar and I swear my heart stops in my chest. Rex moves where he’s closer to me and I breathe again.
Something Bill said earlier clicks in my head and I tilt my head to gaze at him. He’s halfway through his beer, but Dr. Chamberland has only taken a few sips of his wine.What if they react differently to whatever it was Nix gave them?I mentally shake my head, not worried about that right now.
“Which girl are you going to get tonight?” I ask Bill as he’s about to take another pull from his bottle. Nix comes up next to me and hands me a glass of dark liquid. I’m sure it’s rum and coke, so I give him a grateful smile. Nix puts another Corona on the table in front of Bill. I turn my attention back to Bill to watch him closely.
He finally shrugs. “Whoever I want. I’m the reigning champion. Any girl will be happy to go home with me.” Hedrinks the rest of his beer and grabs the other beer Phoenix brought. I wonder if that one is drugged too.
“What about Shay?” I remember what Felix said earlier and I want to ease my mind that Bill didn’t do something to her. I don’t even remember Shay, but apparently I know her and if I do, I would be concerned about her wellbeing.
“What about her?” The smirk on his face tells me all I need to know. Nix places his hand on the small of my back, communicating with me he’ll take over. I take a sip of my drink and savor the taste.
“We haven’t seen her in four months. Have you seen her recently?” Nix asks. Rex makes a small move, so he’s closer to me, but it seems I’m the only one who notices.
I wonder where Jason is. What if things go badly? Bill can fight. What if he hurts Nix or Rex?
“I can’t remember when I saw her last. Why?”
I tilt my head to look at him.I think he’s had one too many punches to the head.
“Because we haven’t seen her in four months,” Nix replies slowly. Dr. Chamberland watches this exchange as he sips from his wineglass. Part of me wants to tell him to drink it quicker.What if Bill gets affected first?I size Dr. Chamberland up.He isn’t the bigger threat, so maybe it will be okay.
Bill stands quickly, and I flinch slightly. Nix wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side. Bill sways slightly on his feet, and he puts his hand to his head. “I stood too fast.” His words are slurred slightly.
“Shay?” Nix presses.
Bill rolls his eyes. “I had some fun with her a few months ago. Yeah.”
Dr. Chamberland drinks the rest of his wine and continues to remain quiet. He probably thinks it’s in his best interest. No one says anything. It’s unnaturally quiet in the room as Bill swaysagain. Dr. Chamberland puts his head in his hand like he’s beginning to feel the effects of the drug as well.
“But…” Bill’s words slurring. “I didn’t do anything to her she wasn’t asking for.” I bite my tongue so hard I taste copper. Rex moves even closer to me, and I know whatever they have planned is about to happen.
“What about my wife?”
Chapter 27
Phoenix
Dr. Chamberland’s head slowly lifts, the drug taking an effect on him. I put more in his wineglass, knowing he’d only drink one and drink it slowly. Bill’s gaze slides to McKenzie, but I step in the way.
“Don’t look at her. Look at me.”
Bill’s eyes widen and he backs up slightly, running into the couch, then he stumbles and falls back. Dr. Chamberland jerksslightly from the sudden movement. Bill tries to stand again but sways, so he puts a hand out to catch himself.
