Lia’s eyes rolled back, and she let out the first of several bloodcurdling screams.
* * * *
Marcelle regained consciousness sometime before sunrise, only to find she and Josh had been locked in some sort of cell. They were in a dingy basement, but she had no idea where. Royal Hill and his goon Seb stood on the opposite side of the bars. She was disheartened to see Hill had another minion but shouldn’t have expected any less. Turds like Hill always had people around them.
“I apologize for the rustic accommodations,” said Hill. “I use this cell as a holding place for some of the creatures I use in my work. Some of them lack manners. The last occupant was a nasty lynx shifter who pissed on the floor. I realize the smell is foul, but you won’t be here long.” With a grin, Hill headed for the stairs. “Let’s go, Seb.”
Seb turned the key. His mouth turned down at the corners, like a petulant teen who hated his job at the mall. He wouldn’t look Marcelle in the eye.
Was it possible she spied some remorse in the henchman’s averted gaze?
Maybe, when Seb came back, she could talk some sense into him.
Right now, she just wanted Josh to wake up. Her tranquilizer had worn off, but he was still groggy. Of course, he’d taken two shots. He lay naked on the cold floor of the cell next to her, his body battered and bruised, blood at his lip.
If she ever got her hands on Hill, she’d kill him.
The maniac had actually introduced himself as she came to. He’d said he had plans for her and her boyfriend and that they needed to “be good.” As long as they cooperated, he wouldn’t kill them.
She hadn’t believed a word. He would kill them as soon as he no longer needed them. He had to be planning something for Gemini Island. It was the only thing she and Josh had in common. If only she could get a message to Ryland.
Josh stirred and groaned. He must be in pain.
Royal Hill would die, and she would make sure to flip him off at his funeral.
“Josh?” She laid a hand on his side, on one of the few spots on his body without a visible wound. “It’s me.”
“Marcelle.” He opened his eyes, looked around the cell, and sat up quickly. His eyes started to roll back in his head.
“Don’t move. You’ve been hurt. I’d really like you to stay conscious.”
“Are you hurt? Where are we?”
“I’m fine.” She filled him in on all the details she’d learned so far.
When she finished relaying the information, his mouth twisted. “I’ll kill that goddamn motherfucker.”
“My, my, doctor. This, from the man who once apologized to me for saying shit.”
“I need to get you out of here.” He hung his head and grimaced. “My head hurts.”
She snuggled up next to him and rubbed his thigh. Hell, they were naked and locked in a cell together. As far as she could tell, they’d already skipped a few dates. There was no place for false modesty here. “Just try to breathe for a minute.” She sat quietly next to him. “There. Are you still with me?”
He looked at her, his eyes full of wonder. “I’m with you.”
“Those blue eyes.” She grinned. “It’s how I knew you were the second bear. You saved my life.”
“I did a piss-poor job of it.”
“You had no way of knowing Hill was out there somewhere, lurking like a creep.”
“I saw you from my condo window. Your doe was running through the streets. I’ve never felt such fear in my life.”
“You tracked me down?”
He nodded.
“Wow. You really are my hero.”
