With an apologetic shrug, he wrapped an arm around her chest, pulling her back flush with his front. Kat screamed and tried to get free, but once again, the man’s strength overpowered hers.
Moving her forward, closer to the man in charge, he spun her around, pushing her body against the hard, metal table in the center of the room. Pressing himself against her, Walker forced her to arch her back until her upper body was lying flat on the top of the table.
Holding her arms above her head to keep her immobile, Kat was unable to do anything but lie there and scream.
Using his body to keep her in place, Walker continued to hold her down at her wrists while Bukhari examined the veins on the inside of her left arm. Pressure from Walker’s weigh sent a sharp, burning pain through her already-injured ribs,
“There.” He pressed against one of the larger ones. “I think this one will do nicely.”
“You’re crazy!” She ground out, still trying futilely to break free.
Kat winced as Bukhari pressed the tip of the sharp needle into her skin. A cool, burning sensation began spreading up her arm, and she watched with horror as he slowly plunged the remaining liquid into her vein.
“I don’t know what has you so concerned. This is harmless to the human body. Yes?”
He pulled the needle free and let her go, silently instructing Walker to do the same.
The second Walker lifted himself off her, Kat sucked in deep breath. The action caused the pain in her side to ignite once more, but at least she was no longer being held down.
Angry, for so many reasons, Kat pushed against Walker’s chest as she made her way past the two men.
“Yes. The serum itself is harmless.” She walked backward, putting as much space between herself and the two men as possible. “But—”
“Then what are you afraid of?” Bukhari cut her off, pulling a pistol from the holster at his hip.
Oh, I don’t know. A bullet traveling at over six hundred miles an hour as it rips through my flesh seems to come to mind.
Kat’s legs went weak, and she felt as though she were going to throw up.
“This is crazy, Bukhari.” Walker put himself between her and the potential bullet. “You hurt her, and the serum doesn’t work, you’re back to square one.”
“How else will I know it works, if we don’t test it?”
“Then go get one of your fucking lackeys. Not the doc I’ve worked my ass off to bring to you.”
“The rest of your money was already transferred, so why do you care what happens to her?”
It was a valid question, and one Kat wouldn’t mind knowing the answer to, but right now she had bigger things to worry about.
While the two men continued to argue, Kat inched herself away, closer to the explosive concoction she’d made. She’d barely made it when she heard Bukhari give Walker a final warning.
“Either get out of the way, or I’ll shoot you first. And I won’t bother giving you the damn serum.”
Kat watched Walker closely, praying he’d have a sudden change of heart and take Bukhari down before he could hurt her or anyone else.
Instead, the man shook his head and said, “You’re making a mistake.” He then turned and started walking for the door.
“Wait!” Kat hollered for him as he passed by. She knew it was crazy to think this man, the same man who’d murdered her father in cold blood would actually help her, but she’d seen something behind his eyes.
A spec of compassion and humanity when he’d stitched her up. He’d come to her aid when Bukhari had been kicking her in the hallway, and he’d tried to prevent the bastard from shooting her.
There had to be some bit of decency in there, somewhere. Therehadto be.
But as he made his way to the door, he simply turned and said, “I’m sorry, Katherine. I truly am.” And then he left her. Alone…with a killer.
“P-please,” Kat begged Bukhari. “Don’t do this.”
“Why not? You said the serum works, correct?”
