Why didn’t you open it for her?Rosie chides Viktor.
Because I wanted her to see that the seal was unbroken,he replies.
Oh wow, you’re two steps ahead.Sorry,she tells him.
Their talk about the water bottle stirs my uneasiness.
What happened to me last night?I ask.
Rosie sits down on the bed next to me and pats my hand.Before we start, I want you to know that you’re fine.Nothing, uh, violating happened to you.
Besides the obvious—that you can’t remember last night,Viktor says with a scowl.
What I can remember is how cruel he was last night.How I swore I would never speak to him again.But this Viktor is a completely different man.
Rosie turns to him.You tell her, you were there.
Well, after we, uh, talked at the party,he begins.If you calltalkingViktor insulting me and me insulting him right back.
You were with his frat guy.Dougie?
Bile rises in my throat.
He put something in your drink.Sleeping pills, actually.We saw him taking you upstairs and you didn’t look right, so we followed—
Who is we?I ask.
Me, Mats, Sinc, and Coty,he replies.
I turn to Rosie with a raised eyebrow.
She smiles.Roy Matsumoto, Jack Sinclair, and Antoine Côté.All on the hockey team.
Oh.Okay, please continue,I say.
Viktor nods.He took you into a bedroom, but we got there before anything could happen.And then we took you to the hospital to make sure you were okay.
I blink.Wait, I’ve been to the hospital too?A lot happened while I was asleep.
Rosie holds up a hand.Evie, you do understand that you weren’t just asleep, right?You were drugged.
Yes, I get that.I’m very careful about what I drink.No photos were taken, were they?All I can hear is my father’s lectures about kompromat.
Viktor sighs.I don’t think so, but I can double-check.But you’re weren’t, uh, undressed or anything like that.Anyway, the nurse said we needed to keep an eye on you, so we brought you back here.Besides, you didn’t have a purse or phone, so we didn’t know where you lived.
Oh.I think back.Angelica has my phone, and I left my purse at—I shut my mouth before I reveal all the Revenge Squad details.
Angelica Ford?Viktor’s worried expression has been replaced by a frown.
No.Of course not.I mean, just someone from my residence named Angelica.My slow-moving brain is not helping me to lie.
Speaking of your residence, is there anyone who might be worried about you?Rosie asks.
Oh, poor Annie.Yes.Could I use your phone to message her?
Rosie fumbles in her pocket, but Viktor is faster, his outstretched hand offering a sleek black phone that’s already unlocked.
I message Annie:Hope you’re not too worried.I’m fine.I’ll be home soon.
