Page 198 of The Sinner's Bargain

What the fuck was Oliver doing?

I pulled the headpiece off and stuffed it and the phone back into Cyrus’s hand.

“Take care of it,” I tell him through clenched teeth. “Humanely.”

Cyrus inclined his head and stepped back out of the room.

I returned to Naya’s side.

“Work problems?” Malcolm prodded.

I regained my seat next to Naya without sparing him a glance or a response.

CHAPTER FIFTY

NAYA

Tendrils of white fog danced across my vision with the crack of my eyelids fluttering open. Spears of light invaded, and I nearly retreated back to that cool, dark place, but I pushed through.

Sterile was my first thought. Bright, was the next. The overpowering stench of antiseptic, pine cleaner, and recycled air prickled my nose and had me wincing.

“Welcome back, little sister.”

I jumped at the sleepy drawl to my right. A machine next to me gave an equally startled beep. The weight of my head made lifting it impossible, but I rolled my eyes down to the familiar silhouette lounging in the seat next to my bed.

Cot?

I had no idea what this place was or why I was corded to a dozen machines, but all I cared about in that moment was the beautiful face peering at me with its familiar, cocky grin.

“Malcolm.”

My brother rose and moved to take the spot at my hip. The hand pierced with a needle and taped was captured in his.

“What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Naya?” he said softly. “I got you out so you could be free, not strapped to a hospital bed.”

Hospital.

I’d heard about them, but I’d never been in one before. I didn’t like it.

“I wanted to call you,” I rasped through what sounded like cotton.

Something was on my face. A plastic cup. Malcolm helped me pull it over my head, leaving the skin underneath itchy and tender.

“Oxygen mask.” He said when I turned the thing over in my free hand. “Tell me what happened.”

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