Page 62 of Thirst Trap (Carter Brothers)

There was a crunch of metal hitting metal, then Elliette cursing.

I didn’t get to see what had those filthy words leaving her mouth, though.

I was moved from the ground to something much softer, but with each movement of my body, my vision blurred even more, and I started to get lightheaded.

“I’m going to throw up,” I said to no one in particular.

I felt something go around my neck.

Then I felt something push against my arm.

Minutes passed. Or it could’ve been hours.

I didn’t know.

What I did know was that my brain wasn’t working correctly.

“I’m going to fuckin’ sue all of you!” Costas snarled. “My sister…”

I didn’t hear what else he had to say because we were moving, and I was trying to control my utilities.

“Get her some Zofran,” I heard someone say. “She starts puking, it’s not gonna be good since we have her immobilized.”

I agreed.

A door slammed, the temperature that was surrounding me heated up, then immediately cooled down.

Lights were bright over my eyes, but I was too far gone to open my eyes.

A shout had me trying to peel one open, because for half a second I thought maybe I knew that voice… but then something cool washed through my veins, and I passed out.

Never trust anyone who spells gonorrhea right the first time.

—Quinn to Quaid

QUINN

The carpet between my desk and the door was visibly worn, and that wear had happened in the last two hours as I waited for news about the warrant that was served to Costas.

My stomach was in knots, and the silence on the other end of the line was starting to make me sick.

I hadn’t gotten a call from anyone.

Not my dad.

My brothers.

My team.

I had literally been walking the same path for the last couple of hours as I waited.

The doors of the office banged open, and my entire team filed in, with a furious looking Elliette and Atlas following up the rear.

Atlas had been there because I couldn’t.

Elliette had joined the team as a last-minute addition that I was now regretting as I watched my brother peel away from her the moment that they entered the room.

“What happened?” I asked, addressing everybody.

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