Page 64 of Unchained

Dr. Leonetti cocked his head then let out a deep sigh. “Lucky for you I’m a forgiving man. You see, I know you let Brooks go. I know you stole one of my syringes of the drug, and I know you haven’t gone to the police.”

She hiked up her chin. “What’s your point?”

“That I can do a lot of experiments on you before anyone besides Brooks notices you’re gone.”

All the sensation left her face. Terror crawled up her legs like a mouse.

“You can give me his phone number, or I can pull it out of you.”

Cam focused on her breath. If she didn’t keep her attention on something, she’d give in to the panic plucking at her mind. Gripping the scalpel, she found the dull side of the blade and fit her thumb against it. If she could cut the restraint without slicing her wrist, she’d maybe have a shot.

“I don’t remember his number. We’ve been using encrypted phones and didn’t store each other as contacts.”

Leonetti nodded. “Hmm. I see.” He delved into his coat pocket. “That was test number one, to see how truthful you are.” His eyes glittered like the sun on swamp water. “You failed.” He pulled out her phone and brought the screen to life, revealing a picture of her canoeing on a vacation the previous year. “I used your thumbprint while you were passed out,” he explained, his tone placating.

She curled her lip. “Of course I lied. I know how valuable he is to you, but you can’t have him. He’s free now.” She wet her lips. “And whether you kill me or not, he’s coming for you.”

The amusement left Leonetti’s smirk. “Oh my. Do you really think I’d kill you?” He laughed without humor.

Cam’s blood turned solid. Her heart pattered against her breastplate.

“You’re even more valuable than Brooks—do you know why?”

She didn’t answer. Her mind worked at break-neck pace, but nothing clicked.

“Because I can control him . . . with you.”

Leonetti picked up her phone, tapped the screen, and stood. “Say hello to your boyfriend.”

“Hello? Cam, are you there?” Brooks’s desperate tone told her he’d discovered she was gone.

Fresh tears stung her eyes. The drops flowed down her cheeks before she could stop them. She couldn’t save Brooks or herself now. All she could do was hope that he didn’t come for her. A futile hope.

“Cam! Dammit, are you there?”

Leonetti tsk-tsked. He brought the phone to his ear. “Hello, thirty-six. It appears your girlfriend thinks she’s doing something heroic by pretending I don’t have her here with me. Listen carefully,” he said.

Cam furrowed her brow.

Whack!

Leonetti’s knuckles cracked against her cheekbone. She let out a cry as her head snapped sharply to the side. Blinking, she saw stars.

“If you want her to live, you’d better switch spots with her.” Leonetti’s warning punched through her consciousness.

No, no, no. It’s a lie!

Pain radiated through her cheek and head. She gripped the scalpel tighter.

Leonetti’s mouth pinched. “Sure, you can say hello. Make it quick.” He leaned forward and pressed the phone to her ear.

“Cam? Are you hurt?” Brooks’s voice blanketed her, surrounding her in the memory of being in his arms.

Agitation thickened in her throat. She might never see him again, might never hold him or hear his laugh. “I’m fine.” She shot daggers at Leonetti. “Don’t come here. It’s a trap.”

Leonetti yanked the phone away. “You’ve got ninety minutes to get here before I start taking her apart, piece by piece. I’ll send you the coordinates.” He disconnected.

Cam’s vision blurred. Her body quaked. Leonetti dropped the phone in his pocket. He slid his gaze over her body, then back up to her face, his pupils dilating. She curled her toes. Frost collected at the back of her neck.

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