Page 105 of Sinners Retreat

“Whoa, whoa, let’s just calm down.”

I recognize Bennett’s voice, so I don’t need to turn around to know that he’s behind me. I keep my eyes trained on Ezra.

“What’s the truth, Bennett?” I ask. “You knew about this secret all along, so you must know Ezra’s motivation for killing my fucking brother.”

“It’s just like he told it,” Bennett says. “Your brother was the worst kind of awful. Do you know how many kids he hurt?”

I take a deep breath because I don’t have enough bowie knives to go around. “None. He didn’t hurt kids. He loved them.”

“This must be really hard to accept, but you’re right about one thing. He loved kids.” Bennett pauses, and the slight quiver to his voice makes me do the same. “Loved them right into therapy. He loved one so much that the poor kid tried to kill himself at the age of thirteen.”

“We have the proof,” Ezra says. “If you can just wait until we get back to New York?—”

“No!” I raise the blade and secure my grip again. “There is no more waiting. This is on my terms, and the only thing I want is the truth.”

Gritting my teeth, I prepare to throw the knife, but Bennett gets to me before I can. Powerful biceps pin my arms to my sides, and I’m useless to fight against him. He might be a tad smaller than Ezra, but he’s just as strong.

Before I can scream or land a kick against his legs, a sharp pain pierces my thigh and I drop the knife. Did he fucking stab me?

My six-month stint of self-defense classes kick in, and I relax my body. Bennett struggles to grip my dead weight. I slide out of his hold, get to my feet, and dart for the trees. I glance back, but they aren’t following me.

Bennett, Ezra, and Maverick stand by and watch as I disappear into the jungle. They probably realize I’m fast too can’t...

Huh?

Why are my numb . . . ?

Water. Running water.

That’s the first thing I hear as I rise from a thick fog. My mouth feels like a cat shit in it, and pain pounds against my temples.

They fucking drugged me.

I try to sit up, but thin ropes keep me strapped to the bed. I move my hands and discover my wrists have been bound as well. The rope is familiar, and as my hazy mind begins to clear, I realize why.

“Fucking Ezra,” I groan.

“He’s not here right now,” someone says beside me.

I turn my head and try to peer through the shadows. The lights are off and the curtains are drawn, so it’s difficult to see much of anything. By the way the bed creaks, I’m fairly certain I’m in a villa.

But whose?

It’s not mine. I sprayed my pillows with peppermint oil because it helps me sleep. These pillows smell like expensive cologne, and it’s not Ezra’s. I also don’t recognize the voice, so it’s not Bennett beside me, either.

“I’ve turned off the lights because it will be easier on your eyes,” he says. “Would you like me to turn them on now?”

“I wouldlikeyou to un-fucking-tie me. I’ll even give you a five-minute head start before I come after you.”

The man chuckles, and a light clicks on. It’s Maverick.

“As much as I would love to untie you, I need to talk to you. Bennett figured you wouldn’t listen if we didn’t strap you down.”

“Bennett was right. Where is that sorry son of a bitch and his stupid brother?” I glance around the room, but we’re the only ones here.

“They’re in Bennett’s villa. What I’m about to tell you was news for them as well, and they’re trying to process it.”

I roll my eyes and consider launching a glob of spit at him because he’s clearly in on this. “Whatever you three came up with as a story, I don’t want to hear it. I am done listening to lies.”

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