Page 24 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 2

I hadn’t allowed myself to even consider that.

Letting that thought sink in was difficult, but necessary.

I knew what I had to do.

“You’re right. I could use a nap. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

I hadn’t slept well since the tranquilizer wore off at my arrival, so it wasn’t a lie.

“I’m sure you’ll sleep well after that hot cup of tea and a good walk.”

She smiled and suddenly my head started to swim as the hallway began to swirl all around me.

“Oh dear. Are you okay? Best we get you back now. I do believe that sedative was a bit more potent than I planned.”

“You drugged me?” I asked.

“It’s for the best, dear.”

As I began to fade, the smell I’d been chasing became overwhelming and tears sprang to my eyes.

Lachlan.

*****

When I awoke my body was a bit sore, but especially the back of my right arm. It felt much like I was severely hungover on top of that.

I groaned. “What happened?”

“Oh thank God. Sweetheart, it’s me, Maxine.”

Even now, she was careful not to use my real name. Her and Aaron had explained that it was for the best to keep that bit of information to ourselves.

“Where am I?”

“You’re back in the room with us,” Aaron said.

“Helen drugged me. You can’t trust her,” I warned them.

“What did they do to me?” I asked as fresh pain shot through my arm.

“We aren’t sure. Your arm is wrapped, but that’s all we noticed.”

The door unexpectedly clicked open and we all jumped.

I forced myself to sit up. I didn’t want to be caught off guard like that again.

“Ah, great. You’re awake. No wonder you didn’t want to tell us who you are,” Egan said.

The smirk on his face gave me the creeps.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Ran a little DNA test while you were out. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Is that why my arm hurts?”

“Oh, no. That was a biopsy necessary for some tests I’m running. I knew you were a fighter. But a King? I never imagined. What were you doing in Sydney territory, beautiful?”

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