Page 16 of Irreversible

Glancing at said criminal, I shrug. “You tell me the requirements, and I’ll find the right candidate.”

“Hmm.” His appraising gaze fixes on me, like I’m filet mignon. “We’re looking for more of a…challenger.”

My heart kicks up a notch.

What in the hell was I thinking, coming out here half-cocked?

“Ah. Who’d you say the buyer is, again?” Like he’s going to tell me.

“I didn’t.” There’s a gleam in his eye. “But I’m told there’s a hunting expedition involved.”

I force a chuckle. “Should I have brought a deer instead of a weasel?”

He stares at me, unnervingly void of expression.

“Well, no worries, man.” I regroup. “I’ll get this rodent out of your way and get back to you when I find something…challenging.”

Time to disappear.

Dolph’s smile is cold. “Don’t bother. We haveexactlywhat we need.”

Alarm bells go off in my head. Sirens. Flashing red lights, the same color as the Viking’s gnarly mat of hair. “Great. I guess I’ll be seeing you, then.” I dart a glance around me, but it’s too late.

I know what’s coming before he opens his mouth. “Hold him.”

Shit.

A body brushes against my back. An arm closes around my neck. A chokehold.

I manage a lucky elbow-jab, knocking the wind out of the guy enough to loosen his grip. Then I go for my gun.

But the other guy catches my arm, twisting until something pops. Stars burst in front of my eyes along with a tearing, searing pain in my shoulder. My weapon falls.

I’m fucked.

As both arms are wrenched behind my back, Dolph kicks the gun away, leering with the excitement of a man who’s found his big payday. My head is yanked back by my hair. He’s saying something, but it’s drowned out by the rush of blood in my ears.

There’s a sharp stab at the side of my throat.

A needle.

“Fucking bastards,” I grit between my teeth. “You’ve got the wrong guy. I can h—” A hand around my throat cuts me off.

Oh, fuck, no. I amnotgoing out like this.

Pure stubbornness surges through my muscles. A second wind. A Hail Mary. A roar rips from me as I jam my knee into Dolph’s gut, then slam my head forward. His nose crunches, spurting hot blood all over the two of us. A cry of pain and outrage sends another rush of energy through my veins. Gritting my teeth against the agony of my shoulder, I twist, dislodging the man behind me enough to make a break for it.

I make it five feet, ten…twenty.

Then everything blurs.

Stumbling, my knees hit the ground with an impact that echoes through my entire body.

Whatever they gave me, I’m suffocating in it. Drowning.

Something flickers in the corner of my vision.

A shadow. A figment. A ghost.

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