Page 106 of Rescued Duty

Needlelike pain shot through her elbow.

She bit down on her tongue, refusing to give him any sense of victory.

“Hold still,” Roger whispered in her ear. He used his other hand and pulled out a black stun gun. Before she could react, the flashlight shone in her eyes, and she blinked.

He thrust the device into her waist. The zap followed by the surge of electricity coursed through her muscles.

Naya’s body convulsed. Pain tore through her abdomen, and she doubled over.

“I’ve got a surprise for you.” Roger loomed over her.

Her legs twitched, but she couldn’t get her body to move away. A cloth covered her nose and mouth. Naya jerked her head, trying to get away from the sweet-smelling concoction. A minute later, Naya’s world tilted on its axis, and everything went blank.

Fogginess pricked at the edges of Naya’s consciousness. How long had she blacked out?

A door slammed shut, and the force reverberated through her body.

Loud voices echoed from somewhere, and her head throbbed. She slowly opened her eyes and took note of the area. Naya squinted against the harsh lighting.

Where was she?

The space was large. There was a small wired window cut into the only door that led out of the room. White industrial walls surrounded her, and paint supplies and chemicals were stacked in the corner along the concrete floor.

A stale, dusty smell filled her nostrils, and Naya wrinkled her nose.

Gross.

Naya tried to lift her hand only to be stopped by something strapped around it. Her arms were fastened with rope behind her back and tied to the chair.

She didn’t know where she was, but she needed to find a way out.

Where was Roger?

And Zack?

Was Ingram…

Tears pooled in Naya’s eyes, but she couldn’t wipe them away with her hands tied.

A shadow passed by the room, then the door swung open. Naya pushed her feet back and the chair squeaked.

Callahan and Hudson shoved Zack into the room. His hands were tied too, and his knees collided with the ground.

“Zack!” Naya started forward, but the ropes tied around the chair behind her back held her in place.

“Glad to see you’re both awake.” Roger grinned.

“It’ll make the last part of the adventure entertaining.” Hudson shoved his hands in his pockets. “Too bad it won’t end well for you both.”

So Hudson was Callahan’s partner. But why? What was in it for him?

The two men turned to leave.

Zack pushed himself up off the ground and nodded his head to her.

“Wait.” Naya’s heartbeat thrashed in her ears. She needed to stall them. And if Zack had an idea, she’d help.

Zack barreled toward Hudson. The guy went to turn around, but Zack sideswiped him. Hudson took a step back to regain his footing before shoving Zack.