Page 154 of Unhinged

I fake a sip of the drink—definitely not touching it. It’s probably drugged. Wouldn’t put it past him.

Another fake sip. Another glance.

The bartender tilts her head toward the bathroom and raises an eyebrow.

Yes. That’s the out.

“I need the ladies’ room,” I say, my voice soft, submissive again.

“Hold it,” he snaps through gritted teeth.

“I can’t,” I say, weaving desperation into every syllable. “Please, Cillian. Just come with me.”

I know damn well he won’t step foot in a women’s restroom.

“For fuck’s sake,” he growls, firing off another text, making another call.

“I have to go. Just let me out.”

I don’t sip the drink. Just pretend again.

When he finally rises, the woman from the bar is shadowing us.

I walk. He flanks me.

“No fucking funny business,” he growls. “I’ll press this fucking button.” His phone screen still shows the app, ready to detonate.

“Of course,” I say dryly. “Just need to piss.”

He growls again, his grip like a vise around my wrist. I wince.

“You’re hurting me,” I whisper, not loud enough to cause a scene, just enough to bait him.

“Thought you liked pain,” he says, his eyes locked on mine.

“I’ve been dying to have a fucking woman I could hurt. You’re the perfect bitch for the job.”

I want to fucking kill him.

“Is that your plan? Beat me into obedience?”

“Now, now. Jesus, woman. You’re such a fucking liar.”

We reach the bathroom.

And then—chaos.

The door slams open.

The entire fucking Kopolov family storms in.

Time stops.

The bartender lunges. She’s closer to him than I am.

“Get his phone!” I scream.

She kicks his wrist—his phone flies, skittering across the bathroom tiles.

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