Page 80 of Uncontrolled

“Found it!” Keeley announces, and then her fingers crawl inside Allie’s shirt and emerge a moment later holding the vial.

“I hate you for this,” she snarls at me and I force a laugh.

“It’s not my fault you’re an idiot.” I make my voice even and calm. “I won’t let you die. Not when you’re worth more alive.”

I only dare a single moment, but I shift so she can see my subtle wink. She’s studying me now, paying closer attention.

“What did you do with my friend Jamison?” I demand.

A split second of confusion flutters across her expression as she blinks at me. “I don’t know anyone with that name,” she says.

Only now, I can see her playing back the conversation we just had about the vial. Cobalt. I watch her lips as she mouths “dandelion.” This time when she looks at me, there’s hope in her eyes. Right until the moment Keeley’s heel connects with Allie’s cheek.

Without her hands to arrest her fall, Allie tumbles sideways, her head thumping hard against the floor.

“What the hell!” I yell, half in shock, half in outrage as Keeley raises her foot to stomp another blow.

Before she lands a third, Zen’s got her arms around Keeley’s waist, dragging the girl backward as Keeley screams obscenities and curses at Allie that leave me stunned. Sweet, innocent Keeley is gone. “You bitch!” she wails. “My mother’s dead because of you!”

She fights against Zen, her legs kicking as she tries to get in another blow. Allie rolls to avoid her spastic feet. Zen’s petting the top of Keeley’s head, stroking her hair as she murmurs something into the girl’s ear. Whatever it is works because Keeley settles with a sob. Tears stream down her red cheeks. She lets herself be dragged into the hall, leaning heavily on Zen.

On the floor, Allie moans.

“How long until we collect?” East asks.

Nico checks her phone. “He said he’s on the road. He’ll collect her personally in the next six hours. Eight at the most.”

“Eight?” East sounds dubious. “We’re stuck babysitting her until then?”

“Guess we’ll need to make sure she’s not going anywhere.” Nico kneels next to Allie and the zip ties come out again. She loops another strap around Allie’s wrists and tightens it. When she’s done, she stands. “Let’s go,” she tells me as she passes.

Allie’s fighting herself into a sitting position against the dresser. Six hours, I think. I want her clear of here inside of two. I’m not taking any chances.

Nico’s waiting for me at the door. I’m the last to leave the room. I don’t risk so much as a fidget in Allie’s direction. When I’m over the threshold and into the hall, Nico swings the door shut and locks it with an antique skeleton key.

“Does this place even have ice?” East says in a clogged voice once the door’s secure. The double swaths of blood flowing from his nose have slowed but he’s making a big show of pinching it off as he follows the sobbing Keeley, Zen still embracing her. Quinn hesitates and then Nico must give him some signal I miss because he nods and follows the rest of them. Soon, it’s just me and Nico in the hallway.

I don’t trust whatever’s going on. If she wanted me captured, she would have kept her brother close. She can’t expect to take me alone. “What happened to Keeley’s mom?” I ask to distract her from her plan.

I’m fairly certain Nico won’t answer before she sighs. “Nothing happened,” Nico says. “Keeley’s grandpa called. The resurrectionist came. The family, they had the money but the person they hired wouldn’t bring her back to life.”

“Sometimes Allie can’t do it,” I say. “There are time limits.” I’m hoping it’ll help Nico shift some blame off the resurrectionists.

“When you said you were holding out on us,” she starts. “You weren’t kidding. How much did you learn about them, Ploy?” Her brow rises in a perfect arc. “Or is it Christopher?”

Hearing my real name makes me feel exposed.

I shrug. Allie’s secrets might win me sufficient points to keep me alive. I still won’t betray her. “Was it Allie who wouldn’t bring Keeley’s mom back?” I say instead.

As she tucks the key into her pocket, Nico shakes her head. “They’re all the same though, aren’t they?”

I’m not prepared for the flippant way she says it. “No,” I say. “Allie, she’s—”

“What, different?” Nico scoffs before she sobers. “You sure you don’t have a thing for that girl?”

My voice won’t come.

“East doesn’t trust you,” she says.

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