Page 5 of Oliver

But I was also smart. I’ll get out of here somehow.

They’d left me water in a metal cup. I was thirsty, but what was in the water? Think Emery. Something had put me to sleep the last time I drank the water. What the hell was going on?

Still thinking. My brain was a little sluggish. How long have I been here?

Still way too dangerous.

They took my phone.

They grabbed my body from the locker room. Someone had to have seen me. There were cameras everywhere. How could they get by with kidnapping me?

They took mycontrol for now. I would get it back.

But they hadn’t taken my mind.

And they sure as hell hadn’t taken my will.

I didn’t know who was coming for me—if anyone evenwas.

But if I had to get out of this place on my own?

I will get out of here.

And if someonewascoming?

I wish they would hurry. I’m tired of this room.

3

Emery

The door creaked open with a sound that felt deliberate. I held myself together. They were not going to hurt me again. The door made a noise.

Like they wanted me to hear it.

I stayed still.

Sitting on the edge of the cot. Shoulders relaxed. Hands folded in my lap.

Let them think I was docile.

Let themassume.

The man who stepped in was tall, perhaps in his late forties. He wore tactical pants and a black thermal shirt that hugged his frame as if he spent a lot of time in the gym. His hair was buzzed short, and his eyes were pale and flat. Like he would kill without blinking.

No name badge. No insignia.

He smiled.

But it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Good morning, Ms. Blake.”

“Emery,” I corrected, my voice cool. “You want to play house; you might as well use my name.”

That earned me a tilt of the head.

“You’re not what I expected,” he said.

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