Page 83 of Jump or Fall
It wasn’t there—but the scent of cologne was.
“Where have you been, doll?”
Ice flooded her veins.
No. No. No. No.
This couldn’t be happening. They were going to destroy them—they were so close.
Dawson stepped out of the kitchen, holding her tablet.
“This is interesting,” he mused. “Your tablet is moving, but you were nowhere to be seen.”
He closed the gap between them and tossed it onto the coffee table. She turned to retreat—only to bump into Max, who knocked her back toward Dawson. He caught her wrists, yanking her arms behind her back, and forced her face down onto the couch.
“Wait outside, Max.”
She should have run when she had the chance. How could she have been so stupid to think he wouldn’t catch her? He always knew everything.
Terror gripped her like a vise. His violence always lingered like a shadow cast over her life. But this was the fear she’d tasted the day he dragged her off the street, the first time he’d sunk his claws into her skin.
Cold metal tightened around her wrists and she heard aclick.
“Where have you been?”
She tried to steady her breathing, but with his weight pressing down on her back, it was near impossible. “I like to walk around at night.”
Dawson shoved his hands under her shirt and bra, searching for something. He found nothing, so switched his attention to her pants, patting her down. She tried to squirm, but couldn’t get leverage.
He paused when he found the key, then pulled it from her pocket. “Where did you get this?”
“I bought it.”
He threw it to the floor and crushed it under his foot, shattering any hope of being found.
Dawson fisted her hair and pulled her head back. She clenched her teeth as pain flared along her scalp and neck.
“You were never a skiff-head brat like Karena, or a whore like Liv,” he growled into her ear. “Something else is going on… But you’re definitely fucking someone.” He brought her closer and breathed deep. “I can smell him.”
“No.”
“Don’t fuckin’ lie to me.” He shoved her head back down.
“I’m tempted to slice that pretty throat open right now and be done with you.” He jerked her up to her feet. “But there are lessons to be learned tonight.”
She struggled to break free, but he struck her with the back of his hand, nearly knocking her to the floor. She reeled from the impact, her mind fogged by a storm of hatred and defeat.
Max was waiting in the hallway and fury surged through her. She tried to kick him but he just exchanged a look with Dawson and followedbehind.
They led her downstairs where the car was waiting, much like the time they had dragged her off the street ten years ago.
Dawson pushed her in and got in behind her. The metal cuffs around her wrists were digging into her skin as she tried to sit back. He settled next to her with an expression of contempt. Unlike when he’d kidnapped her, his gaze remained elsewhere.
Mara watched outside as the car began to move, trying to figure out where they were going. At first she suspected they would be going to Division One, but the sharp turn said they were going the opposite direction—toward the other Divisions.
A stab of fear jolted her. Did they have Gordon?
The city lights passed by in a blur of colors and the towering buildings only grew taller. Six had some of the tallest ones, so that must’ve been where they were.
