Page 58 of Vicious Games

I only made it past the green-tiled room before they caught up with me.

They grabbed me from behind and dragged me back. I kicked out so hard my slippers flew across the room.

Mrs. Higgs unlocked a metal cabinet and pulled out a metal tray with a glass vial and syringe on it. “Hold her steady.”

“Should we get Dr. Swede?” asked one attendant.

Mrs. Higgs frowned. “Nonsense. I can handle this.”

She filled the syringe and approached me.

“Wait! I’ll stop. I promise.”

Mrs. Higgs paused inches away from my arm and glared at me.

I held my breath.

She placed the syringe down and admonished, “One more outburst—”

I nodded vigorously. “I understand.” I gestured behind her. “Can someone please get my slippers?”

As they turned to look in the direction of where I pointed, I swiped the syringe off the tray and hid it in my robe pocket.

When they turned back, I was smiling serenely.

They helped me into my slippers and escorted me back to my padded cell. When we got there, one attendant insisted on taking off my robe. As she folded it in half, the syringe dropped out of the pocket and fell onto the linoleum floor. I coughed to cover the sound as I kicked it under the bed. I could hear a small ’plink’ sound as it bounced off the wall. I waited with bated breath, but thankfully, it didn’t roll back into view.

Mrs. Higgs entered the room. “You’ve had a trying day, Miss Barlowe. I suggest you rest.”

Knowing I needed time alone to plan, I didn’t argue when they ushered me back into bed.

I was taken by surprise when all three suddenly latched on to my wrists and ankles. “What are you doing?”

“It’s for your own safety.”

They wrapped leather cuffs around my wrists and ankles and secured my limbs to the bedposts.

Ignoring my pleas and threats, they left.

For the next several minutes, I cursed. I screamed. I threatened. Each time, I checked the restraints, but they wouldn’t budge.

Finally, I heard the latch on the door.

Thank God, they had relented, but it wasn’t Mrs. Higgs or one of the attendants who entered.

Roman strolled into the room. “Hello, kitten.”

CHAPTER 23

AURORA

“You piece of shit, asshole, sonofabitch, bastard, coldhearted, scum-sucking, lowlife rat!”

Roman winked at the attendant who followed him into the room with a chair. “She’s hopelessly in love with me.”

I rattled my restraints as I tried to raise my arms. “When I get out of these restraints, I’m going to fucking shoot you for real, right between your fucking soulless eyes!”

Roman frowned as he placed a finger to his lips. “Shhh, darling, not in front of the help.”

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