Page 1 of Broken Empire
1
Shay
Run.
The word played on repeat in my head, drowning out every other thought. My eyes shot toward the entryway of the gallery, seeking a path through all the treacherous fake guests.
Robert smiled and hooked two fingers under my chin, pulling my gaze back to him. “Don’t even think about it,” he said.
“Fuck you,” I hissed before turning on my heel and dashing toward the side exit. The horror I felt a few seconds ago was rising up again, but this time it was laced with fury. I wouldn’t let these assholes steal me away. Icouldn’t.Not after everything I’d already endured.
Robert caught up to me and grabbed my arm, spinning me back around to face him. There was an ugly little twist of amusement on his lips. “I told you, the doors are blocked. Allof them. Not just the front entrance.”
“Let me go,” I said, trying to yank my arm out of his grip.
“Not until you listen.” His gaze skated over my head, toward the mezzanine terrace. “See those men up there?”
I looked up. Behind the cast iron balcony skirting the mezzanine level stood several hulking men in crisp black suits. All of them had their right hands poised on their hip, as if they were gripping guns and readying themselves to shoot.
“They have tranquilizer darts,” Robert said. “If you try anything stupid, they’ll knock you out. We’d rather have the product conscious, though, so please listen to me. Don’t try to run again.”
A hot twist of anger curled in my chest. “I’m not aproduct.”
“You are now.”
“I have no idea how you think this will work, but it won’t,” I said through gritted teeth. “People will come looking for me.”
“I’m sure they will. You’re a much-loved girl,” Robert replied, lips still curved with dark amusement. “They won’t find you, though.”
“They will,” I muttered, leaning on a nearby table to keep my balance. I was feeling a little lightheaded.
“Looks like it’s finally kicking in,” Robert said, glancing at his silver wristwatch. “Thank god for that. I’ve waited long enough.”
My brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
He motioned to my half-empty champagne flute. “You’ve been drinking that for twenty minutes now,” he said. “You must have an impressively slow metabolism, because it usually only takes ten minutes to kick in.”
“You spiked my drink?” I asked in a low voice, blinking slowly. I had my eyes on my glass the whole time I was in the gallery, so I had no idea how he managed such a feat.
“It was already spiked,” Robert said. “The waiter was instructed to give you a certain glass.”
I rubbed my left temple. “What… what did you give me?” I asked. My voice sounded like it was coming from somewhere far away. “I thought you said you wanted me conscious.”
“I do. The pill won’t knock you out. It’ll just make you calmer and more agreeable,” he replied, putting a hand on my lower back. “You need to come with me now.”
“No.” I tried to squirm away from him again, but my heart wasn’t in it like it was before. Whatever his associates had slipped in the champagne was quickly working its way through my system, leaving me dazed and disoriented.
“Come on,” Robert said in a wheedling tone. “Follow me.”
My head was spinning. “I… I feel sick,” I mumbled, placing the heel of my hand on my forehead. I could feel my resolve and strength slipping out of my control.
“It’s just a temporary side effect. Come with me and you’ll feel much better.”
I stared up at Robert, slowly blinking. It was difficult to keep my gaze fixed on his eyes because my vision was so blurry. I felt like I was floating in a giant aquarium and seeing everything through cloudy water.
“Where are we going?” I asked. I’d completely forgotten why I was with him.
“We’re going to the auction,” he replied.
