Page 34 of Dublin Beast

“Well, nothing, except there have been whispers that certain people have been inquiring into local business.”

I feign confusion. “I’m not following. What does that have to do with me?”

His smile sharpens. “Well, nothing at first, but I knew you were staying at the 62 and do you know who else is staying there?”

I shrug. “A lot of people. It’s a hotel.”

He chuckles. “True enough, but it’s quite a coincidence that Bryan Quinn, the man who burst into our introductions and started throwing fists, is also staying at the 62.”

“Yeah, it’s a coincidence. I’ve been staying there for weeks. I’m sure hundreds of people have checked in and out during that time.”

He nods. “I considered that, so I stopped by earlier today. Imagine my surprise when I saw you in the business center, head down and working with Bryan Quinn.”

A chill rolls through me, despite my best efforts to remain unfazed.He came to the hotel?

I keep my features schooled, shaking my head. “He apologized for acting like a brute the other day, so why would I care if he needed to plug in his laptop? Two people sitting in the same room doesn’t mean anything.”

Jamie tsks, his eyes glinting with something that gives me pause. “You’re a terrible liar, Harper.”

Not true. I’m a great liar.

Before I can react, he launches out of his chair, and his hand darts across the table, clamping around my elbow. “Let’s go.”

“What the—Jamie—” I try to pull back, but he’s already yanking me to my feet.

I twist, looking around for the waitress, foranyone, but the few patrons scattered through the pub aren’t paying attention.

Jamie hauls me out the exit, his grip like iron.

“Let go of me?—”

Before I even get my feet under me to break his hold, a sharppinchin my thigh has me gasping and looking down at my leg.

Jamie has a medical auto-injector pressed against my jeans. A sick wave of dizziness crashes into me.

Oh, fuck.

The world tilts. My limbs go sluggish, my muscles locking up like they’re wrapped in lead. I try to fight, try to kick out, but another man falls in beside us, grabbing my other arm.

“Get her in the car,” Jamie orders, his voice distant, distorted.

I blink hard, my vision tunneling as the car door swings open.

They shove me inside.

The last thing I hear before the darkness swallows me whole is Jamie’s voice, smooth and satisfied.

“Sweet dreams, Harper.”

* * *

I wake up in darkness.

My head feels full, my thoughts sluggish, like I’m wading through cold, thick syrup. Something is pulling at my wrists, an uncomfortable tightness cutting into my skin every time I move.

I blink, my vision swimming as I try to process my surroundings. There are no windows. No light except for the dim glow from under a door across the room.

The room feels cold. I’m cold… but not as cold as I could be.I’mstill dressed.

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