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The bags land in my lap. I stare at them, then at him, debating if this is the moment I fight back or choke on my pride. One glance at Alessio tells me now is not the time. My throat is dry, but I manage to swallow down the sarcastic comment that’s itching to come out, knowing it would only make things worse. I can’t afford to poke the bear again.

I spot the bottle of water from earlier still sitting on the tray. It’s sealed, untouched, and since it was meant for Alessio, I figure it’s safe enough for me. I don’t think. I just grab it and chug the entire thing in one go, realizing just how thirsty I am.

Satisfied, I settle back in the seat and open two bags of peanuts, pouring a handful into my mouth. The slight crunch is comforting. Maybe if I focus on that, I can pretend I’m not on this nightmare of a ride.

But then I feel the seat shift and realize the beast himself is now next to me.

“Do you make it a habit to annoy me?” Alessio’s deep voice rumbles beside me.

“What did I do?” I blurt, genuinely confused. I haven’t even said anything.

He nods toward the empty bottle on my lap. “Is that my water?”

Crap. My face burns. “Sorry,” I mumble. “I was thirsty…” My voice trails off, and I resist the urge to shrink into the seat. Alessio’s expression gives away nothing. I can’t tell if he’s annoyed, amused, or just plotting my slow, painful death.

“Now I don’t feel so bad about doing this.”

My brows furrow. “Doing wha—”

Something sharp jabs into my thigh…a syringe.

I gasp, my brain tries to catch up with what’s happening, but it all unfolds too quickly. The sting barely registers before my legs feel like lead, sinking into the seat.

“Wha… th—” My words slur as a wave of dizziness hits me hard. Everything’s spinning, the edges of my vision go fuzzy. I try to reach for the needle or move, but my arms are useless, like boulders I can’t lift.

Alessio’s smirking face watching me is the last thing I see beforeeverything goes black.

I wake up face down like I’ve been tossed here without a second thought. My arms tingle with that awful pins-and-needles feeling from how I was lying on it. I blink, trying to orient myself, but everything’s a blur.Where am I?My head throbs, but I still notice it’s dark outside. I’m guessing it’s late or really early.

I roll onto my back, wincing as the pounding in my skull sharpens. The room around me feels unfamiliar. The walls are light gray and minimal. There’s barely anything in here, just two framed black-and-white abstract pieces that vaguely look like a woman’s silhouette. A large dresser and this massive bed I’ve been dumped into are dead center of the room.

Okay, think, Liv. I kick my feet off the bed, hoping the door to the left is a bathroom. I shuffle over, trying not to trip on the unfamiliar floor, and twist the knob. Bingo. The ensuite is blindingly sterile, and everything is white. White floors, white walls, white vanity. It feels more like a hospital room than a bathroom. The only hint of color is the faint line running through the marble shower.

I spot another door.Closet, maybe? I push it open, but it’s completely empty.

Great. No clues there.

After taking care of business, I splash cold water on my face, trying to wake myself up. The headache’s stillthere, but at least I’m not entirely out of it anymore. Back in the room, I glance at the second door. Might as well try it.

I wiggle the knob, only to find it locked.Of course, it’s locked.I knock a few times, not really sure what I’m expecting. Maybe someone to explain where I am?

Suddenly, the door flies open, and I barely have time to react before a huge figure storms in—Alonzo. He’s all red in the face, and before I can say a word, he barks, “What the fuck are you doing?”

I can’t even think clearly enough to process a response, when he shoves me hard. The force knocks me clean off my feet. I hit the floor with a thud, landing right on my butt, then rolling onto my back. Well, this is going swell.

That’s when it hits me, everything comes rushing back. Alessio, the flight, his infuriatingly smug face declaring I was going to his house. So, this must be it. And then the needle, he drugged me. That slimy bastard drugged me. My stomach twists, nausea bubbling up at the thought of being knocked out and completely at his mercy.

I’m still lying on the floor, piecing it all together, when Alonzo’s massive frame looms over me. He doesn’t waste time, kicking me in the thigh with his huge combat boot. Hard. The pain explodes through my leg,and I let out a groan, my thoughts scattering in every direction.

“Well?” Alonzo snaps, his face turning impossibly redder. “Why were you pounding on the door?”

I stammer, trying to catch my breath and form a response. “I-I didn’t mean to, I just woke up, and—”

“And nothing,” he cuts me off, seething like a rabid animal. “You’ll shut the fuck up and behave, or I’ll end you myself.”

Great. If I thought Alessio was pissed, Alonzo looks like he’s ready to combust. What crawled up his—nope, not going there. Not with him standing over me, fists clenched and eyes blazing.

“I-I was just hoping to speak to Alessio,” I manage, my voice smaller than I’d like. “And maybe get a glass of water?”