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“Hack into Vanessa’s phone. She’s missing.”

“On it. I’ll let you know ASAP.”

“Thanks.” Orion had access to more intricate software that could locate Vanessa sooner.

After I hung up, I sat back to gather myself. My mind was going a thousand miles an hour, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to see this situation objectively. I was too emotionally involved because I loved Vanessa. Had Ashton gotten to her? Or was it The Trogyn? If something happened to her . . .

Don’t think like that.

I cursedand blew out a heavy sigh. This wasn’t the time for negative thoughts. I continued reviewing the recordings from the stores. My heart leaped when I saw Dr. Nico Messina leaving Loretta’s Café. Minutes later, Vanessa also exited the café. His presence meant danger was near. I hacked into the camera inside the café and saw Vanessa sitting near the doctor and two college students. Was this why she had dressed in a RISD T-shirt? What was she up to?

More importantly, why hadn’t she mentioned this to me?

An hour later, I was watching videos of areas where college students hung out, particularly where her bus had stopped—the Canal Walk. Joseph’s watch was also found in that area. Could this be connected?

The cameras around the walk were suspiciously inactive. Why weren’t they working? These were city cameras. Perhaps someone had hacked into them. The area was home to various businesses and college offices. There had to be a private camera I could access.

“Where are you, Lily Pad?” I said to myself.

My phone buzzed with Orion’s text message. I clicked on the link to a map with a red dot.

She was still near the Canal Walk.

I called Orion. “I’m releasing my drone to that area.”

“Okay. The boys and I will do the same,” he said. “The more drones, the more areas we can cover.”

CHAPTER SIXTY

VANESSA

My heart pounded soloud in my ears that I feared someone would hear it. Under the tarp, I glanced at the warm body next to me. It was a man in an athletic shirt. What kind of mix was in that so-called juice? It could’ve been in the water and appetizers too. Thankfully, I didn’t drink anything.

The boat motor roared, and my body shifted from side to side. I wanted to reach for my phone, which was in my back pocket, covered by the T-shirt, but I feared a slight movement would catch someone’s eye. I didn’t know who stood watch.

So I gathered my patience and waited.

“Pull under that warehouse canopy,” said Tiffany.

When the boat stopped, another boat cut its engine behind us. I swallowed the terror building inside me as someone lifted the cart and pushed it along. Based on the smooth movement, I knew there was probably a plank or level pavement for the wheels to roll without interruption.

I thought I heard sirens, but that could’ve been my wishful thinking. Did anyone know I’d been kidnapped? Attikus had to know something was wrong when I didn’t return his textsor calls. Willow was probably worried too. She’d have noticed my car and belongings were still at the gallery. Even if she’d reported me missing, how would they know where I was?

I tensed as fear resurfaced. I didn’t know if I had phone reception. My phone battery was probably dead by now.

“Move the cart with that blond kid into the room. He’ll be the next testing subject tomorrow. Dump the others in the storage room,” Tiffany ordered. “Get the rest of the bodies, and we can go home.”

“When do we have to show up tomorrow to help with the serum?” a man asked.

“Six in the morning. Dr. Messina only has a few hours before his flight takes off,” Tiffany said.

My fingers curled, wanting to stab Tiffany with something. My hatred toward her, Dr. Messina, and all these people working for the Modern Research Group intensified. As anger rose, my fear faded. How could Tiffany dismiss people’s lives like this? Then I remembered the gleam in her eyes when she showed me the keys to her fancy car. Money turned people into monsters.

We were lab rats for whatever they were trying to do. What was their agenda?

The door opened, and I sensed someone moving the man next to me. I heard a thump and forced myself to go limp as someone lifted my arms and dropped me onto a mattress. Something hit my right rib cage, and pain bloomed, but I bit my lip to suppress my moan.

When I heard the door click closed, I opened my eyes slowly to a dark room. The light from the window on the door cast a glow for me to see. When I didn’t spot any cameras, I looked at my rib cage and saw a man’s foot resting there.