Page 25 of Darkness of Mine

Eli pulls her back so she’s resting against his chest. “You’re alright. Don’t fight it.”

Freya tries to struggle but the drugs are dragging at her body. “Why…fuck…”

Eli locks her wrists in his hands and presses his lips to the top of her head. “Shh. I’ve got you, kitten.”

I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath until Freya’s body goes slack.

River gathers Freya into his arms and carries her bridal-style into the small cabin at the back of the plane.

“Was drugging her really necessary?” I ask when he returns.

River’s hands pause part way through turning up his sleeves. “We all agreed to the plan.”

I take my glasses off and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I know, but this isn’t exactly going to endear us to her.”

Eli leans back against the plane window. “Translation: She’ll be pissed as fuck when she wakes up.”

River ignores Eli, his face hard as he looks at me. I’m not sure River realizes just how dark he’s gone. “You heard how scared she is that Zach will hurt us, saw the look on her face when we told her about Harley. She’s one step away from going off to try and take Zach down by herself. Do you honestly believe we can trust her not to run again?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. But if we take away her choice, we won’t ever know.” I get up from my seat, too restless to stay still right now, and head to the front of the plane.

“Are we going to have a problem?” River calls after me.

I stop walking. “No.”

“You agreed to this plan,” he says to my back.

“I know.” We all agreed and despite my unease I can’t bring myself to back out. As much as I want Freya towantto stay, Idon’t think I could bear losing her again. The last two months have made it so very clear that we don’t work without Freya.

I didn’t think I was a selfish person but apparently, I’m just selfish enough to do whatever it takes to keep her. Still, I look back at River over my shoulder. “Just… remember we’re supposed to be the good guys, Riv.”

12

FREYA

Iwake up slow. Grogginess drags at my mind and something about that bothers me, but my bed is so damn comfy I can’t bring myself to care. I roll onto my side, pulling the comforter with me as I curl up in a ball and bury my face in the soft scent of home.

My brow furrows. I’m not at Carmen’s. It takes another five seconds for my brain to register I’m not alone. My fingers tighten around the comforter as I blink my eyes open. My gaze locks with River’s.

He’s sitting on an armchair in the corner of the room, his arms spread wide, one ankle resting on his knee. The drapes are open and shadows from the night sky play across his khaki-toned skin.

Bits and pieces from earlier flit through my mind, memories returning as I fit the puzzle together. Anger burns away the last vestiges of sleep and I surge up. I lean back against the headboard and glare at River. “Do I get an explanation or is you drugging me just the new normal?”

River’s gaze is steady, his voice emotionless. “Don’t be so dramatic, it doesn’t suit you.”

I reach for my knife. I’m still wearing my clothes from before the flight, but my shoes and jacket are gone. And so is my knife.

A silver blade glints in the dimly lit room as River lifts up his hand. “Looking for this?”

“I wasn’t going to throw it.”

“Yes, you were.”

“You drugged me.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve just been drugged,” I snap. In actuality I don’t feel too bad. A slight headache pulses at the base of my skull but my mind is clear now.