Page 131 of Enthrall Climax

With champagne flutes in hand, we were led out into the garden. The dark angel glanced back at me with a nod to indicate Mia was this way. I looked around for Chastain, my fists curling. I had to remind myself that violence wasn’t an option here.

My heart beat faster as I searched every face, falling on each alpha with a woman at his feet, scanning the guests until my gaze fell on an empty cage at the end of the garden. Just beyond it flowed the River Seine.

The cage was big enough to hold a human, but it was empty. I’d dabbled in cage play myself, but the idea of Mia being trapped in one stirred my rage.

“They’ve left.” The dark angel pointed across the water. “She was selected.”

“Where did they go?” Even as I spoke the words I knew…

Mia had been plucked out from amongst these submissives to take part in the hunt. As my horrified gaze swept out over the river, I sensed it had already begun.

Across the water, the five small yachts tethered to the other side had been used to transport Mia and the men who would chase her. Beyond the bank stretched a dense forest and I could see thirty or so men heading into it.

It was a cruel irony that the game Danton and I had created all those years ago continued today, a chase so dark I cringed when I thought of it. The submissive wouldn’t make it far.

My submissive.

The rules had since changed. After Mia was caught she’d be brought back here, and what followed would be witnessed by everyone.

I stared up at the angry sky, threatening rain.

Yes, please wash this day away.

Across the water, a smaller crowd straggled behind the others. They, too, were about to disappear into the trees.

Mia.

She turned to look back at the house and her gaze found mine. I saw relief flash over her face and she began struggling, trying to break free. The two men on either side of her quickly overpowered her.

“Cameron!” she screamed.

Ripping off my jacket, I sprinted toward the edge of the river. A strong hand yanked me back.

“It’ll look suspicious,” snapped Shay.

“She’s right there.” I pulled my arm out of his grip.

“There’s a strong current.”

“Don’t care.”

“They won’t let you leave with her,” he added. “It’s too dangerous.”

I sprang up onto the wall and dove into the river. With strong breaststrokes, I swam toward the other side, fighting the drag of the water. “Mia!”

I’d lost sight of her.

The sound of yelling came from behind me, and I heard men diving into the river. Ignoring them, I kept my gaze set on the line of trees where Mia had disappeared.

Violent hands suddenly grabbed me, forcing me under the water.

ITRIED TO WALK LIGHT-FOOTEDon the forest floor. Every step threatened to give me away, every branch crunching underfoot, every breathless gasp I made when there was a noise.

The tracker wouldn’t come off.

Alone now, my heart pounding, I turned around and around trying to remember which direction I’d run from, finally admitting to myself I was lost—though far away I could still hear voices and music.

I wasn’t leaving without Cameron.