Page 164 of Wanna Play A Game?

“I’ll never let her go.” I stalk up to him, stopping just shy of him and clenching my fists.

“Whatever happened to being a man of your word, Sawyer?”

I’ll never let her go. I can’t. Just the thought sends panic through me. “For her, I’ll break it.”

There’s the tiniest change in Ryder’s expression, then it’s gone. I whirl back around to head to the room before a loud clatter makes me turn back around.

Ryder is on the ground, having taken an island chair down with him. He has a hand on his chest.

“What the fuck?” I growl.

Ryder heaves for breath. I move to crouch next to him. “You good?”

Ryder grabs onto me. “Chest hurts. Just…help me up?”

Fuck, what’s wrong with him? I grab his shoulders, and as I do, I feel a sharp stab in my thigh like a bee sting.

I glance down. Ryder is finishing pressing the plunger of a syringe into me. I can’t process it for a second. What the hell?

Ryder straightens, his face looking sad.

“What the fuck?” I can only stare at him. Did he just give me that?

Ryder raises his hands in a calming manner. “It’s okay. Everything will be fine.”

“What’s going on?”

Ryder eyes me. I don’t like that look in his eyes. He walks toward me, heading between me and the hall.

Between me and Cali.

Oh fuck. He’s going to do something to Cali.

I dart down the hall.

Ryder is fast. He snatches me up and yanks me back roughly. I whirl, trying to throw a punch at him.

He grabs onto me tighter, burying his head in my back. “I won’t hurt her.”

“Don’t fucking touch her,” I snarl, struggling.

“Calm down,” Ryder grunts, wrapping me in his arms and yanking me back. He’s big and fucking strong as hell. I struggle, then go completely limp, trying to get him to drop me.

Ryder drops his body with me, not letting go of me.

“She doesn’t want to be with you. You have to let her go.”

“That’s bullshit!” Dizziness hits my vision. Oh fuck. I’m going to pass out before I can get to her. “She never said that.” Frantic energy runs through me. Something is wrong. That phone call he got. Something is wrong.

Miles! Where is Miles?

Ryder rolls his huge body on top of me. I fight to escape, but the damn drugs hit me harder than I expect.

“I’m trying to take care of our family.”

“Fuck you.” There are two of him swimming in circles above me. I blink while thrashing. Fuck, maybe if I close my eyes, it’ll be better.

I don’t realize I’ve stopped moving until he picks me up. I struggle to fight again, but it feels like all my limbs are fuzzy and cut off. Everything starts to get distant.