Shadows Drift Beyond Memory by Xarin Vale novel Chapter 23

The pool area was packed with partying men and women–bikinis, champagne, cigarette smoke thick in the air.

Holden Chase sprawled on a lounge chair dead center with Jade tucked under his left arm and a cigar in his right hand.

The moment I walked in, the music cut out.

Dozens of eyes locked onto me.

Jade slithered out of Holden’s arms.

Wearing a bikini, holding two drinks.

She swayed over with that practiced smile.

“Sutton! You made it!”

She held out one of the glasses.

“Here, Sutton. Drink this and we’ll wipe the slate clean. From now on, the three of us will be one big happy family.”

I glanced down at it.

The drink was pink, the liquid cloudy.

“I don’t drink.”

Jade’s smile froze for a second.

“Sutton, now you’re just being disrespectful. Everyone’s watching. Holden’s watching.”

Holden stood up.

“Sutton Law, Jade’s offering you a drink and you’re refusing? This has the good stuff in it–’82 vintage. Specially made for uptight women like you.”

The crowd around us started laughing and chanting.

“Drink! Drink! Drink!”

Leo held up his phone with the camera pointed at my face.

“Everyone look! The legal robot’s about to break her own rules!”

I looked at Holden. “You sure you want me to drink this?”

“Drink it! Stop stalling!”

I took the glass and swirled it around.

Jade’s eyes flashed with excitement.

“Sutton, go ahead and drink. After you finish, we’ll go upstairs–I have so much I want to tell you privately.”

18:53

His Girl Bro Lied ‘Not His Baby DNA Plaved Along. But Baby IS His!

She reached out to link arms with me.

I stepped back and raised the glass.

“According to law, inducing, instigating, or deceiving others into using controlled substances carries up to three years in prison.”

I held the glass up to Leo’s camera.

“This drink’s color and smell both indicate unknown substances have been added.”

Holden’s face changed.

“What are you talking about?! It’s just regular wine! Drink it or get lost!”

He rushed forward trying to grab the glass while Jade panicked and reached out to shove me.

“You ungrateful bitch! You’re asking for it!”

She tried to splash the drink in my face.

I flicked my wrist and the entire drink splashed onto Jade’s face and into her mouth.

“Ahhh-!”

Jade screamed, covering her face and coughing violently.

“Water! Water! It burns!”

“Sutton Law! How dare you splash her!”

Holden kicked at my stomach but I dodged to the side.

Too many people surrounded me though–Leo and two other guys rushed forward and grabbed my shoulders.

“Damn, this bitch is wild! Hold her down!”

Holden immediately grabbed another bottle from the table.

“Won’t drink it yourself? I’ll make you drink it!”

“Pry her mouth open!”

Two men clamped down on my jaw as Holden shoved the bottle into my mouth.

Liquid poured down my throat. My vision started blurring.

This was the so–called “good stuff“-effects kicked in fast.

Jade was already collapsed on the ground with glazed–over eyes, writhing on the floor and wrapping herself around Holden’s leg.

Holden kicked her away and looked at me.

I felt it too–heat spreading through my body, limbs going weak.

My pepper spray dropped to the ground and someone kicked it away.

1. Bahu IS His!

17.3%

Chapter 4

CRASH!

Holden tossed the bottle aside and patted my face.

“Sutton Law, didn’t you think you were so tough? Didn’t you love spouting laws? Today I’m teaching you MY LAW.”

He waved his hand.

“Take her upstairs. Leo, you guys guard the door.”

“After I’m fucked her, you can taste her too!”

Leo nodded with a grin. “You got it, man!”

Two men hauled me up by my arms, my feet dragging as they pulled me toward the stairs.

My consciousness grew heavier.

I bit down hard on my tongue, using the sharp pain to fight off the fog.

My hand slipped into my pocket where there was a signal transmitter.

With a slight click, I pressed the button.

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