Unwanted Blood (Harper) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Harper’s POV

Adrian’s voice was rough, thin, scraped raw, but it cut through the room like a blade.

The guard’s hand on my arm stopped.

Dylan turned his head slowly, the wheelchair creaking beneath him. His eyes moved to the next bed, where Adrian was forcing himself up on one elbow, his face grey, sweat beading at his temples.

“You’re awake,” Dylan said. “Not bad. That dose was strong. I expected you to sleep through the night.”

Adrian didn’t answer the remark. He pushed harder, bracing his hand against the edge of the mattress. Until he was half-sitting, his back against the headboard, breathing hard.

Then he turned to Dylan. “Let her go.”

Dylan laughed. “You think you’re in a position to negotiate with me?”

“I am.” He smiled. His chest was rising and falling quickly. I was sure the drugs still in him, whatever Dylan had pumped into that IV.

“If I walk into a police station right now and tell them I signed a transfer order for my father’s purchase of potassium chloride at fifteen years old-” Adrian’s voice was steady, impossibly given the state he was in, “-do you really think they’ll only look at me?”

Dylan’s smile vanished. His fingers tightened on the armrest.

“Would you do that?” Dylan asked. “You were willing to walk into a police station and let them put you in handcuffs for her?”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “I just want to end this. This whole thing that almost twenty years. I’m done.”

Dylan’s mouth moved. “Liar,” he said softly. “You’re just like your mother.”

Adrian’s breathing stopped. Just for a second. Then he closed it down.

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11:42

Chapter 75

“Let her go,” Adrian said. “This is the last time I ask.”

288 Vouchers

I’d been quiet through all of it. The drug in my system kept my thoughts slow, heavy, like wading through water. But I knew one thing. Dylan wasn’t going to let me walk out of this room.

My right hand was on the edge of the mattress. Slowly, keeping my arm still, I slid my fingers into my pocket. The second phone was there. My thumb found the side button. I pressed it once.

The scheduled message had already passed its sending window. If the signal got through, Ryder had the coordinates. If it didn’t, I couldn’t afford to think about the alternative.

“Adrian,” My voice was thick, slower than I wanted it to be. “Stop. He’s not going to let me go.”

Dylan’s eyes flicked to me. There was something almost amused in them. “You’re right, I’m not.”

He turned his head toward the guard. “Take her out.”

The guard’s grip tightened on my arm. I braced-

The door opened.

Ryder stood in the doorway. Behind him, were Colton and Ethan.

Ryder’s gun was already up, aimed directly at the Dylan.

His expression was cold, “Let her go,” Ryder said. “Your people are contained. You have three seconds to think about what happens next.”

Dylan’s face darkened at once.

The room erupted into motion.

While every eye was on the door, I yanked the IV needle from the back of my hand.

Blood welled up on the skin. I didn’t look at it. I grabbed the edge of the mattress and pulled myself up.

The floor rose to meet my feet. My legs trembled, unsteady, the drugs still swimming through me. But they held.

I looked at Adrian.

He was watching me. His lips moved-one word, barely audible.

“Go.” I didn’t listen.

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11:42

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