My eyelids grow heavy. The first man grabs my feet, and they shove me into the backseat of the car. I’m aware of what’s happening, but I can’t move any part of my body. I try to scream, but nothing comes out.
Duke and Sam might not notice I’m missing until tomorrow. I’m going to have to find my own way out of this mess once this drug wears off. Assuming I can stay alive that long.
CHAPTER26
Logan
After we talked it through,we ended up going with Brian’s plan after all. Since Durango refused to wear a suit, Ozzie and I are attending the fundraiser while he and Axel will be ready for us when we come out with Ruiz.
I’m not sure what Durango’s problem is. It didn’t take long to get fitted for a suit, and frankly, I’m not going to complain about being served food while we work. Although my gut is telling me something isn’t right, I can’t put my finger on what it is.
I scan the crowd. It consists mostly of rich people based on the conversations I’ve overheard. Ozzie catches my attention from across the room. Smiling, I walk through the crowd until I’m standing beside him.
“Something feels off,” I say.
He smiles and holds out his hand. “I agree.”
I shake it, my eyes now on Ruiz. He’s holding a full drink, which is our cue to move.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Always,” Ozzie says.
I walk toward Ruiz while staring at my phone. I bump into him, causing him to spill some of his drink.
“I’m so sorry!” I say as I lead him to a nearby table.
He sets down his drink, and I hand him a napkin, causing him to turn from his drink.
Ozzie is there instantly and appears to reach over the drink to grab a different napkin. He’s good; I’ll give him that. I was watching for it and didn’t see Ozzie dump the powder in.
“Here, let me help you.” I try to dab at his suit.
“Stop.” He tosses the napkin onto the table, grabs his drink, and walks away.
I keep my eyes on him for twenty minutes, waiting for him to take a sip, but he doesn’t. It appears the drink is only for show.
“Mocktail?” a waiter says as he walks by with a tray.
“Sure, thanks.” I take one. I need to do something to blend in.
Ozzie is already standing in a group of men, laughing. I take a drink of the red liquid as I walk over. It’s strawberry flavored.
“Then he rang the bell!” a round man yells. The rest of the group, including Ozzie, laugh loudly.
Ozzie takes a sip of his mocktail, then spots me. “Oh, hey, everyone, this is Walter,” Ozzie introduces me with the fake name we agreed on. “I just met him earlier tonight.”
“Welcome, Walter,” the round man says. He pulls on his collar. “I think maybe these mocktails aren’t really mock, if you know what I mean.” He sets his empty glass on a table and pulls off his tie.
I stare at my drink which is halfway gone. “Shit.”
We set down the glasses and walk as fast as we can to the exit.
Once we’re clear of the crowd, Ozzie slows down. “I don’t feel right. There was something in that drink.”
I grab my phone and try to type out a message to the guys to let them know something has gone wrong. But the screen is blurry. I type something and hit send. I hope to hell it makes sense.
Someone grabs my left arm. “This way.”
