Chapter 26

McKenzie

Phoenix takes my hand and leads me to a door I didn't notice. It leads into a room that looks similar to the VIP room we were in earlier tonight. It has a self-serve bar off to one side stocked with all the drinks that you could want. There's also a wine refrigerator, and a stainless steel refrigerator maybe for snacks. There are couches and chairs placed strategically throughout the room.

"This is the celebration room, so they won't suspect anything." Phoenix's jaw clenches and inhales deeply. "The amount of times I've had drinks with both Bill and Dr. Chamberland in this room and they smiled and joked with me, all the while abusing you."

My hand flutters to my throat, and I finger the collar. My stomach dips as I realize what he means. "Bill started fighting here while I was kidnapped?" I ask. Nix nods, his neck and face red with rage. "I'm never taking this off," I whisper.

His eyes collide with mine. There's hope and relief in them. "Are you sure? You can take it off when you're at home." I love that he's making sure I'm okay with this.

"But I was taken the second time from our property." I can tell Nix wants to argue, but his phone vibrates, so he looks at the screen.

"They're on the way."

I gesture to his naked chest. "You're still not wearing a shirt. It's very distracting."

He chuckles and walks over to a wardrobe. Opening it, he grabs a white button-up shirt that looks exactly like the one he had on earlier and puts it on. He grabs my hand and walks me over to the bar. "Want a rum and coke?"

I scowl at him. "You said I couldn't have any more alcohol."

He snorts. "Things have changed significantly in the past couple of hours. But that was also because I wanted your mind clear while we were watching the fight."

I twist my lips to the side as I think. "Do you know what I'd rather have?"

He steps in close to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. "What's that?"

I can tell by his expression he already knows what I'm going to say. "An orgasm."

He grins at me, but his eyes are full of concern. "Even after the memory you just had?"

I bite my bottom lip and lift my shoulder. "I'd like for you to take that memory away," I admit.

He leans forward and kisses my hairline. "Anything you want, love."

I sag into him and he supports my weight. This man. He has no idea how amazing he is. I open my mouth to tell him, but before I can, the door opens. I stiffen in his arms and his grip on my waist tightens slightly. My back is to the door, so I don't see as they enter. I glance up at Nix as my heart begins to race. He rubs his thumb along my cheek and leans down, kissing me softly.

He pulls away slightly, his lips still brushing mine. "Act naturally in the beginning. You'll know when you can confront them." I nod once and he gives me one more kiss before tapping me lightly on the ass, and turning me around to face my nightmare.

I force myself to keep my face neutral, even though all kinds of emotions are roaring through my veins right now. Dr. Chamberland looks the same as he always did, but he looks exhausted and unkempt. I wonder if his lifestyle is creeping up on him. He has his hair slicked back, but it looks like it's slicked back from grease, not product, and he has dark circles under his eyes. He rubs the back of his neck and unbuttons the top button of his shirt. His eyes flit around the room, not staying on one person too long.

Bill, I can only glimpse at. I know if I look at him any longer, I won't be able to contain my emotions. He's bald, has various tattoos along his chest and arms, and his eyes look almost black. Like he's possessed, and it freaks me out. One side of his mouth tips up slightly and his eyes wander down my body like he's remembering all the things he did to me and I have to look away. I smile at Rex, and he gives me an encouraging smile in return.

"Your wife is here to celebrate with us tonight," Bill says. He begins to walk toward us and I internally freak out, afraid of what he's going to do. Nix wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against his chest. His warmth invades my senses, and it helps me calm down slightly.

"Yes," Nix responds. "This is McKenzie." Bill extends his hand in an attempt to shake mine, but I only stare at it. I will not touch this man and he will never touch me again.

He arches an eyebrow. "No handshake?" I shake my head no. "That's rude."

Nix comes to his full height and maneuvers me so I'm slightly behind him, but can still see everyone in the room. "Don't speak to my wife that way. If she doesn't want to shake your hand, she doesn't have to. Do you touch women against their will often?"

Bill takes a step back and raises his hands in surrender, his eyes narrowing slightly. Dr. Chamberland's shoulders pull back and he watches our interaction more closely than he was. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean anything by it."

"Make sure it doesn't happen again," Nix snaps.

Bill nods and offers a smile that he might think is placating, but only looks creepy. "So, are we celebrating or what? I'm ready to go get my girl for the night." The way he says that it makes my stomach clench and brings every nerve in my body to attention. Trying my best to play it off, I walk over to the drinks, Phoenix not too far behind me.

"What will you have?" I ask.

"Beer for me," Bill responds.

I open the fridge and Phoenix grabs a bottle of Corona. He pops the top and grabs a lime, putting it in the top, but I notice before he puts the lime in he drops some powder. I glance at him and he nods at me slightly.

"What about you Dr. Chamberland?" I swallow past the lump in my throat. My heart is beating erratically. I might pass out tonight if I keep putting my heart through all this.

"Red wine for me, whatever is open," he replies.

I glance over my shoulder and notice him and Bill sitting on one of the couches next to each other. Rex is talking to them, keeping them distracted. Nix hands me a small paper container that looks like a small pixie stick candy.

"Pour that in his wine. Can you do that?" he asks. I nod slightly. Grabbing the only bottle of red wine that's open, I pour him some and quickly pour in the powder Nix gave me. I swirl the liquid in the glass and turn with Nix. We walk to them and with every step, the beat of my heart becomes louder in my ears.

These men are about to die, and they have no idea. Nix hands Bill his beer and I hand Dr. Chamberland his wine. I kind of wish I had taken that rum and coke now. I need something to calm my nerves. Nix walks back over to the bar and I swear my heart stops in my chest. Rex moves where he's closer to me and I breathe again.

Something Bill said earlier clicks in my head and I tilt my head to gaze at him. He's halfway through his beer, but Dr. Chamberland has only taken a few sips of his wine. What if they react differently to whatever it was Nix gave them? I mentally shake my head, not worried about that right now.

"Which girl are you going to get tonight?" I ask Bill as he's about to take another pull from his bottle. Nix comes up next to me and hands me a glass of dark liquid. I'm sure it's rum and coke, so I give him a grateful smile. Nix puts another Corona on the table in front of Bill. I turn my attention back to Bill to watch him closely.

He finally shrugs. "Whoever I want. I'm the reigning champion. Any girl will be happy to go home with me." He drinks the rest of his beer and grabs the other beer Phoenix brought. I wonder if that one is drugged too.

"What about Shay?" I remember what Felix said earlier and I want to ease my mind that Bill didn't do something to her. I don't even remember Shay, but apparently I know her and if I do, I would be concerned about her wellbeing.

"What about her?" The smirk on his face tells me all I need to know. Nix places his hand on the small of my back, communicating with me he'll take over. I take a sip of my drink and savor the taste.

"We haven't seen her in four months. Have you seen her recently?" Nix asks. Rex makes a small move, so he's closer to me, but it seems I'm the only one who notices.

I wonder where Jason is. What if things go badly? Bill can fight. What if he hurts Nix or Rex?

"I can't remember when I saw her last. Why?"

I tilt my head to look at him. I think he's had one too many punches to the head.

"Because we haven't seen her in four months," Nix replies slowly. Dr. Chamberland watches this exchange as he sips from his wineglass. Part of me wants to tell him to drink it quicker. What if Bill gets affected first? I size Dr. Chamberland up. He isn't the bigger threat, so maybe it will be okay.

Bill stands quickly, and I flinch slightly. Nix wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side. Bill sways slightly on his feet, and he puts his hand to his head. "I stood too fast." His words are slurred slightly.

"Shay?" Nix presses.

Bill rolls his eyes. "I had some fun with her a few months ago. Yeah."

Dr. Chamberland drinks the rest of his wine and continues to remain quiet. He probably thinks it's in his best interest. No one says anything. It's unnaturally quiet in the room as Bill sways again. Dr. Chamberland puts his head in his hand like he's beginning to feel the effects of the drug as well.

"But…" Bill's words slurring. "I didn't do anything to her she wasn't asking for." I bite my tongue so hard I taste copper. Rex moves even closer to me, and I know whatever they have planned is about to happen.

"What about my wife?"