Page 66 of SEAL of Valor

Bury the pain and use it later.

Because I’m going to need everything I have left to keep Reese alive.

Chapter 19

Reese

“Let me out!” I scream as I beat my fists on the door for the millionth time. I have absolutely no idea where I am or how I got here. There are no windows, no table or chairs, just an empty room with concrete walls.

My head aches, my stomach a mess of knots, my memory even worse. I know I was drugged; I felt whatever it was hit my system when that guy was talking to me, but everything else is a blur.

Weston was there. He carried me out of the bar…right?

I sink to my knees, tears streaming down my face. God, what is happening? Where is everyone? Please help me.

My body trembles as I try to remember something—anything—that might explain what is going on.

But the only thing that comes to mind is Weston’s gorgeous hazel eyes, looking down at me. He’d been afraid. Unless that was a dream?

Was it?

Is he here somewhere?

But if he is, where could he be?

“Please! Let me out! Come on!” I scream and push to my feet, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Let me out! You can’t do this!” I scream until my throat is hoarse. Until there’s nothing left.

The door opens, and I scramble backward as a brunette strolls in. Her hair is slick and shiny and has been cut short enough that it brushes the shoulders of her white button-down blouse.

The grey pants she wears are loose on her legs, and the black heels she wears put her a few inches above me.

“Reese, it is so nice to finally meet you face to face.”

“Who are you. Where is Weston?”

She cocks her head to the side. “My name is Brenda.”

“Where is Weston? Is he here?”

“Oh, he is. In fact, I’ll take you to him very, very soon.” She studies me up and down like a predator sizing up its next meal. “I just had to meet the woman who managed to capture Cowboy’s stone heart.”

“He does not have a stone heart,” I snarl and clench my hands into fists.

She grins at me, clearly enjoying my response. “Oooh, so you do have claws. Good to know.”

“What do you want with us?”

“With you?” She crosses her arms and laughs. “Nothing. You’re the carrot on the end of my stick. A toy I get to take away when Cowboy misbehaves. You, dear Reese, are the chain around his neck.”

The imagery is sickening.

Twisted.

It makes my stomach churn.

“Where is he?”

“A bit tied up now, I’m afraid. My colleague has been catching up with him. See, his older brother and Cowboy were well acquainted.” The inflection in her tone has a fresh bite of fear running through me.