s vibrated through the soles of

n the dance floor. The flashing neon lights slic

surface of the bar an

Neat," s

rning liquid down her throat. It felt like swallowing broken glass, but the hea

he cool edge of the bar. A sob fi

isn't my perfect

stool next to her, a sickly sweet smile plastered on her

ght?" Bel

Alida rasped, shov

trying to be family. Have

ad toward the dance

la, dissolving instantly. "It's a custom chemical mix," Belva thought to herself, a cruel, triumphant glint in her eyes. "

der for a refill. She pushed the freshly top

wanted the pain to stop. She brought

utes later, the c

pit of Alida's stomach, radiating outward and making her skin flush. Her heart raced, pumping a diz

er grip on th

ching her before she hit the floor. "I've got you

rom the crowded bar, pushing through a heavy

hud. The hallway was dimly l

d a cigar clamped between his teet

body toward him. "Here. No

chest. He reached out, his rough, calloused hand

terror sliced through the chemical fog in her brain. The drug hadn't fully paralyzed he

s bein

metallic taste of copper flooded her mouth. The in

er right leg. She drove the stiletto heel of her shoe down with all

crun

, dropping his cigar and stumbli

y fire door open and stumbled back into the

elva shrieked

nded against

t like boiling lava. Her vision was completely black

nded a

was walking toward her. In

d headfirst into a chest that f

arted to fall, but two massive hands clamped ont

w ticked in annoyance.

his suit. The scent of expensive cologne and cl

g white. She tilted her head up. Her eyes w

eathed, her voice

mer skidded aro

etallic clicks echoing in the hallway. Mortimer froze

own at the woman trembling against his chest

gnited in Jax's black eye