I shot out a fist at the first fucker who tried dragging me to my feet. He snickered. I didn’t pose a threat to them—I was so weak a kitten could probably beat the shit out of me. They lifted me and dumped my boneless body into a dinghy.

“He’s heavier than he looks. Think our weight will sink this thing?”

“Shut the fuck up and get in.” They piled inside, and someone started the motor.

The island grew smaller as we sped off. I gazed at my home, now nothing more than a raging inferno, some of the last memories I had left up in flames. Who were these men, but more importantly, why?

Why Dad’s island?

Why had they taken Alex?

What did they want with me?

The ride ended a few short minutes later, and they hauled me from the boat and up the ramp. I didn’t walk as much as shuffle toward the sedan parked a few yards away. A guy exited through the passenger side door and popped the trunk, revealing Alex’s bound and gagged form inside. She wasn’t squirming, wasn’t even moving.

My heart raced as I weighed my options. I could try to fight them off, but I didn’t know for certain how many men surrounded me. Three, four, five? I glanced over my shoulder and met the barrel of the gun Jax had given me. “Don’t over think it, Mason. Get in the trunk.”

A startling blast sounded. I jumped, adrenaline flooding my system, and stared at the fire engulfing the island. Not a gun shot. The propane tank outside the cabin must have ignited.

“We don’t have time for this bullshit.” Sirens blared, distant, but it wouldn’t take long for the area to flood with emergency vehicles. Maybe I could fight them, stall long enough for help to arrive. “Get in the fucking trunk,” he said, cocking the gun and swerving it toward Alex, “or I’ll shoot your girl.”

I could fight them. I might even hold them off for a few minutes, but what if they shot her? What if they killed me and took off with her?

I did the only thing I could. I crawled into the trunk.

~FERVENT: BOOK THREE~

FERVENT: BOOK THREE

1. Perilous - Alex

1. PERILOUS - ALEX

I was swaying. Or maybe I was flying. I couldn’t be certain, but the quiet thrum of an engine hinted at some sort of motion. That annoying rumble pricked at the edge of consciousness, threatening to take me somewhere I didn’t want to go.

Zach.

His name stormed through my blood, turning it to ice. I was trapped. He’d trapped me, locked me away from the world and from myself, reducing me to something unimportant. Meaningless.