MERMADMEN (The Mermen Trilogy #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

a few years.
    “I dumped Steve right before Mom and Dad’s anniversary party.”
    “ What? Why?” Liv found that very suspicious.
    “I was tired of him always being such a wuss—look, Liv, I gotta go. That really hot one, Shane, said he wants to hang with me tonight, and I’m hoping he’ll claim me tomorrow. So try to keep it down, okay?”
    “Dana! Open this fucking door!”
    There was no reply, and Liv sank to the floor, sobbing. This isn’t happening. This isn’t happening. These animals were going to ruin Dana’s life. Stop it, Liv. Stop wasting precious time crying over what should be. Liv wiped the tears from her eyes and got up from the floor. Dana was counting on her. Not to mention their family, too. They had to be going insane with worry right now.
    Okay. What are my options? Of course, there were only two: give Shane—an evil, untrustworthy bastard—what he wanted and pray he’d let Dana go like he promised. Or tell Shane to screw himself.
    There has to be another choice. Think, Liv. Think.
    She sat on her narrow bed with her eyes closed and focused on her breathing. Okay. I know what to do. The moment that door opened after they reached the island, she’d run for it and find Roen. She’d tell him everything and hope to God he’d get her out of this.
    So what if Roen didn’t help her, like in that dream? The last time she’d seen him, he made it clear he never wanted to see her again, and it had broken her heart. Then, within the space of a heartbeat, he’d changed into this angry, cruel version of himself and raised his hand to her. She still wasn’t one hundred percent sure what had happened, because she’d seen how the island had begun to change him into something that frightened her. One of them.
    Then there were those other urges of his. The ones that made him want to bite her and take her like an animal.
    What if the civilized Roen doesn’t exist anymore? Roen wouldn’t be saving her. He’d be doing the opposite. He’s still your best option. She only hoped there was some of the old Roen still left inside.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    Seven o’clock the next evening, the lack of motion woke Liv in the armchair with a prickly startle. Oh crap. Liv froze. We’re here. She already felt the sick ominous energy of the island seeping through the walls. Ironically, the location itself was breathtaking—black and gold-sanded shores and a snowcapped peak surrounded by pine tree forest on all sides. Of course, that was camouflage.
    Liv pressed her ear to the door and heard footsteps going up and down the passageway. They had to be unloading.
    Okay. They’ll be coming for you soon. Be ready. Stay calm.
    Liv then noticed another sandwich had been left on the nightstand along with a change of clothes—a purple tank top and khaki shorts, no doubt borrowed from one of the other women onboard. They’d included a pair of black leather sandals.
    Good. She’d need something to protect her feet when she ran through the rough terrain.
    Liv quickly ate to keep up her strength, changed, and then sat herself calmly on the bed. This is going to work. This is going to work. Just keep calm and make nice until you get outside. She had to do everything possible to avoid getting tied up or shoved into a cage.
    “Knock, knock!” a deep voice called from the other side of the door. “It’s Jason. Remember me?”
    How could she forget? He was one of Shane’s “buddies” she’d met her first day on the island.
    “Come in.” She remained seated, not wanting to seem overly eager or show her hand.
    “Are you going to attack me?” he asked.
    “Not planning to, although the day is still young.”
    Jason popped open the door and peeked his head through, flashing his bright white, charming smile. His deeply tanned skin was the same as the last time they’d seen each other, only now he’d cut off his dreaded blond locks into a short, deceivingly civilized hairdo. “Good. Because I have one hell of a fucking