Retribution (SSU Trilogy Book 3) (The Surgical Strike Unit) Read Online Free PDF Page B

He indicated a spot in front of the shower.
    “Sit on the edge of the tub like this,” Rafe demonstrated. “Bracket her with your legs. Make sure she feels trapped. I’ll let you know if I want you to cut her, but feel free to play with the pressure of the blade against her throat. O’Ryan, you sit on the toilet. Invade her space. Let your knees touch her. I want her to feel threatened. Play with your knife or your gun if you want. Depaoli, you’ll be next to me. This isn’t going to be a good cop, bad cop scenario. Her name is mentioned in these papers. She’s directly involved. I want her terrified. I want her to know her life is in our hands.”
    Under normal circumstances, none of the men would lift a finger to harm a female. But Rafe didn’t see even a flicker of unease on their faces now. Just grim determination. Right now she wasn’t a female. She was an obstacle. An enemy.
    “We’re going to do whatever’s necessary to find out where Nate is and get him out.”
    Satisfied that they were all on the same page, Rafe nodded at Willits, then flipped off the light before the man opened the door. Interrogating the doctor with only their flashlights as illumination would add to her stress. The shadows would make them seem monstrous, and with the shower curtain closed, she wouldn’t know if someone else was behind her, waiting to attack.
    G abby tugged against her bonds the instant the bathroom door shut behind the men. Her fear had dissipated under a cloud of surreal calm and the firm determination to get away. But not only were the ropes bound so tight she felt no give at her wrists or ankles, a short length of rope connected her hands to her feet, severely limiting her range of motion.
    Meaning her chances of escape were low, dammit. She couldn’t even manage to sit up, despite muscles toned from years of practicing ballet. If she rolled over and let herself tumble to the floor, the thump might alert the men, but there wasn’t enough play in the ropes to allow her to slide just her feet off the bed and stand up.
    Her calm wavered and fear started to return. No! She had to stay focused. There had to be some way she could get free. Because the longer the men stayed in the bathroom, the greater the chances they’d be furious with her when they emerged. She knew those notes were damning. Unless she could make them understand she was a victim, innocent of the atrocities committed against the men in the truck, then her chances of being killed tonight were high.
    Unable to just lie there waiting for death, Gabby took a chance and rolled off the mattress. For an instant she wondered if she could fool them by scooting under the dust ruffle and hiding under the bed.
    But she would feel too much like a rabbit in its hole, praying that the hawk passed by. Instead, she rolled awkwardly into the living room.
    She made it as far as the couch before she was yanked to her feet, then thrown over a hard male shoulder. Shock at the man’s silent approach kept her still for precious moments. How had he snuck up on her like that?
    But then her fear kicked back in. The gag muffled her cries as she tried to wriggle free. She might as well have saved her breath. Her captor held her far too securely. Her struggle didn’t even loosen his grip.
    He wasn’t the same man who’d held her throat. This man’s scent was sharper, heavy with sweat and dirt. He didn’t speak as he moved. His silence, combined with the darkness, increased her terror. Made her certain she was about to be killed. Tears leaked out of her eyes, running into her hairline as her upside down head bobbed with each step he took.
    The bathroom door opened, then shut behind her. There was enough light from a flashlight for her to see the boots of the other men.
    Her captor dumped her on the floor, then jerked her hair and used it to position her on her knees. He moved behind her, sitting on the edge of the tub so his thick legs bracketed her torso. He twisted his