Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 196

I started to feel unwell, but my mind was telling me to bear with it. I believed Bailey had already called the cops. If they could get here in time, I'd have a chance to escape.

But Russel was faster. After hearing his voice, I felt utterly hopeless.

"Irene!" He roared with anger and anxiety.

Suddenly, a knife was put to my throat. Someone threatened Russel, "Drink the bottle of water on the table, or I'll kill her!"

I tried to open my eyes. My vision was blurry, but I could see Russel in the distance. He walked over to a table and drank from a bottle of water.

I wanted to stop him, but my voice was weak, "Russel..."

Once Russel finished the water, the man next to me bolted, and I heard the sound of the door locking.

Without a second’s hesitation, Russel ran to me and held me in his arms. It was only then that I could see his face clearly. His handsome face was filled with worry and anger.

“Russel, call the cops. The water... it was drugged…” I was burning up and could barely breathe.

“Drugged?” Russel glanced at the empty bottle.

I could smell his scent, like some kind of shower gel, and it felt like I was in a field of flowers.

Was this how Neil felt when he was drugged and out of control?

Even though I didn’t have any romantic feelings for Russel, his charm was hard to resist. He was handsome, in good shape, and a real hunk.

I could feel that something was off with him too. He was radiating the same heat as me, and his eyes were getting dull.

“Russel, stay away from me!” I could hardly bear it anymore; my mind was filling with inappropriate images.

But Russel didn’t let go of me. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he suddenly kissed me on the cheek.

“I’m single!” I kept telling myself this, and then I mustered up the courage to push Russel to the ground and climbed on top of him, hastily pulling at his clothes.

Russel's chest was heaving; he was trying to control himself just like me.

His usually calm eyes were now filled with madness. Just as I was about to give up resisting, there was a sound from outside the door.

Then came a loud bang!

The door couldn’t withstand the strong kick, and it was easily knocked down. Neil's figure gradually became clear in the rising dust, and his voice stopped, "Irene..."

Russel and I were in a very awkward position; our clothes were disheveled.

The look on Neil's face froze as he stared at Russel and me.

His hand slowly clenched into a fist.

With Neil were others, including my parents, Stella, Barbara Sands, Alicia Rider, Mitch Hebert, and Cooper Clarke; even Louis Aldridge was there.

They all came to save me, but they didn't expect to see this.

"Irene!" My mother exclaimed in surprise.

Mitch quickly took off his jacket, and Stella ran over to cover me with it. Her eyes were on Russel, and while looking completely shocked, she asked, "Russel, what were you two doing...?"