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She’d been trained to withstand a variety of torture, both physical and mental, and though she had enough self-discipline to maintain control of her senses under extreme circumstances, at some point biology would prevail. If she ingested too much, it didn’t matter how much willpower she had, she would fall flat on her face and this mission would fail. Just this small bite was going to make her ability to rescue Catie incredibly hard. 
    As she swallowed, her taste buds noted the minute smoky flavor, telling her that she had indeed consumed some of the drug. She reminded herself that she had been through worse. She had once rescued a young couple from Kent, England, who had been abducted on their honeymoon. The rescue had gone perfectly, and as far as she knew, the couple was still happily wed. Sabrina, however, still had the scar from the gunshot to her side, and the bullet was still inside her. If she could rescue two people on her own with a gaping, bleeding hole in her side, she could damn well stay awake and save Catie Conaway.
    Thankfully, Reuben had a healthy appetite and practically stuffed the entire pastry in his mouth. Turning, she took his glass of wine and raised it to his lips. The drug would act fast, faster still with alcohol. She watched him take a healthy swallow and then another.
    Reuben turned to grab another delicacy and knocked a serving spoon onto the floor. Throwing her a goofy grin, he leaned forward to pick up the spoon and kept going, collapsing with a solid thud.
    She would have to be quick. Even though the drug would keep him out for a sufficient amount of time, she had no guarantee that his servants wouldn’t return to clear the table. She went to her feet and then just as swiftly sat back down. Crap, even though she’d taken only a tiny bite, the drug was already inhibiting her motor skills.
    She gave a vigorous shake of her head and rose again. This time, she stayed up. She didn’t bother wasting precious time to try to move Reuben. If anyone walked in, whether he was lying on the floor or on the sofa wouldn’t matter. An alarm would sound, and the search would be on for her. 
    Her focus was as clear as it was going to get. She slipped out of her heels and pushed them under the table. Running barefoot would be a lot easier than moving around in four-inch heels. With only a slight wobble, she made her way to the door. Twisting the knob, she eased it open, hoping to avoid any sound. Sabrina peeked out. Only one guard to her right, looking down at his hands. She closed the door behind her and then, feet silent, she stealthily moved toward him. He should have seen her out of the corner of his eye…why hadn’t he noticed her yet? As she drew closer, a snuffling snore gave her the answer. 
    Sabrina gave the sleeping guard a not-so-gentle tap to his head. The man slumped forward, and she repositioned him so he would look as though he were still snoozing. And he was, only a little deeper than he had been before.
    She scanned the broad hallway and located the door to the third-floor staircase. Even though LCR hadn’t been able to get inside the mansion until now, they had been able to access the mansion’s floor plan. After careful study, the majority opinion had been that Reuben would keep his captives on the third floor. It was out of sight of the many guests the mansion often hosted, but would give him easy access when he wanted them.
    She was about to take a step when a wave of dizziness swept over her. Pulling in a deep breath, Sabrina blinked away the lightheadedness and dashed to the door. The quicker she got this done, the better for everyone.
    She twisted the doorknob and tugged it open. Fellow operatives Aidan Thorne and Justin Kelly would handle the guards surrounding the mansion. Both former military snipers, the two men would have no problem taking out the seven guards on duty. 
    She entered a small foyer that led to a stairway to the third floor. Another wave of vertigo