Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
"You have to stop crying," I tell her. "It'll draw attention."
She straightens her spine, giving one more sniffle before wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"I want you to walk out first," I tell her, my voice lowered now that we're closer to the hallway opening into the common area. "Head to my car, and I'll be a minute or so behind you, making sure we don't draw too much attention."
"Okay," she says, her head dipping in a nod. "Don't take too long."
"I won't," I tell her, watching her walk away.
My heart races, every warning bell in my head going off simultaneously, warning me that this is the wrong choice. I should tell someone. I should find Nyx and get him to agree to take us and to wait in the parking lot while Kayla attempts to gain access to her daughter.
But I don't.
I straighten my back, put a smile on my face, and leave the hallway, walking toward the front door without making eye contact with anyone.
The room continues to bubble with life. People talk and laugh. Several people are still picking over the food left on the long table, but no one stops me.
I don't even feel eyes on me the way I normally do when Nyx is around, telling me that he still hasn't returned after leaving the room earlier.
I close the front door softly, my eyes scanning the parking lot, feeling a little disappointed that there isn't someone out here wanting to know what we're up to. I promised Kayla it would just be us, but part of me wants someone else to step in and demand protection.
Kayla is jittery, trying the locked door handle over and over as I approach.
"I have to unlock it from the inside," I tell her, skipping looking under the vehicle and back seat for the first time in years as I unlock the door and climb inside.
The second I lean over and pull up the lock, Kayla opens the door and slips inside.
I look over at her as I slide the key into the ignition, wanting to ask her again to let us find someone to go with us, but she looks terrified.
I'm not a medical person. I don't have any formal training beyond the CPR and Heimlich maneuver required to work at the women's shelter, but I do know how serious the decision to consider a ventilator is.
I keep my mouth closed as I put my car in gear and pull out of the parking area.
The drive to the gate is filled with Kayla's renewed sobs and whispered worries about her daughter.
It strengthens my resolve to help her.
Of course, we're stopped at the gate.
I roll my window halfway down, hoping the man who steps out of the guard booth doesn't pay much attention to Kayla, so alarm bells aren't sounded.
"We'd like to leave," I tell Recon as he walks closer to the car. "Please open the gate."
"Where are you headed this late in the evening?"
The question hits me in a way that makes me angry. It's very familiar, as if any man has a right to ask such questions and dictate when and where I can go, as if I don't have free will to make decisions about my own life.
It's the first time I've felt this way since stepping onto the property.
I sit a little straighter.
"Her child is ill. I'd like you to open the gate," I repeat.
His eyes dart to Kayla, making me sit forward a little more in an attempt to block his view.
"I think you should have someone go with you," he says, pulling his eyes back to me.
Kayla sobs harder, and I can feel the shudder of her body through the seat under me.
"We aren't prisoners," I snap, trying not to feel a little guilty for my brash tone.
I shouldn't feel embarrassed for standing up for myself, but that doesn't stop the heat from rising in my cheeks.
"Open the gate," I say in a more even but very firm tone.
Recon takes a step back, glancing back over me one last time before pushing a button on the remote in his hand.
I roll up my window before the gate fully opens, inching forward and driving away from our protective cocoon as soon as the opening is wide enough for my car to fit through.
"They're going to be so angry," Kayla whispers as we drive closer to the hospital.
"I don't think they'll be very impressed," I agree.
"Do you think they'll refuse to let us come back?"
My hands tremble on the steering wheel, the idea making my blood run cold. I hadn't considered the repercussions of us leaving, beyond them being upset we left without an escort.
"I don't know," I whisper, pressing my foot harder on the accelerator.
Chapter 49
Nyx
I have no idea what the fuck just happened or the real reason I was triggered into having those memories, but the last half hour has left me completely drained, as if I had run a marathon after a week without food or water.