Page 73 of Death Wish

Sawyer returned. He shook his head. “Didn’t see the orderly on the floor. He left behind his mop and bucket, though.”

“We’re taking Allison and Beckett to Artemis.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You think that’s wise?”

“Have a better idea until we fly them out of Mexico?”

“Got me there. How will we do this?”

“Monitor the hallway while we get Allison situated. Beckett, be honest with me. Can you carry your girlfriend from the hospital to our SUV in the parking lot? If you can’t, it’s no shame. Once we leave this room, we may not have time for someone else to take her from you.”

“I can do it.”

“Can you carry her on the run?”

He hesitated. “I’ve never tried that.”

“We need two armed people just in case,” Sawyer said from the doorway. “Safety protocol.”

Simone tugged away the blanket covering Allison, thankful she still wore street clothes. “Come on. Let’s see if you can sit up. We need to go before the orderly returns.”

She and Beckett helped Allison sit up on the side of the bed. The other woman swayed a moment, then steadied. “Ready to get out of here?”

Allison nodded. “Let’s go. I feel like my skin is crawling. Something is going to happen. I know it.”

“Then let’s not linger and give the enemy a chance to target you again,” Jesse said. “Sawyer?”

“Clear for the moment. I’m with Allison. My gut says trouble is coming.”

Beckett bent and scooped Allison into his arms. “Ready.”

Sawyer took the lead with Beckett and Allison behind him. Simone and Jesse brought up the rear. Instead of heading for the elevator, Sawyer led them to the back stairwell. He held up a fist when he reached the door. “Wait,” he whispered and opened the door a crack. When nothing happened, he slipped into the stairwell and returned seconds later. “Clear.”

As they followed him into the stairwell, Simone couldn’t help but think they were sitting ducks if the orderly appeared with a gun in his hands. Good thing they were only on the second floor.

Sawyer went through the same procedure at the exit door except he disabled the alarm so it wouldn’t ring and alert the hospital staff that the outer door had been opened.

He led the way out into the parking lot. Halfway to the SUV, a couple of men dressed as orderlies barreled from the exit door and raced toward the small entourage. Two more men ran from the front entrance and spread out while racing toward them.

“Keep moving,” Sawyer said.

“Simone.” Jesse handed her the key fob. “Get them inside the SUV as fast as possible. Stay focused.”

“Got it. Come on, Beckett. This way.”

“What about the orderlies chasing us?”

“Jesse and Sawyer will handle them. You’ll be safer inside the SUV. It has several safety features normal cars don’t.”

Gunfire broke out.

Allison pressed her face to Beckett’s neck but didn’t scream.

Although Simone longed to help Jesse and Sawyer, her presence would be a distraction, and she had a job to do.

When they were a few feet from the vehicle, she unlocked the doors. “Into the back, Beckett.”

Sirens sounded in the distance. Oh, no. Being detained by the local police was out of the question. She could imagine the questions because of the weapons Sawyer and Jesse carried. They couldn’t use Fortress’s name to help smooth the way so they needed to get out of here before the police showed up.

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