Page 132 of Can You Take It?

Victor glances around, probably checking for any threats. I look away, pretending to be busy with my phone. He turns back to the nurse. “Can we get a private room for her”

The nurse nods and directs them down the hallway. I follow at a distance. Victor and Izel follow the nurse into a private room. I wait for a few seconds, then approach the door. The nurse is talking to Victor, asking questions about Ava’s condition.

I need to get Izel out of there, but I can’t risk Victor seeing me. I step back, moving to a position where I can keep an eye on the room without being noticed.

Emily and Colton arrive. “What’s the plan?” Emily whispers.

“We need to get Izel out of that vest without triggering Victor,” I say. “Emily, see if you can find a way to cut the power on this floor. Colton, get a distraction ready—something to draw Victor away from Izel. I’ll move in once he’s distracted.”

Emily nods and heads off to find the breaker box. I text Noah to arrange for a bomb squad ASAP. Then I shoot Wilson a message: “Situation at hospital. Need CMO informed immediately. Potential casualty with bomb vest.”

Colton gives me a grim nod before moving to create a diversion. The nurse starts moving towards the exit, and I seize the moment to slip closer.

Victor’s voice drifts through the partially open door. “She needs to rest. Please make sure no one disturbs us.”

“Of course, sir,” the nurse replies, and I hear her footsteps fading away.

I pull back and spot Emily, who gives me a thumbs-up. Seconds later, the lights flicker and go out. The hospital is plunged into semi-darkness.

Time to move.

I signal to Colton, who’s ready with his distraction. He activates the fire alarm, sending a shrill scream through the halls. Chaos erupts as patients and staff react to the alarm. Victor steps out of the room, looking agitated, just as Colton rushes past him, deliberately bumping into him and spilling a cup of coffee all over his suit.

“What the hell?” Victor snaps, distracted by the mess and the alarm.

“Sorry, man! My bad!” Colton says as he continues down the hall, drawing Victor’s attention away from the room.

This is my chance. I slip into the room and find Izel standing beside her mother, who’s still unconscious on the bed. Izel’s eyes widen when she sees me, but she stays silent.

“We’re getting you out of here,” I whisper, moving quickly to examine the vest. “Stay calm.”

I pull out a small knife and begin cutting through the straps of the vest. “I’ve got a bomb squad on the way.”

“Richard, hurry,” Izel whispers back. “He’ll be back any second.”

I slice through the last strap and carefully remove the vest. “Okay, it’s off. Now let’s get out of here.”

Izel looks at her mom. “We’ll get her out safe, I promise,” I say. She nods, taking a deep breath, and we step out of the room. I signal Emily.

“Get Ava to safety,” I instruct. She nods, moving quickly to secure her.

Izel and I start walking out, keeping close to the walls and trying to blend in with the patients. The hospital is bustling with staff and confused patients, making it easier to stay concealed. I keep a protective arm around Izel, guiding her through the hospital.

We finally reach the parking lot. Just as I think we’re in the clear, Izel stops dead in her tracks. I follow her gaze and see Victor, standing there with a sinister smile, holding a trigger in his hand.

The minute Victor sees me, his eyes go wide. He probably expected me to be dead, but Izel saved my life. I quickly push myself in front of Izel, shielding her with my body. Victor’s shock morphs into a smug smile as he toys with the trigger.

“Going somewhere, Agent?” he sneers, hovering his finger over the button.

“Victor, don’t do this,” I say. “You don’t have to go down this path. Let’s talk this out.”

He chuckles darkly. “Talk? What’s there to talk about? You think you can just walk in here and take what’s mine?”

“She’s not yours. She’s a person, not a possession. Let her go, and we can figure this out without anyone getting hurt.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’d love that,” he says. “But you see, Agent, you’ve already hurt me more than you know. And now, it’s my turn.”

“You don’t have to do this,” I insist, my mind racing for a way to diffuse the situation. “Think about Izel. She doesn’t deserve this.”

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