Page 28 of Deceptive Lies

A chuckle rumbled through the cell. “Don’t doubt it for a moment. I’m going to boost you up, but I’ll need you to help pull yourself up onto the ground.”

“I can do that,” she assured him.

Shifting so he was behind her, Cooper’s large hands circled her waist, and he lifted her with ease. As soon as she could reach the top, Willow dug her fingers into the dirt, and even though her arms shook with the effort, she somehow managed to drag herself onto the ground.

It took almost everything out of her that she had left, and all she could do was lie there, panting and staring up at the stars shimmering in the sky.

Without a word, Cooper climbed up beside her, then without hesitating, he scooped her into his arms and took off running. This time there was no pretending that nothing had happened, that she was still in her cell, or that nothing was wrong. As soon as the professor looked out into the yard in the morning, he’d know she was gone.

A part of her wished she could see the look on his face when he realized she was free. She’d told him exactly what she was going to do if she got away from him, and that was destroy him.

She couldn’t wait.

When Cooper reached the fence, he stopped, and she could feel the tension emanating from him. He was worrying about her ability to assist in her own rescue, and she had no intention of being deadweight. She might be dangerously close to empty, but she had a determination that could last for days. Never give up, that was her motto, and it held as strong today as it did the day she was taken.

“Can you make it over the fence?”

“Yes.”

“Need to know the truth, Willow. No shame if you can't, we’ll find another way.”

“But this is the fastest. I can do it. Maybe with a little help,” she conceded.

“I’ll boost you, then all you have to do is swing your leg over. If you can't do the drop, wait for me to get over and catch you, I don’t know how badly you're injured, and I don’t want you to aggravate anything.”

“No way to avoid it,” she mumbled as Cooper shifted his hold on her to better be able to boost her up. Since she was in his arms, she felt his brief pause and realized she shouldn’t have mentioned that right now. There would be time to worry about her injuries later, but not now.

Shaking from exhaustion, spurred on only by sheer force of will, somehow Willow managed to grab the top of the fence when Cooper boosted her up to it. It wasn't an easy fence to climb, well, not covered from head to toe with bruises, but somehow, she managed to swing a leg up and over.

Her plan had been to wait there on the top for Cooper to get over so he could help her down the other side, but her trembling arms gave out and she lost her grip. Hitting the ground hard, her body sort of bounced off the concrete and then just lay there.

She was done.

Even though she wanted to, she just had nothing left to give.

Feet hit the ground beside her, and when Cooper once again bent and gathered her into his arms, she couldn’t help but wince. All she wanted was to be free from pain, even just for a minute or two. Her body had been pushed beyond what it could endure, and while she was proud she’d made it this far, she just wanted it to all be over.

“Not long now, honey, hold on for me just a little longer,” Cooper urged as he took off running full speed.

They were almost to the road when the first shot came out of nowhere.

Hopelessness hit hard and fast.

How could she have thought she was going to be able to escape?

Of course, fate wouldn't be on her side. It never was.

Cooper muttered a curse, and Willow shoved aside all negative thoughts. This wasn't just about her. Cooper was here, too. Risking his life for her.

“Do you have a weapon?” she asked when he slowed. “I know how to shoot.”

A second later, it was thrust into her hand, and even though she couldn’t see what she was shooting at it didn't matter. She would lay down as much cover fire as she could to give them a chance.

If she failed, they’d both be dead.

Chapter

Eight

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