Page 77 of Captured Heart

“I thought you were just book-smart, but this is some next-level MacGyver stuff. How did your ex ever think you were boring?”

“He didn’t know about any of my hidden talents,” I reply with a shrug. “He also didn’t know about my moonlighting gig as Katelyn, the Droll Troll.”

His face scrunches in the cutest way. “I don’t think anyonewantsto know that about you. It’s something you should keep a secret. Stick to chemistry. You’rewaybetter at that. So good that I’m starting to wonder what it would’ve been like if you were on my team during a heist. You would’ve been my greatest asset. Do you know the kind of shit we could’ve pulled off together?”

I giggle, loving that hint of excitement I hear in his voice. “You think I could’ve been the Bonnie to your Clyde?”

“Absolutely. The two of you are cut from the same cloth. I’m sure Bonnie also wore sensible cardigans and color-coded her spreadsheets.”

“Well, actually with the bootcamp-like obstacle course you’re sending me through today, I don’t think I really align with Bonnie.”

He sees the buildup and knows it’s coming because giggles are already sputtering out of me. “Don’t do it, Katie.”

“And when you throw in my mindful carb intake...”

“Now is not the time nor the place.”

“...I think the name that suits me better is...low GI...Jane.”

With a groan, he shuts his eyes and presses his fingers against his forehead as if he’s trying to stop his brain fromglitching. “Please....for the love of all that is holy...pleasedon’t do that again.”

I crack up. His lack of reaction gets me every time, and I’m so glad I got to see it tonight. It’s probably the last time I’m ever going to see it.

“Stick to smoke bombs,” he continues. “It’s an area you’re at least competent in.”

“Well, let’s hope you’re right.” I try to keep my tone light as I sprinkle in more sugar, but as everything comes together, the pressure is starting to get to me. “But save your applause for when this actually works.”

I look at my concoction and a heavy weight settles on my shoulders, replacing the playfulness and humor that was just in this room a moment ago. Everything is riding on this smoke bomb actually working. What if something goes wrong? What if I don’t make it out?

I turn to Alex, clenching my hands to stop them from trembling. “I’m...I’m a little scared.”

He notices the change in my mood immediately and crouches down beside me. “You’re going to be fine,” he assures me, and I allow his steadiness to calm me. He cups my face, and I turn into his touch, loving the warmth on my cheek. “What did I say earlier? We’re both meticulous, and we’ve planned this down to the last detail. We won’t fail.”

I stare up at him, the knot in my stomach tightening. “What if I get caught? What if—”

“You’re not going to get caught,” he says, cutting me off with firmness. “But if you do, we’ll give Victor the files. That’s our last resort.”

I swallow hard, trying to steady my breathing. The weight of what’s about to happen presses down on me, making it almost impossible to think straight. “Tomorrow is day three. If I don’t get out tonight, my dad—”

“You will.”

I nod, but my throat still feels tight. “Please come with me, Alex. If you stay—”

He exhales slowly, his eyes dropping to the floor. “It’s too risky to double-cross Victor. If he finds out about us...” He stops, reconsidering the idea before he shakes his head. “I can’t leave. If he finds out, he’ll hurt you to get back at me.”

“I don’t care. I just—”

“I care! Katie, if something happens to you—” He shuts his eyes, rejecting the thought entirely. “You need to focus on getting out of here. Don’t worry about me.”

“I can’t just leave you here. When the cops get here, you’ll get arrested with the rest of them.” My mind races through a thousand different outcomes. “What if you just leave? When you wake up, and they tell you I’m gone, tell Victor you’re out. Tell him it’s too risky now that I’ve escaped and just leave.”

“It doesn’t work like that. You don’t just walk away from Victor. Not unless you want a bullet in your back. If I leave the second you’re gone, he’ll know. It’s an admission of guilt. He’ll connect the dots, and he won’t stop until he finds us both.”

The lump in my throat makes it impossible to respond. The pain is almost unbearable. “So, this is it? I’m never going to see you again?”

His jaw tightens, and he doesn’t answer right away. “It has to be that way. You need to move on and forget about me. I’m no good, anyway. When you leave here, never look back.”

I shake my head, choosing to say nothing because I can’t make that promise. I can’t just walk away from this, from him, fromus. Asking me to forget about him is asking for the impossible. Instead, I redirect my focus back to the plan.

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