Page 90 of Revenant

Not with their abilities.

They probably don’t want to drag trouble back to their families…or maybe their families were the ones who turned them over to the asylum in the first place.

I’m shocked when I spot Crystal’s body lying in the grass, her crumpled form resting a few yards away from everyone else, like no one wants to be anywhere near her. I don’t blame them, not after the way she acted, and I grimace at the fact that she somehow managed to survive.

I’m horrible.

I know Ishouldfeel bad for my thoughts.

But I don’t.

Ugh…Ireallyneed to work on myself.

I’ll start tomorrow.

“Rue—” Hicks stands in front of me, blocking the view. “Don’t.”

“Don’t?” I lift my brows, then mimic his pose and plant my hands on my hips, blinking up at him innocently. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Not the least bit swayed, he scowls and shakes his head. “We can’t take them with us.”

“Can we affordnotto help them?” I counter, my hands dropping to my sides and my shoulders wilting. “If not for a chance of fate, I would be one of them.”

“Never.” He cups my jaw, a fierce expression crossing his face. A tiny purr, no more than a whisper of sound, emerges from his chest, and my stress melts away. I gingerly rest my hand on his arm, unable to keep from touching him. He sighs heavily, then glances at the motley crew of patients with a scowl.

“We can’t afford to have people with special abilities wreaking havoc on the world. Many of them don’t even know how to use their powers without harming themselves or others.” Without being aware that I even moved, I shuffle closer to the delicious heat that radiates from him, craving the contact. “If they draw enough attention, it’s only a matter of time before we’re all hunted down.”

A rumble fills his chest, one of defeat, and he reluctantly nods.

I should be elated. Unfortunately, I suspect this is just the beginning, and my worries come tumbling out. “If there is one facility…”

“There are probably more,” he finishes, his expression turning grim.

“We can’t go home.” Gunner joins us, his voice solemn.

“No, we can’t,” Hicks agrees. When he turns, his gaze lands on Jameson, and he only says two words. “Plan B.”

“Yes!” Jameson’s eyes light up like the Fourth of July, and he pumps a fist in the air as he does a victory dance. “That’s what I’m talking about!”

He glances about the area, a furrow between his brows like he’s searching for something. When his eyes land on Ellis and the computer resting in his hands, he bounds over with the energy of an overeager puppy.

“Does that thing still work?” Jameson points to the computer, practically squirming in place. If he had a tail, it would be wagging.

“Yes?” It comes out as more of a question, and it’s not long before they are both hovering over the computer screen.

“What is plan B?” I glance at the others in curiosity, not wanting to disturb the pair as they work. The guys glance at each other in confusion, and I peer up at Hicks for the answer. If anyone would know, it would be him.

Only, he shakes his head. “No clue.”

“What?” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Hicks is such a control freak that I didn’t think it was possible for him not to demand answers.

“James often helps battered women escape from their abusive husbands or boyfriends,” Jaceson admits, glancing over at his brother with a fondness that has warmth filling my chest. He looks back to catch me staring, and a wry smile tugs at his lips. “When he rescues them, he creates escape plans so elaborate that no one can ever find them again.”

I’m not the least bit surprised he would help a woman in need, and my heart melts at his thoughtfulness. “And this plan B?”

“Plan B is for you,” Hicks admits, running his fingers through his hair in a nervous gesture that has my stomach somersaulting. “I asked him to create an escape plan for you when I learned about your father, just in case something happened. Unfortunately, you were taken before we could implement it.”

I’m more than a little shocked at his response.

---