Page 77 of Blind Justice

“We also have a car waiting,” Evan added. “A medical transport van. Looks official but won’t draw attention. It’ll get you out of the city without raising flags.”

Paul frowned. “And after that?”

Brad sighed. “After that, you’re on your own.”

Noah was fine with that.

* * *

Another movement from Ruth.A small, pained whimper.

Noah was at her side in an instant. “Rae?”

She stirred, her blind eyes fluttering open.

He hated seeing her like this. So fragile. So lost.

Her voice was weak. “Noah?”

“I’m here,” he murmured.

She exhaled, relief flickering across her face. For a moment, she just breathed. Then, she frowned slightly. “…I feel weird.”

Paul stepped closer. “Define weird.”

Ruth’s brows knit together. “Like I’m not… all the way here.”

Noah’s chest tightened.

Paul placed a hand on her wrist, checking her pulse. “How’s your head?”

She hesitated. “…Heavy.”

Paul and Noah exchanged a look.

James stepped in, checking her pupils with a small light. “Her reflexes are slower.”

Tristan cursed softly. They had checked and scanned everything and found nothing.

Noah’s grip on Ruth’s hand tightened. “We’re still going,” he said before anyone could argue.

No one objected. Because they all knew staying was worse.

The room emptied after that. Brad left to finalize security measures. Alex and Evan took care of the last of the paperwork. Paul triple-checked every supply in the duffel.

But Noah didn’t move. He stayed exactly where he was—next to Ruth, his fingers still wrapped around hers.

She shifted slightly, her blind eyes searching. “Are you still here?”

“Always,” he said quietly.

She sighed, her body relaxing. She trusted him. Even now. Even like this.

Noah swallowed past the lump in his throat. They had a long road ahead of them. But for now, he just held on to her.

Twenty-Nine

Maxim Fairchild couldn’t sleep. Not that it surprised him. Men like him rarely slept.