Page 53 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

When the doors finally open, we’re in a cavernous underground garage. Rows of black SUVs and luxury vehicles line the concrete space. At the far end, a ramp leads up to what must be the exit.

The garage is mostly empty—and there’s no sign of Caldwell or Hailey.

Fuck. I’m too late. My heart hammers in my chest as I scan the area.

The beta’s eyes dart to the exit ramp. “I…I don’t know.”

I follow his gaze just in time to see taillights disappearing up the ramp—a dark van moving fast.

“Is that him?”

The beta hesitates, and I press the gun harder against his temple.

“Yes,” he whispers. “That’s one of the transport vehicles.”

My heart pounds in my chest. Caldwell is getting away with Hailey. I need to move. Now.

“Where’s your car?” I ask the beta.

He shakes his head, trembling now. “My—my keys are in my locker upstairs. I can’t?—”

“Damn it!” I snarl, my grip tightening on his collar as desperation claws at me. Once Caldwell hits the main road, it will be nearly impossible to track him. I’ve lost precious time already fighting my way out, and every second counts.

Then I spot them—more black vans, identical to the one Caldwell just left in, parked in a neat row near the elevator. I turn the beta toward them.

“What about those? Pretty sure keys for those aren’t kept upstairs.”

His silence is all the confirmation I need.

I push him forward, toward the vans. “Move.”

“Y-you can let me go now. The keys are inside. You can drive it yourself.”

His words sent a dart of pain through me. Because I can’t. Not even now, I can’t. I can’t drive it. I can’t touch the wheel. Not after…not after…

Armed men burst from the stairwell just as we reach the nearest vehicle. Shouts echo through the garage, followed by the unmistakable sound of weapons being readied.

“Get in. Drive,” I order, shoving the beta through the passenger’s door before climbing in behind him.

The beta fumbles with the keys hanging from the ignition, hands shaking so badly he can barely turn them. The engine roars to life just as the first shots ring out, bullets pinging off the metal exterior.

“Go!” I roar.

He floors it, tires squealing as we lurch forward. More bullets follow us, one shattering the rear window as we race up the exit ramp.

We emerge into the evening air. The facility sits isolated in a clearing, surrounded by dense forest. About fifty miles north of Burlington, if I had to guess. The mountain silhouettes in the distance look familiar—we’re still in our home state, near the border.

The black van that must be carrying Caldwell and Hailey is just visible ahead, turning onto a main road that snakes through the trees.

“Follow them,” I order.

The beta complies, hands tight on the steering wheel. “They’ll kill me for this,” he mutters, more to himself than to me.

“Only if they catch you,” I reply grimly. “Now drive faster.”

“I’m going as fast as I can! It’s dangerous to drive this fast on these roads. What do you want to do? Die?”

I laugh, a cold sound that makes him pale. “You think I care about dying right now?”

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