Page 111 of Hiding Secrets

“Stephen!” Hunter shouts through the line, and for a moment I’m confused. Then it hits me. Stephen was his cover name. To keep him safe, Kameron couldn’t exist.

The noises stop on the other end of the line. We all stare at the phone, collectively holding our breath until the call ends.

“Fuck!” Hunter slams his fist against the elevator wall.

The doors open up and a lady at a desk greets us, but we all just stare.

Kelly gives her a small smile as she hits the close door button repeatedly, which takes forever.

“We’re leaving.” Hunter finally says, breaking the silence.

“Mr. Sinclair, you need to meet with the board. Our clients–”

“Fucking hell!” He mutters, “Marcus, take Elliott to the house. Don’t let her out of your sight. This shit happened all at once. The company, getting into their security, Kameron.” Marcus still paces the small space. “You fucking felt suspicious. I felt it. Kameron most definitely felt it. We didn’t listen.”

“We checked all of it, we triple checked all of it. What the fuck did I miss?” Marcus says in a low tone.

“They baited us.” Hunter replies to Marcus, “Call your men and get this shit sorted. You and Elliott go back to the house and wait for me there. I have to talk to these fucking people and get them off my back. I won’t be long.” He kisses my lips, pushing the button to open the door of the elevator again, “Don’t you dare leave his side.”

He steps out of the elevator with Kelly in tow, “Keep her safe.” Hunter eyes Marcus, walking back into the elevator, slamming his mouth onto Marcus’s. “Keepbothof you safe.” He adds, pulling away and walking out of sight with Kelly right on his tail. The doors shut and Marcus pushes a button marked with a large L.

Everything happens so fast.

One minute we’re going to a meeting, the next Marcus is rushing me to the SUV and hightailing it through the city. I don’t take in the sights this time as we merge from lane to lane. Not even noticing the change from city to the woods.

We pull up to a house, parking the car, and then make our way inside.

“Marcus–” my voice cracks, “What the fuck just happened?”

“I…” he runs his hands through his hair, “They knew we’d be here.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. But we need to try and calm down and think this over.”

My blood boils as he tells me to calm down. My vision tunnels as my heart picks up. My fists ball up and I scream at the top of my lungs.

68

Marcus

“How am I supposed to stay calm whenthatjust happened?” She growls at me. “The line went out, Marcus. He felt like something was off too.”

“I’m worried too, but us freaking out isn’t going to help Kam.”

“I am freaking out because I’m scared, because I care!”

“And I’m not scared?”

“You sure don’t look like it.”

I rush to her, “I am just as scared of losing him as I am for Hunter or…” I take deep breaths, “Anyone else I care about. I’m scared but I can’t let that control my actions, El. I have to think of the next steps. I have my team there but I am here. After Hunter’s done with this meeting, we’re going to join them.”

“What if we are–”

“Stop! Just stop, Elliott!” I shout louder than I should. I know she’s just scared that Kameron is hurt just like I am, but fuck, I can’t…I can’t afford to believe he’s hurt, or worse.

Her eyes go cold and she takes a step back, “El–” Before I can finish she turns away, walking down the hallway. She has no idea where she’s going and I don’t care what room she occupies, as long it helps her calm the fuck down and I have time to do the same.

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