Page 67 of Atone in Darkness
She sighed. “I left some in the bathroom around the corner, along with a toothbrush and other stuff you might need.”
“Thanks, Doctor.”
Then he walked away and did his best to ignore the worried whispers behind his back. Yeah, they were concernedabout him. He got that. But until he found Marisol, nothing else mattered. Without her, he didn’t much care if he jumped right back into the deep end of crazy again. Not that he’d admit to that. They would strap him back down in a heartbeat, and it would be a coin toss if they shoved a tranquilizer or a shitload of toxins in his vein this time.
He was marginally calmer by the time he showeredand dressed. With luck, people would have taken him seriously and left for a while. He couldn’t handle anyone hovering over him right now.
The lab was quiet. Good. He had no idea where everyone had gone, but this might be his best chance to escape. He rounded the corner heading for the door, only to find two men standing there. They were Paladins by the look of them, but he didn’t remember evermeeting either of them before. But considering how they went on point the second he saw them, they knew him for sure.
“Did you guys want something?”
“You don’t know us, but we were there when you died. I’m Tyson Dahl, and this is Eli Jervain. I guess you’d describe us as new recruits.”
What was he supposed to do with that information? “Welcome to the crazy club.”
Tyson grimaced. “You won’tfeel that way when you learn I met Dr. Riggs when I was a guard at the compound.”
That instantly flipped Chase’s temper switch. Before he could lay his hands on the bastard, the other man shoved his way between them. “Damn it, Tyson, do you want to get yourself killed?”
Tyson managed to stay just out of Chase’s reach. “Sorry,let me rephrase that. Maybe I should have said is that I walked awayfrom that job when I didn’t like the kind of orders I was given.”
Chase eased back. “Do you know where Marisol is?”
Tyson and Eli exchanged glances before answering. “Yeah, we do. And before you ask, she’s safe for now.”
“Take me to her.”
Tyson gave him a hard look. “Not until I know what your intentions are toward her.”
Why did everyone seemed determined to stand between him and Marisol?“My intentions are none of your damn business, and if you don’t want to end up strapped down to one of those tables, you’ll tell me where she is right now.”
Tyson crossed his arms over his chest, clearly not intimidated by Chase’s threats. “The lady has been through enough. She deserves a little peace and quiet, especially someplace where half the people aren’t wanting to throw her to the wolvesand the other half want to throw her in a cell somewhere.”
Chase considered his options. He could do the stupid thing and try to beat the answer out of two men who were both his equal in size and strength, or he could do the smart thing and admit the truth.
“I love her. She needs to know that. If she still wants to leave after the two of us talk, I’ll make sure she gets a fresh start where thoseanimals won’t get their hands on her again.”
Tyson studied him a few seconds before finally nodding. “In that case, I’ll take you to her. Understand this, though. If the good doctor doesn’t want to see you, you will leave with no arguments.”
What choice did he have? “Agreed. Now let’s get out of here.”
After Tyson stepped out of his way, Chase led the charge out of the lab, but they came toa screeching halt as soon as they cleared the doorway. Damn it, he should’ve known he wouldn’t make his escape that easily. Jarvis and Gwen were just coming into the building, and they weren’t alone. Tyson and Eli moved up to flank him, but he still wasn’t sure if they were there to help or hinder his escape.
Devlin gave them a puzzled look. “Where do you three think you’re going?”
“They’retaking me to see Marisol.”
Gwen pushed past her husband to plant herself right in front of him. “Chase, please don’t rush into anything you might regret.”
He stared down at the woman who had put her whole life on hold to raise him. He owed her everything and didn’t want to hurt her.
“Sis, tell me this. When I didn’t want you getting involved with Jarvis, did you listen to me or your heart?”
Her eyes flared wide and then she took a step back. “My heart.”
“Do you regret that decision?”
She glanced back at her husband. “No, never.”
