Page 6 of Escaped
“Keep going, little girl.”His voice burst into my mind, its timbre consoling.“You should be proud of how far you’ve come.”
The thought emboldened me, reminding me to raise the gun,just in case,and hold my head up.Eli was right.Why should I hide and feel anxious?I’d done nothing wrong.Armed with a weapon and a purpose, I had every chance of succeeding.
Smiling, I skimmed my fingertips over the edge of the gun.I might not have known much, but I knew the thing was loaded, and I knew where the trigger was.
The next guy on Hawkins’ payroll who came strutting along to play was going to get a lot more than he bargained for.
Chapter Three
A Twist of Fate
Eli
It was just like old times.Clearing each hallway, room by room, Baron and I had already systematically disarmed four more of Hawkins’ men, leaving them unconscious for their hapless boss to deal with.Despite the growing euphoria, the weapons, and the good fortune to have found a key for the cuffs, I refused to allow myself to enjoy the moment.
Erin was still at Hawkins’ mercy.I wouldn’t rest until I knew she was finally safe.
That’s what I promised her, after all.
My lips twitched at the unhelpful reminder.I’d vowed to look after her, but all I’d done was inadvertently lead one of my foulest foes right to her door.
“Clear.”Baron appeared from the most recent doorway, his weapon poised.So far, neither of us had needed to fire our guns, finding they made far greater blunt instruments.“No one’s home.”
“Shame.”
All my pent-up, frustrated rage had put me in the mood to eradicate more of the army Hawkins had gathered, but knowing we were leaving them alive to live with the ignominy of defeat made it all the sweeter.Those men were going to wake up with smacking heads and know they were outmaneuvered by two underestimated prisoners.I hoped they fucking choked on the memories.
“Keep moving.”Baron was already stalking ahead, his sights set on the next objective.
I couldn’t recall ever seeing him so intent on overcoming a challenge.When I’d worked under him, he’d been more likely to delegate tasks to men like Hawkins.It seemed his time in incarceration had focused his mind and reminded him that the only way to truly get things done was to do them himself.
“There’s another room up ahead.”Jogging to catch up with him, I gestured to the door on the left.“I’ll handle that one.”
Watching Baron take control was inspiring.That a man at his stage of life could be so damn competent had prompted me to remember how much I missed the old job.Yes, I’d relished all the years in the wilderness, taking care of the natural world, but there was still a part of me that yearned for the fast-paced adrenaline of the past.I’d forgotten how good it was when my senses were sharp and I was ready for action.Even though I’d never loved taking orders, I’d consider obeying again if I could replicate the rush of purpose and strength our current mission was providing.I was alive again in a way I hadn’t been since Hawkins had swiped my career away, and all those years of training returned in one heady blast.
“Hang on.”Baron reached for my arm as I hurried past him.“Wait.”
“What?”I spun, impatient at his sudden delay.
“Listen.”He mouthed the word, motioning to the end of the corridor.“I hear someone.”
Turning, I forced myself to concentrate.Standing still, with the gun in my hand, it was difficult to hear anything other than the charging of my heart, but when I focused, I could hear the subtle shuffling of someone moving in the hallway.
The noise was different from those we’d encountered previously.Those guys had come in pairs, their banter and boots resonating around the corridors well before their ugly mugs came into view.The scuffling sound reverberating then was entirely dissimilar.It spoke of a much lighter tread, and based on what I could hear, there appeared to be only one person.
“You’re right.”I matched his quiet tone.“I’ll deal with them.”
“Okay.”He nodded, apparently content for me to take the lead.He had, after all, dealt with the majority of the assholes we’d encountered so far and was probably looking for me to pick up the slack.“Be careful.”
Be careful.
I might have scoffed at his warning had I not been so determined to take care of whoever was coming.Gun lifted above my head, I was poised to take the newcomer out the same way I’d dealt with the others.
Time protracted in that way it always did when we were waiting for something, when all our attention was fixed on that one, central point of concern.In that suspended bubble, I held my breath, ready for the aggression that was likely coming to greet me.My pulse was racing, nervous energy colliding with excitement as I prepared for the confrontation.
Whoever it was wouldn’t know what had hit them.
***
