Page 9 of Escaped
Chapter Four
Toward Freedom
Eli
The relief emanating from every fiber of my being was the all-consuming variety I’d never known before.Even though my heart rate was still high and the omnipresent threat Hawkins and his cronies posed was all too real, I sensed myself relaxing as Baron moved away.
Erin was okay, but more than that, she’d managed to avoid the worst of Hawkins’ attention and wriggle free from his grasp, arming herself in the process.I couldn’t decide if divine intervention had played a part in the miraculous outcome, or whether she was seriously more accomplished than I’d given her credit for, but either way, I thanked my lucky stars.
“Follow him.”Moving in behind her, I whispered the word into her ear.“I have your back, little girl.”
I never asked if she wanted me ‘at her back’, but the suggestive smile she offered as she twisted over her shoulder to receive my words offered reassurance.
“I’m so happy I found you.”She reached for my hand.“I hoped I would, but I didn’t know, and—”
“Shhh.”Baron pressed one finger to his lips, his eyes drilling into me as he turned to silence us.“I’d like to maintain the element of surprise if we can.”
“Noted.”Squeezing Erin’s hand, I accepted responsibility for our volume.“My bad.”
Baron’s face relaxed.“Listen, I know you two have some catching up to do, but let’s not forget where we are.”
I doubted that was possible.“We need to find an exit, and ideally, some means to get away.”
Though that might be easier said than done.
“I might be able to help with that.”Erin reached tentatively into her pocket and tugged something free.Opening her palm, she revealed what looked like a vehicle key fob.
Baron paused, his brow rising.“You have a car?”
“Yeah.”She shifted her focus between Baron and me.“I kindaborrowedthe key from our host.I figured he must have a car around here somewhere, or why bother with the fob?”
“Brilliant.”Baron grinned.“Thank goodness for your resourcefulness, Erin!”
“I don’t approve of theft.”My tone was intentionally low, my cock stirring at the sight of her eyes widening.Naturally, I couldn’t have cared less that she’d stolen from the worm who’d snatched us both away, but it was fun to toy with her anyway.Arching a brow at her, I felt more like myself already as I lowered my voice.“And you know how I deal with troublemakers, little girl.”
“I think he owed me!”The growing blush on her cheeks was adorable, and I considered ordering her to call me ‘sir’ just to add to the effect, but our predicament insisted I wait for my gratification.
“You’re right.”I could have kissed her right then and there.Erin’s ingenuity had presented us with a serious getaway option once we found our way out of the confines of Hawkins’ bunker.“He owes us all, and that’s why you get a free pass, little girl.”
“Gee, thanks.”She slipped the fob back into her pocket.“Maybe I’ll let you come along with me and Paul, then.”
Snorting quietly at her childish inference, I shook my head.She’d pay for that remark later, but only once I got her safely into my bed.
“Come on.”Ignoring our banter, Baron looked bemused as he urged us on.“I reckon if we follow the external wall, we’ll have to find an exit at some point.”
“Good plan.I think there’ll be…” I never finished that sentence, the sound of male voices echoing from the hallway behind us capturing my attention.Pausing, my heart raced as I checked the coast was clear.
“Behind us!”Keeping my voice hushed, I motioned in the direction I meant, thankful there was no sign of company yet.“They’re coming!”
“Go!”Baron yanked at my sleeve.“Take her and keep going.I’ll deal with them.”
“You’re sure?”
It seemed wrong to abandon a man I respected so much, especially after he’d worked so hard fighting for both of us, but Baron’s words reflected my inherent desire to protect Erin.
I’d lost her once, and whatever happened, I wasn’t going to let her slip away again.Nothing between my little girl and me was set in stone—hell, I didn’t even know if she wasmine—but I certainly wasn’t going to allow a fiend like Hawkins to pollute what we’d created.That man had ruined my professional life.He wasn’t taking my personal joy as well.
“Go!”Baron hissed the word at us, his gaze narrowing.“Why are we even talking about this?Get out of here, find the car, and if you can, wait for me.”
