Page 9 of Relentless (Dark Confessions 3.50)

No, Nat. He’s too good, and you’d screw it up. Retract all fantasies and thoughts that include Beau.

He tapped my arm, stopping me, and I looked up, getting lost in his blue eyes for a second. “What?” I asked when he didn’t do anything. He tilted his head in a direction, and I peeked around the corner, spotting the guard we’d need to deal with. Pushing my shoulders back, I stepped around the corner slowly, hoping I could do this.

When he turned, he eyed me curiously. “Um, hi. I was wondering if you knew where I could find the bathroom.”

The guard opened his mouth, raising his arm with the com, and I jumped, striking him in the neck. It was enough to catch him off guard, and Beau stepped in, pulling him into a headlock until he passed out.

“Go. You have three minutes.”

Nodding, I ran to the door and opened it, not caring for stealth now. Time wasn’t on our side, and we needed to leave before we were discovered. A prone body laid in the bed, the shape all wrong. I didn’t let myself think about that at the moment and shook her, needing her to get up.

“Cami. Wake up.”

She mumbled something, barely conscious, and then finally opened her eyes when I wouldn’t stop.

“Please, don’t hurt me. Darren’s not here.” She cowered, breaking my heart. This wasn’t my Cami.

“It’s me, Bish. Come on, I’m rescuing you. I’m your fucking knight in black spandex.”

“Am I dreaming?” she asked.

“You’re about to be knocked unconscious if you don’t move your ass. I’m here to rescue you, but you’re not making it easy. Come on, let’s go!” She jumped up, tilting and I moved, catching her.

“Shit,” I hissed. “He hasn't been feeding you. You’re a fucking twig.” Pulling the shoes out of the bag, I tied them on quickly and helped her up. I only had a minute left, and it was going to be cutting it close at this rate.

Cami tried to stop me, but I ignored her, and stepped out into the hall, dragging Cami with me as I made my way to Beau. Whistling, he turned and made a motion to stop. Falling back against the wall, I crept along so I could hear what was going on. A guard had approached and was asking him questions, and it didn’t seem like he was buying our cover. Beau went to reach for the gun to stop him from finding us when Cami stepped out and I almost slapped her.

“Stop.” She placed a hand on his chest, and looked at the guard. “He’s… he’s not an enemy.”

I listened as Cami talked to the guy, and I wondered how close she’d gotten to him. When he closed his eyes, I didn’t hesitate and was thankful Beau was on the same page. When she faltered, he picked her up into his arms and we bolted. The cameras would be on any second now, and we needed to be out of the house and away from this hallway.

Moving quickly, we skirted around the corner and slipped out the side door. Now that I thought about it, it was probably the one Beau had used. It was the staff entrance I’d uncovered the day before and had told Atticus about. A smug expression crossed my lips at having the information first. The van came into view, and we opened the back and hid her in a laundry container. I was thankful she was passed out, as it wouldn’t be a comfortable ride for her.

Together, we pulled the shirts over our heads and discarded the gloves and hats into the bin with her, shutting the doors and jogging to the front. I’d come in with Chad, but the way out was to be the least inconspicuous as possible. It had been my idea to use the laundry service since Atticus had connections with most businesses. It made it easy to borrow a van and uniform from the company the Delgados had a daily pickup scheduled for the uniforms their staff wore.

Beau turned the engine, and we started down the drive. My knee bounced, the anxiety not leaving me yet until we were free. This was always the worst part, being so close to the finish line but not crossing it. This wasn’t one I was willing to fail on.

Beau waved at the guard station, the barrier rising with ease, and I sighed. Once we were clear on the road, I slouched back into the seat as all the adrenaline fled me.

“You were really great back there. I always forget how good you are.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not something I want people to think I’m good at. Not anymore.”

“We made a good team, though.”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

“Are you ever going to stop pushing me away?” he asked.

I turned toward the window, not knowing how to answer. “I’m not good for you, Beau.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one to decide that?”

“You think you can save me?” I chuckled darkly.

“No. I think we can be a team together, fighting our enemies as they rise up.”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t work that way.”

---