Page 91 of Hidden Trial

“Philippe, can you lock her in one of the rooms upstairs while I clean up everything down here? Make sure she’s comfortable. Don’t mistreat her. At least not yet. I’m still undecided.”

Philippe pulled a gun and held it to her head, pushing into her temple as he took charge of her. He didn’t speak, just shoved her up the stairs, pressing the gun into her back as they went.

At the end of the hall, he opened the door and pushed her inside.

She ran to the window and scanned the yard outside, looking for any sign of Will. The thought of him being shot and dragged into a ditch somewhere sent a wave of debilitating fear through her body. With all those men with guns, it would take a miracle for him to get out of there alive.

And her sister…She was about to lose so much. If she was lucky, Antonio would simply shoot her like the others, but she had a feeling he wanted her to suffer.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she said, tipping against the wall before sliding to the floor. She had always remembered a sense of bravery when she recalled saving those girls in Venezuela, but now she realized it had been only fear that had plagued her then.

She dropped her head into her hands and sobbed.

* * *

Will ignored the blood dripping down his arm. He had no time for an injury. A guard rushed passed him, and he jumped out, wrapping his arm around the man’s neck and pulling him into the bushes. He held him tightly until the thrashing stopped, then relieved him of his weapon.

Somehow, Will had remained alive, diving through the bushes to get out of the path of bullets. Moving through the hedges meant he’d avoided capture so far, but it wouldn’t last long.

Not only had he let Charlotte down, but Maddy was in danger, and he had no way to warn her if she was still alive. But Antonio would have had someone at the hospital already. It’s what Will would have done.

He squeezed his eyes shut.God, I know we haven’t talked properly in a while, and I know I act like I don’t need you, but I’m an idiot. I need you now. I don’t know how, but you have to save Maddy. Please. And Charlie. Save Charlie. You can take me. But save them.

He slipped along the edge of the house and saw an exposed area of the stone wall at the edge of the property. It was too high to jump, but he had no other way to escape and the guards would find him soon. Either he learned how to fly or he was a dead man.

Sprinting from his hiding place, he darted across the yard, drawing fire. He fired back, charging toward the wall.

He’d jump and make it or not. That was up to God.

Chapter21

Peter had been sittingin the waiting room for hours. He’d almost left to go back to his hotel twice, but as soon as he started toward the exit, God stopped him.

His phone buzzed with a text message. It was Jemi.

Is everything okay over there?

I don’t think so. I’m glued to the hospital, but I haven’t figured out why yet.

I was sleeping. I think God woke me up. I’m on my knees praying.

Do you think that’s a good idea?

I’m fine. Be careful, but know that God is with you.

* * *

Peter stood, sat, then stood again before heading to Maddy’s room. When he turned into her hall, a man was approaching from the other direction with a bunch of balloons bumping behind him as he hurried forward. He didn’t look like the balloon type.

Peter reached the room first but continued down the hall, passing the man. He nodded with a smile. The guy didn’t smile back.

After a couple more steps, Peter turned as the balloons disappeared into Maddy’s room.

“Thanks for the heads up,” he said to God before pulling his weapon and racing to the door.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he said to the man, who had dropped the balloons in exchange for a gun.

At Peter’s words, the man turned, ready to fire, but Peter shot first.

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