“Is someone picking you up?”
I lift my gaze to the guard. A furrow dents my brow. “Not sure. This wasn’t planned.”
She scoffs. “Is it ever?”
“Good point.” I check the time. It’s just past seven. “There’s someone I can call.”
I dial Sutton’s number. After five rings, her voicemail picks up. I try again and get the same result. Might as well add a text to my plea.
Me: You’re never going to believe this, Sutt. They let me go. I’m free. Are you around?
The plastic rattles in my hand while I wait for a response. Nothing pops up.
The guard must notice a frown drooping my expression. “No answer?”
“Nah, but I’ll keep trying.”
“You can always get an Uber.”
My gut tightens. How low have I dropped? That sounds miserable, but it might be my fastest option. “I’ll give her a few more minutes.”
“Suit yourself. Exit is dead ahead. Can’t miss the sign.” She points forward. “And make sure we don’t see you back.”
I almost chuckle. “Definitely not.”
An invisible barrier appears in front of me. Less than fifty yards to freedom. The urge to pinch myself suddenly prods at me. The possibility of this rescue being real hasn’t quite settled in. I flick my eyes around the room, waiting for someone to drag me under. Only a few random visitors speckle the space.
“What are you waiting for? Off you go,” the guard mutters.
There’s no escort in sight as I shuffle toward the door. Pounding footsteps don’t follow me. The strain that’s been holding my muscles hostage evaporates. I stride out of the front gate with a clear conscience.
The harsh morning sun stings my eyes. I revel in the burn. A splash of vibrant color rushes toward me from the side, a high-pitched whine hammering into my ears. I pivot on my heel just in time to watch Sutton racing at full speed. In the next instant, she launches herself into the air with me as her direct target.
I catch her easily in my arms, clinging on with every fiber inside of me. She latches on with an equal amount of force, my missing piece sliding into place.
I breathe her in, filling my lungs with a fresh dose of everything good. A moan vibrates off me and swirls around her. We’re a spinning mass of clasping fingers and desperate babbling.
Sutton clings to me with the strength of a world champion wrestler. I wheeze, her hold bordering on choking, but press further into the embrace. A furnace of heat spreads throughout my chest. The massive knot in my throat follows right behind.
She peppers kisses all over my face. Eventually she finds my lips, locking us together with a searing brand of passion. Once again, we’re bonded for life. Sutton begins sobbing, her body trembling against mine. Her tears soak into my shirt and I absorb the moisture into my neglected soul.
I spear into her hair, the silky strands sliding through my fingers. “Hey, hey. It’s all right now.”
She shakes her head. “Oh my gosh, Gray. I can’t believe it. You’re out. We’re together.”
I tilt her chin up until she’s looking at me. “How’d you know?”
A wobble twitches the corners of her mouth. “Lance confessed. Not on purpose, or willingly. But that doesn’t matter. I caught his lying ass on camera.”
My grip on her tightens several more degrees. “When?”
“Last night. I caught the whole thing on video.”
I flare my nostrils. “That sounds dangerous and reckless, Sutt.”
“But it wasn’t.”
A vein in my temple throbs. “Sutton Rose, how is that staying smart and safe?”
