I pushed past him, backpedaling. “There’s no time. I need to save her!”
Before he picked one of two choices, to radio to another guard and confirm my story or chase after me, I darted away.
He called after me, but I didn’t slow down once. Sprinting down the sidewalks, I dodged and wove my path further from the Orlov building. Skyscrapers loomed too tall, towering overme and making me claustrophobic. Street peddlers watched me too closely as I ran with panic nipping at my heels. And lights blurred in the distance, all the signs and noise of the city that had been buffered as I stayed with Mikhail in the lap of luxury in his high rise.
I did it.
I ran. I was out. I left it all behind me, but I couldn’t think fast enough for where to go.
My apartment wasn’t an option anymore. I believed the footage Mikhail had been hiding from me. Those thugs had broken in and destroyed the place, ripping cushions, smashing glassware, and upending all drawers. Nothing of importance remained there anyway. Nothing I would miss.
All that mattered was survival now. Without my phone since I left it at Mikhail’s, I hurried through the city the best I could without a map. Reaching the hospital was my only choice. It had to be a safe haven for me to actually get help and get out from under Mikhail’s influence.
I arrived, unsure who I could trust anymore. Someone had to be on my side here. My coworkers. Hell, even the security guard. Someone!
Fatima was at the nurses’ station, and as soon as she saw me running inside, she dropped the tablet she’d been charting on. “Claire? My God. Dr. Donovon!”
I probably looked terrified, dressed casually but with horror in my eyes and dread contorting my expression.
She rushed over to me, setting her hands on my shoulders. “What are you doing back so soon? I thought you were out on your mission over in Africa or something like that.”
I shook my head, licking my lips and feeling parched from the run. “No. I… No.”
“What happened?” Her eyes bugged out, picking up on the fact that I was panicking. “What’s going on?”
“I just need…” I walked, glad for her assistance and propping me up. My legs were shaky as I staggered further into the familiar hallway. “I just need to sit and think for a moment. Water.”
She nodded, urging me toward a room. Before I could claim a seat in a vacant patient room, I turned to find the staff break room for the department instead.
“Claire. Wait. I don’t think you want to go in there right now.”
I frowned, watching her and not following. Sure, my unexpected arrival had thrown her off. Everyone thought I was across the world working on a mission. But her tense expression chilled me. Somethingelsewas wrong around here?
“Jack was talking to a couple of guys earlier and he was, uh, he’s… in the break room.” She winced. “He’s seen better days…”
Jack.I stiffened at the mention of his name. It felt like an eon ago since Mikhail put me on the spot and asked about him. He had to be curious for a reason. And I didn’t want to wade into the middle of anything more dangerous. Jack could let himself be a target. I wouldn’t.
Yet, something pushed me to at least rush through there, to grab a water and maybe find a hoodie or something in the locker space of the break room.
I waved off Fatima, going to the room. She didn’t try to dissuade me again, but I regretted not listening to her.
Opening the door, I entered and sought out Jack. I gasped at the sight of him on a chair, curled over and sporting all kinds of bruises on his face. He closed his eyes and cringed, almost like he wanted the table to be a pillow for his battered head.
Oh, bloody hell!
I spun, getting out of there before he could crack his eyes open and see me.
He’d been beaten!
He’d been talking to more thugs and he’d been left in a ragged mess like this.
Running again, I bolted out of the emergency room. My thoughts spun. My heart galloped in my chest. Air couldn’t fill my lungs fast enough.
Nowhere was safe. I had nowhere to hide.
On the street, I slowed to a walk and moved in a dizzying circle, desperate for a good Samaritan to point the way for me. For a sign to guide me to where I could best survive and get out of this nightmare.
Nowhere was safe.
