I know better than that. I heard what he almost said in a snide tone. Only a person who responds like that has great pride in what they do. This man knows it by heart because he created it. That means he can give me exactly what I want and need.
I watch as he finishes writing and straightens his arm out to hand it to me. The correct formula dangles from his fingertips as he stares at the desk, his jaw tight.
“Take it and go,” he grits, not facing me.
I pull the paper from his grasp and slip it into the pocket of his lab coat. His brows draw together in confusion as I smile at him. He’s a smart man. It doesn’t take but a few seconds before he realizes my plan, and he shakes his head furiously.
“I can’t leave you behind. You’ll tell them I’m here, and I’ll get caught before I’m off the property. Plus,” I tap my temple and try not to laugh, “you have everything I need right here.” I step behind him and put the gun to the back of his head. “Start walking and be quiet. If we’re caught, I’ll shoot you in the fucking head.”
He peeks out the door and looks around. Taking a step, he moves in the opposite direction of the meeting room. “The exit to the parking lot is at the end of the hall,” he whispers.
I nod and check over my shoulder, watching for anyone to exit the room. We only make it a couple of rooms down before we hear someone say, “I’m going to see what’s taking Joseph so long.”
I reach for the doorknob right next to us and open the it. I push him inside and jump through before I can be seen. Shutting it quickly, I turn around and lean against it listening. Noise comes from under a different door, and I turn in that direction. I’m confused when I see a toilet next me.
What the hell people? How many secret fucking entrances are in this place?
I point to the door, and Joseph backs up against itshaking his head.
“We can’t go in there,” he whispers.
“We can’t go back there,” I grind out. “Go!”
“No,” he says a little louder.
My face twists in anger and desperation as I grab his throat and squeeze. His eyes bulge as he gasps for air. “Move. Your. Ass.”
He nods the best he can with my hand wrapped around his neck. I let go, and he rubs his throat as he turns toward the door. Gripping the knob, he turns it and pulls the it open. A TV commercial fills the silence as he steps into the room, blocking my view.
“Joseph!” a female voice gasps. “You scared me.”
My heart double-thumps at the sound. I know that voice. How the hell did she get here? How does she know any of these people? This little adventure ended up better than I could have ever imagined. Two people for the price of entry into this place. Makes my dick hard thinking about it.
“Sorry, wasn’t my intention.”
He waves his hand behind his back as if he wants me to stay behind him and out of sight.
Not gonna happen, buddy. I’m taking her too.
“Cash send you to check in on me?” she huffs in aggravation.
Cash. That motherfucker. My teeth grind hearing hisname. I should have known. I should have fucking known he was behind all of this when he showed up out of nowhere. They did know about me. They were trying to find out what I was doing. That bitch found the formula and handed me over on a silver platter.
“Yeah,” Joseph chuckles nervously. “He wants you to go to his office. He’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Oh, I thought this was his office.” Hazel stands up slowly and turns the TV off. I move to stay in Joseph’s shadow. “Where is his office?”
“Two doors down. You can’t miss it. It has his name on the door.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I can’t let her get away. This is my chance to finish what I’ve started. I push Joseph out of the way as she walks to the door. He tries to hold onto me, but I headbutt his nose. The yelp he lets out startles Hazel, and she turns to see what it was. I get to her just in time and hit her in the back of the head with my gun, knocking her out.
“What did you do that for?” Joseph says in shock, holding his nose. “We could’ve left, and she would’ve never known you were here!”
I point the gun at him, and he shuts up. “Pick her up. She’s going with us.”
The expression Joseph gives me makes me want to knock him out, too, but I need his help getting her out of here. He checks her head before pulling her body off thefloor. Looks like he won’t be able to carry her alone. I quickly strip out of the stupid jumpsuit and rid myself of the mask, leaving them on the floor. Wrapping my gun arm around her, I poke it in Joseph’s ribs as I pull her arm around my shoulder.
