Chapter 40
LARISSA
“IT’S LOOKING LIKE a nasty case of pneumonia, sweetie,” the clinic nurse delivers in verdict to me as I idle on the bed, lips wrapped around a nebulizer tube.
“The doctor will be in shortly to go over your tests and chest X-ray before we schedule transfer and admission to the hospital. So, you might want to make yourself more comfortable.”
Pulling the tube out, I use the first full breath I’ve been able to take since I got here to voice my objection. “I only need some medication.”
“You’re dehydrated, and though that IV should help, you’re also malnourished and extremely sick, and will need a few days of observed medical stay at minimum. But we’ll make sure you get into the right hands.”
Knowing arguing is pointless, I nod to pacify her, rewrapping my lips around the tube to ease the tightness in my chest as my eyes dart to the cheap clock behind her.
Every tick more agonizing than the last. My anxiety ramping as my hopes dwindle that the Hail Mary call I was able to make might go unanswered.
It’s when unmistakable sounds ring out, echoing my answer back to me, that my blood goes cold.
Gunfire.
On my feet just after the sound registers, I jerk out my IV as the nurse cowers, screaming for me to do the same and take cover.
Pulling the Beretta from my jeans, I stalk straight in the direction of the fleeing staff.
Ears perked for more direction, it’s the panicked expression of a straggler glancing toward an EXIT sign of a stairwell door that has me running toward it.
Bursting through the door a pounding heartbeat later, dread shrouds me wholly as I take in the face of the man lying lifelessly at my feet.
Blood soaking his T-shirt and pooling on the floor beneath him as I lift my gaze to the man standing opposite me, his arctic eyes sweeping me as he slowly lowers his gun.
“What in the fuck have you done?”