38. Chapter Thirty-Eight Lakey #2
I turned back to my filing cabinet, pulling out files. Some were labeled with a different letter. Some had numerous numbers, like Rose's brand. There were four with single-number, single-letter identifiers, and then two folders labeled X and Y with nothing in them.
"Ugh, mother fuck—"
Cam's voice cut through. "Found it." He held up a thick binder labeled 'Relocation Schedule.'
I was at his side in an instant, peering over his shoulder as he flipped through the pages.
"There," I breathed, tapping the page. "Janine Almine. Transferred to... fuck me, they've got her in some place called 'The Crucible.' What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
A chill ran down my spine as I read the details. Whatever this "Crucible" was, it didn't sound like a day spa. I glanced at Cam. Another buzz sounded nearby.
"We need to move," I said quietly, all pretense of playfulness gone. "Something tells me we don't want to stick around long enough to find out what happens if we get caught here."
We all hastily shoved documents into our bags. My skin prickled, danger closing in. Cam nodded, holding a finger up by his side to indicate to wait.
"We need to bounce," I hissed. "Like, five minutes ago."
Kyle was still fiddling with a computer, fingers flying over the keys. I wanted to grab him by the collar and drag his ass out, but he was three times my weight and could throw me into the ceiling.
"Almost done," he muttered, sweat beading on his forehead.
I paced the room. Every shadow hid a threat, every distant sound a harbinger of discovery. Cam stood by the door, his massive frame blocking most of the view into the hallway.
Just as I was about to lose my shit, a sharp beep cut through the silence. Kyle's head snapped up.
"Fuck," he breathed. "We triggered something. Fuck, fuck. I just need ten more seconds and I'll have their entire hard drive on my phone." He looked towards Cam who was now watching out the windows, gun drawn.
The lights flickered, casting eerie shadows across the sterile walls. Adrenaline surged through me.
"Time to go," I said, grabbing Kyle by the arm just as a small beep sounded, yanking hard enough that he had no choice but to let go of the keyboard.
We burst into the hallway, Cam taking point as Kyle barked directions. The corridors all looked the same, stark white and clean. A fucked-up maze designed by a sadist with a hard-on for minimalism.
"Left here," Kyle gasped. "Then two rights and—"
He was cut off by the wail of an alarm. Red lights began flashing, turning the pristine hallways into a nightmare.
"Fuck me sideways," I said, picking up the pace. My mind raced, trying to recall the way back. But in the chaos and flashing lights, everything was distorted.
Kyle led us down another hall when I heard Rose yelp. Looking back, Sarah was helping her up and motioning for us to keep going. Heavy footsteps echoed behind us, growing closer. My chest constricted, fear and exhilaration in equal measure.
As I was readying my gun, Rose flew by me, running flat out.
Then she skidded to a halt in front of me, eyes wide with panic. Of all the times to have a meltdown.
"I can't... I can't do this," she whimpered, trembling.
I was about to grab her by the scruff and drag her along when Sarah stepped in, her voice steady despite the chaos.
"Rose, look at me. You've made it this far. You're stronger than you think. We need you with us, okay? Don't falter now. Remember the garden? Go back there and keep putting one foot in front of the other. You are doing so well, Rose. Come on, back to the garden."
Rose's eyes cleared, determination replacing the fear. The switch flipped in real time. Huh. Maybe there was more to this trauma shit than I'd given credit for.
We pressed on, the sound of pursuit growing louder. Kyle motioned us towards a thin door, opening it and ushering us in before quietly closing it. We huddled there, barely daring to breathe as a group of guards thundered past, shouting in a language I didn't recognize.
Cam's body was tense beside me, his eyes scanning for threats.
Then the footsteps outside went silent and he relaxed.
He looked down at me and smirked before bending and kissing me, pulling my bottom lip with his teeth.
If we weren't in front of an audience, I'd have fucked him right then.
Probably would have let him have his way with me even with an audience.
It was just a bit too cramped. Also, the guards.
They were probably more of an issue, really.
"Clear," Kyle whispered. "Let's move."
The exit opened ahead. Sarah grabbed Rose and they made a break for it, with Cam and me hot on their heels. Kyle brought up the rear.
The stale, antiseptic air gave way to the crisp night breeze as we burst through the exit. My lungs burned, greedily sucking in fresh air. Freedom never tasted so good.
"Move your asses!" Kyle hissed, sprinting towards the treeline. "Everyone in the SUV, fuck the sedan."
I didn't need to be told twice. My feet pounded against the damp earth. The weight of my bag full of stolen files pressed against my chest, a reminder of why we were here. For Janine. For answers.
As we ran, I kept Cam in my peripheral vision. His jaw was set, eyes focused ahead, but I knew he was hyper-aware of every movement around us. My sexy demon. He grounded me, made me push harder, go faster.
We reached the SUV, piling in with all the grace of a herd of drunk elephants. Kyle gunned the engine, tires squealing as we peeled away. Once we were a safe distance out, he pulled over into a secluded spot. The silence in the car was deafening, broken only by our ragged breathing.
I held onto my backpack, my fingers trembling slightly, turning white from the force of my grip. Not from fear, but from what we'd just done. What we'd seen.
"Jesus Christ," Sarah muttered. "Those kids... those babies..."
I closed my eyes, trying to block out the images of tiny bodies floating in tanks. It was fucked up, even by my standards.
"We got what we came for," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "Now we find Janine and do what we gotta do."
Kyle's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. Something in his gaze I couldn't quite read. Respect? Wariness? Whatever it was, I knew we weren't done sizing each other up.
As the others started discussing our next move, I leaned into Cam, drawing strength from his solid presence. His arm came around me, his lips pressing against my head.
I turned my face upwards. "What's your read on Kyle? He didn't seem fazed by the bag babies. Doesn't feel like I trust him yet."
Cam's dark eyes glittered. "Trust? That's a strong word, sweetheart.
But he's smart, resourceful, and hasn't done anything to show us he doesn't deserve it.
Let's give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
He probably saw some fucked shit in his lifetime.
Bag babies might just be another thing, ya know? "
I nodded, my fingers tracing the C.A. tattoo on my wrist. Kyle was an unknown, and I fucking hated unknowns.
They had a nasty habit of blowing up in your face when you least expected it.
I'd lived a life of variables and that's why we'd kept to ourselves until now.
Sure, he made good on one promise, but would he on the rest?
Sarah was alright, as pissed as I was at her.
Rose was basically a sparrow with a broken wing.
But Kyle... either Kyle was genuine and time would tell, or he was in deep undercover mode trying to stir shit up.
"We need to stay on our toes," I murmured, watching Kyle's reflection in the side mirror. "One wrong move, or he stands in our way..."
Cam chuckled, biting at the top of my earlobe. "Yep." He ran his fingertip lightly over my throat before grabbing my hand and pressing a kiss into my palm.
"Everyone feeling good? Can we head out now?" Rose asked, fiddling with her gun. "I really just want to get out of here. Anywhere. Just far, far from this place."
I leaned across, taking the gun from her and pushing the safety on. "Yeah, Kyle, let's hit the road. I'm starvin'."