Bleeding Edge: Elliot Security (Elliot Security Series Book 2) by Evie Mitchell (short story to read .txt) 📗

casually pushed back from the table, stretching. “You know what? We can figure out the arrangements at Luc’s. It’ll be easier to assess weaknesses at the location.”

Jarrett followed, his face grim, his eyes locked on Em.

We settled her in the car, I slid into the backseat beside her. She curled into herself, sitting flush against the door, looking like she wanted nothing more than to disappear into the leather. Jarrett and Brean were in the front, muttering quietly to each other as I reached for her.

“Keys,” I called, brushing a hand over her back. “Emmie?”

There was nothing, no acknowledgment, no recognition. I didn’t try to pull her back. I didn’t try to force her process. She’d come back to me when she was ready.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come on, Keys. Let’s get you home.”

Chapter Forty-Six

Emmie

I didn’t remember the drive to Luc’s. To be honest, I didn’t remember leaving work. The blankets were enveloping me in a cocoon of warmth as I lay, listening to the sounds of Luc’s house.

There were people in it. Their footsteps and quiet discussions echoed down the hall.

The bedside clock said early afternoon. I didn’t remember being put in bed. Did I sleep? I felt exhausted, my limbs heavy, my brain foggy.

I shoved back the blankets, hauling myself out of bed. I pulled on pants, reaching for a hoodie. I pulled the hood up, padding silently down the hall. I paused just out of eyeline, listening.

“So, they’re ghosts?” Jarrett sounded annoyed, frustrated, angry.

Sawyer answered, his normally jovial tone tight. “Yeah. They’re not dumb. This was planned.”

“This is because of Emmie?”

There was a pause.

“Maybe. It seems…”

“Excessive?” Luc asked.

“Mm,” Sawyer agreed. “She’s one person. I mean, I get sending a few guys over, but all the women and children? Leave your base unprotected? Either they’re dumb, which I don’t believe, or she’s worth more to them than we realised. There’s something else going on.”

“Worth more? How?” Jack asked.

“That’s the question.”

I poked my head around the hall door, catching a glimpse of them in the kitchen. Jarrett, Luc, Sawyer, and Jack were leaning against the benchtops or sitting at Luc’s breakfast bar, mugs in hand.

They were distracted, still thought I was asleep.

This is your chance.

I crept back to the bedroom. As silently as I could, I pulled on shoes. On his bedside table he’d left his wallet and phone. I hesitated for a moment, then snatched the items, shoving them in the pocket of my hoodie.

The bedroom window was one of those old push up wooden frames. It had a flyscreen, but the security screens weren’t due to be installed for another month. I shifted the frame, slowly jiggling it from side-to-side, pausing as it scraped against the wood and metal. Heart pounding in my throat, I strained to hear if I’d been discovered.

Once open, I lifted the screen, gently tossing it outside. I lifted, wedging myself out the small opening, biting my cheek to keep from groaning as the windowsill scratched my exposed back.

Outside, I kept low, moving to the back of the property. Luc’s yard was completely enclosed by new seven-foot fencing. I made my way to his garbage bins, pulling myself up, balancing, then using the extra height to pull myself over.

I dropped down to the neighbour’s yard, letting out an oomph as I landed.

My thigh hurt, my side ached. I ignored both as I moved up towards the street. Using Luc’s phone, I ordered a taxi, hiding in the shrubbery while I waited. It rolled to a stop in the driveway, the driver peered through the windscreen at the giant house.

I hurried down, sliding into the backseat.

“Where to?” The guy asked, eyes meeting mine in the rear vision mirror.

Yeah Em, where are we going?

I hesitated. I didn’t have ID, I didn’t have unlimited money. I had to get to one of my back-up locations.

“Civic bus station please.”

The taxi took off and I ducked in my seat, pulling my hoodie over my face. I couldn’t see any movement from Luc’s house as we drove past.

At the station, I pulled out the wallet, using Luc’s credit card to pay the driver. I headed for the bus stop, buying a ticket to Wollongong. The fifty dollars in Luc’s wallet would be enough to get me through today. I’d work out tomorrow later.

The bus was departing in ten minutes. I sat in the back, looking out the window as passengers slowly boarded, their muted conversations filling the bus interior.

Luc’s mobile buzzed.

I slid my finger across the screen, entering his pin.

Unknown number: It’s Luc, are you safe?

My fingers hovered over the screen, uncertainty and fear warring with my need to reassure him.

Me: Yes.

Luc: Why are you running?

Me: You know why.

Luc: You promised I could come.

Me: I won’t be responsible for you leaving your family. It’s time to let me go.

The bus rumbled to life under me. The driver hit the lever, shutting the door and we were off, swaying down the road. The phone vibrated, lighting with another text.

Luc: I’m your Pikachu. Where you go, I follow.

I closed my eyes, choking back a strangled sob.

Me: Lucien, we’re done.

Luc: We’re getting married.

I fought a hysterical laugh.

Me: I never said yes.

Luc: You never said no either.

Me: I did. Twice. No.

Luc: I don’t believe you. Say it to my face.

My fingers hovered. I needed to remove the SIM card, stop them from tracking me. I had no doubt Sawyer was calling in favours right at this moment.

Me: I’m sorry. This is my battle. I can’t be yours when I’m already theirs.

I hesitated. My fingers typed out the words I wanted to say.

I love you.

I hit delete, erasing the text.

Luc: I’ll find you. I won’t stop.

Me: Goodbye, Lucien.

I turned the mobile off, pulling the back open to reach the battery and SIM inside.

I had no plans to go to Wollongong. This bus made two stops along the way, at Goulburn and Moss Vale. I’d be getting off at Goulburn.

The trip dragged, and every moment felt like a million as