Chapter Twelve
“I’m dying here, how much longer?” Liv blurted into the cell phone.
This waiting game was killing her. She could only imagine what her lip looked like, she thought, as the taste of copper filled her mouth. She could hear Cassie typing away on the other end of the phone. Liv had left her friend at her house to dog-sit Milo since she had no idea how long this night might last.
“Not much longer,” came her friend’s reply. “Are the exterior lights still on around the building?”
Liv glanced to the front area of PRL. It was almost eleven and was pitch black except for the scattered spotlights accenting trees, a metal sculpture along the sidewalk, as well as, the double doors at the entrance.
“Yes,” she answered as she continued watching from the RV in the parking lot.
She still couldn’t believe she was sitting behind the wheel of the vast monstrosity. She had driven it around for the previous few hours, adjusting to driving the beast. Long as she didn’t need to back up, turn, or parallel park, she was golden. Straight ahead was her mission for this venture.
Bart had come through once again when she realized she would need something to carry all her passengers after the rescue. His list of connections was never-ending, and after he had made a quick call, he’d rented an RV in the next breath. Feeling doubly-efficient for covering her bases, she could only hope and pray the shifters in the lab were alive because from what she had seen, it was doubtful. Shaking off those negative thoughts, she focused on the task ahead.
Their plan was going to work. Failure wasn’t an option.
“Okay, as soon as you see them go off, that’s your cue. I don’t know for sure how long you will have, but hopefully, it will be plenty of time for you to get in and do what you need to do. Did you remember a flashlight?” Cassie asked.
Cassie was another friend Liv was eternally grateful to have. She was the mastermind behind this electronic override. Liv didn’t know the first thing about hacking into someone’s computer, let alone, shutting down a corporation’s security system. But Cassie fiddled around with Liv’s laptop and her work files, and, half an hour later felt confident she could get in and do the job. Liv was very impressed and changed her nickname from heartbreaker to infiltrator.
“Check.” Liv knew once the power was shut down, it would be impossible to maneuver through the building without it.
“Shouldn’t be much longer now. Please call me as soon as you’re on your way to Bart’s property. Be careful, love ya.”
“I will. Love you, too,” she replied then ended the call.
Nervousness assailed, and her hands began shaking uncontrollably. What was she thinking? Why had she freely offered to do this? So many things could go wrong, and a lot of people could die, including herself.
Fisting her hands, she took several deep breaths. She could not lose her shit now. This was it, her only opportunity. Lawson was counting on her, and she refused to let him down.
Looking down, she chuckled over her getup. She would pass for a cat burglar. Unsure of proper dress for breaking and entering, she had gone for the black-from-head-to-toe approach. Sneakers, jeans, and tank top, all black. Even donned a black baseball cap, making her feel like a total gangster. The only problem was she was so scared she thought she might hurl.
Opening the driver door, she stepped down from the RV, placing her cell phone in her back pocket while tightening her grip on the flashlight. Come on, lights. Go out, she thought, as she bounced on the heels of her feet. Adrenaline pumped through her system as her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her throat.
Suddenly, the area around the building went black as the night sky. Cue to run, she told herself, but her feet remained cemented in place. After several attempts, she finally managed to force movement and took a few steps. Her body responded with another jolt of anxious energy. Sprinting to the entrance, she almost turned around to go back and grab her entry key then remembered she should be able to open the door without it.
Pulling the handle when she reached the glass door, it gave way and opened. So far, so good.
As she stepped inside, blackness assailed her. She didn’t realize it would be this dark. She couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face. Willing her panic down, she pushed the button on the flashlight, her hands shook as a beam of white light blasted a pathway down the hall. Sweat dripped down her spine, and a hoard of worms came to life in her stomach.
As she headed straight for Lawson’s room, she listened for any unusual sounds. Nothing. It was eerily quiet in the building, and she hoped that was a good thing. This late at night there should only be the security guard, or guards, on duty, and Lawson would detain whoever tried to prevent them from leaving.
When she opened the door to the hallway leading to his room and shined her flashlight, she was surprised to see his illuminated frame standing several yards in front of her. Putting a hand across his eyes, he whispered, “Liv, is that you?”
* * *
As soon as the lighted keypad on the cuff went blank, Lawson knew the escape plan was underway. Popping the metal bracelets from his wrists, he rubbed his skin. He’d been wearing them so long there was a permanent indentation, and he wondered if it would ever go away.
Noise in the hallway had him on his feet and running from his room. It was pitch black, but his enhanced vision could see fine until bright light blinded him. Lemony sugar tickled his nostrils, and he shielded his eyes, whispering, “Liv, is that you?”
She lowered the beam of light, and he barely recognized her, dressed all in black and long red hair shoved up into a baseball cap.
Moments later she was in his arms and stretching on tiptoe as her lips quickly found his in a searing kiss that left him breathless. The kiss annihilated every coherent thought, and he got lost in the moment. The connection he felt to her was undeniable. Lips so warm and soft he wanted to devour them.
A loud boom echoed through the hallway, startling them. Lawson pulled away, searching for the source of the sound. She pointed her flashlight in all directions, but he saw nothing. “Come with me,” she instructed, pulling him along behind her.
She ran to the room next to his and opened the door. A quick flash of light through the space told them it was empty. Same with the next room. And the next.
Confused, she grabbed his hand again, “Let’s see if they’re in the lab.” When they reached the door, she turned the handle. “What the hell! It’s locked. How can it be locked?”
“Move. Let me see if I can get through,” Lawson ordered and wrapped a hand around Liv’s waist, moving her to the side and out of his way. Taking a few backward steps, Lawson rushed forward, throwing his shoulder against the steel door. It didn’t budge. He stepped back again, this time lunging with his foot to the panel. Nothing. It didn’t help that he was barefoot.
“I’ll be right back. I want to check the other rooms,” Liv announced, leaving him to continue the assault on the door. Every blow he delivered sounded like a stick of dynamite going off, and he could feel the vibration of the impact, but the door remained solid.
Suddenly, he heard Liv’s panicked scream. “Lawson, come here! Quick!” Running to the end of the hallway, he froze at the sight that greeted him. In the corner, a man curled in a ball looked up, eyes reflecting in the darkness. He was a shifter.
Moments later, recognition sparked, and the man jumped to his feet. “I thought I was the only one left alive. What’s going on?” the man asked. Lawson could tell he was malnourished, but, otherwise, seemed in decent physical shape.
“We’re getting out of here, now! We’re running out of time,” Liv yelled, grabbing Lawson’s hand and leading them to a section he had never seen. He hated leaving the others behind if there were others, but she had told him there would be limited time to get out of the building.
As the three stepped into a large hall, a piercing whistle blared through his eardrums. “Stop right there! What do you think you’re doing?” a security guard shouted as he appeared from doorway to the hall, pointing his flashlight in their direction. In the next second, he pulled a revolver, pointing it towards them. “Don’t take another step!”
Lawson recognized him. He was one of the night guards for PRL. He locked eyes with Lawson. They had discussed the probability of someone trying to stop their escape. The last thing he wanted was to kill someone, but he wasn’t willing to negotiate. They were leaving this fucking place, no matter what.
“I don’t want to hurt you. Step aside, and we’ll be on our way,” Lawson replied calmly.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. You three need to return to your cells and wait until the power comes back on. Jim is on his way now,” the guard answered, stepping a few feet closer.
Lawson looked to the shifter then to Liv who gave him a quizzical look. The guard assumed Liv was a male with her hair crammed inside the hat. As for Jim, that piece of shit had best stay the fuck away because that was a male Lawson was itching to pummel.
“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. I do not want to hurt you,” Lawson relayed, shoving Liv behind his back to protect her. He stalked towards the guard while Liv and the other shifter brought up the rear.
A loud pop echoed, and Lawson felt a sharp sting on his arm. The fucker shot him. Rage built and he knew this wasn’t going to be peaceful. The male was about to feel his wrath. He took off running towards him and another round echoed. Pain lanced through his leg, and he fell to his knee. He heard Liv scream but ignored it, hopping to his feet before she reached him. In moments, he was on guard, right fist connecting his jaw. The security officer went down faster than an anchor thrown over a boat, landing with a loud thud.
Liv ran to his side, shining her flashlight on the guard. He was out cold but Lawson could tell he was breathing. She shined the light to Lawson next. “Are you okay? You’re bleeding badly.”
“I’m fine. Let’s get the fuck out of here!” Nodding, she took off, and the two males followed as they hauled ass to the exit.
Bursting from the building into the warm night air, Lawson froze. He couldn’t remember the last time he had smelled the fresh air. Crisp and clean, it energized his wolf, like nothing else. To be outdoors roused his beast. Closing his eyes and tilting back his head, he breathed deeply. It was then he picked up other scents. Fresh cut grass, nearby honeysuckle, the asphalt parking lot, and even pollution in the air.
He welcomed it all.
It was the scent of freedom.
“Is everything okay? Maybe I should take you to the doctor,” Liz offered, breaking his meditative state. Opening his eyes, he lowered his head and met her sparkling green eyes.
“Do you have any idea how incredible fresh air smells? I didn’t think I would ever feel it against my skin again,” he explained.
Walking to him, Liv wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him tightly. “You are free,” she muttered.
“Because of you,” he replied, pulling her against his chest. He could feel the rapid beat of her heart as it matched his own. This human female had done the impossible, rescuing him from his eternal hell and he would be forever indebted to her.
A throat clearing snagged his attention. “Uh, not that I don’t appreciate the fresh air, too, but are we leaving, because, if not, my ass is outta here.” It was the shifter, and when Lawson glanced his way, he was standing there, arms turned upwards in question.
Liv chuckled, “I agree. We need to go before Jim arrives,” she directed as she led them to a large vehicle in the parking lot.
“Is this yours?” Lawson asked and one of his eyebrows lifted. The vehicle was an awfully powerful machine for such a small female.
“No, it’s a rental,” she responded as she climbed into the driver’s seat. Lawson and the other male stepped up and took their seats, Lawson beside her on the passenger side.
“Ever driven one of these before?” the male interjected from behind Liv, fastening his seat belt. He looked worried, and Lawson couldn’t help but laugh, it wasn’t as if the male had a better option.
“Yeah, no sweat,” Liv answered, but Lawson saw her chewing on her lip, something he noticed she did when she was nervous. He laughed again. Wouldn’t that be his fucking luck? Escape prison only to be killed in a car crash.