I ignore the voice. Now is not the time.
Tucking the knife into my pocket, I say, “I’m ready. Whatever you have planned, I’ll come with you, but only if you promise me that you will punish them.”
The corner of his lip curls up into a smile. “If you cut them, I’ll crack out the whip.”
Laughing, I shake my head, and remind myself this is no time for jokes. It’s time to get the hell out of here.
“Help me hide the body,” he says, pointing at the man on the floor.
I grab the man’s legs while Sebastian hoists his arms up, and we drag him toward the chair. There, I pull the curtain until it’s closed. The only thing we can still see are his toes, so I quickly shove those under, too.
“What’s going on in there?” I suddenly hear. It’s the guard outside. Sebastian holds his finger in front of his mouth, telling me to be quiet when I gasp.
“She fell. But don’t worry, I have her. Please get a wheelchair,” Sebastian calls.
“Oh, of course. Right away.”
I hear him scurry off and look at Sebastian, who has a stupid grin on his face.
“What a fool.”
“Nah, he’s not that stupid. You’re just too good at spinning lies.”
He smirks. “Aren’t I?”
I roll my eyes and grab my glass of water to take a last sip before we get out. Sebastian walks to the door, leans his ear against the wood, and listens. It’s quiet for a few seconds. “He’s coming. Go sit down on the couch and pretend you’re sick.”
“Right.” I sit down and lower my eyelids halfway down, sagging into the pillows like a potato.
Just before the man knocks on the door, Sebastian opens the door, staying behind it to hide his disguise.
The man carries in the wheelchair and smiles at me. “Here you go, ma’am.”
He looks around. “Where’s Mister Brand?”
Sebastian slams the door shut and knocks this guy out, too. We hide this body under the curtains as well, and Sebastian administers the same shot he gave the doctor.
“Sit in that wheelchair. When I’m ready, I’ll push you out of here and pretend that I’m taking you back to your room.”
“As my doctor.”
“Right. If anyone sees us, play along.”
“Gotcha.” I nod and sit down in the wheelchair. “But what if they find out?”
“Then we make a run for it.” He steers the wheelchair toward the door. “You might have to use that knife I gave you.”
I gulp at that thought but quickly regain my focus. No time to think about anything. Sebastian’s already wheeling me out of the room, taking it slow so nobody will notice we’re trying to make a run for it. He nods and smiles at passing nurses, and I cough when they look at me. I pretend I’m sick while Sebastian guides me through the halls, into a more secluded part of the hospital, where he finds an escape exit. Of course, it won’t open easily. Surprisingly, a lock that’s identical to the one in Sebastian’s home is right next to the door.
“Hold on.” He leaves me in the chair while he hurries to the door. He puts his thumb on it, and, not so surprisingly, the door opens.
“Going for a smoke?”
I turn my head in shock.
Newman is right behind us—with a gun in his hand.
And it’s aimed straight at Sebastian.
Accompanying song: “Breath of Life” by Florence and the Machine
Sebastian turns and freezes. For a second, nobody says a word. There isn’t even a flinch.
Then Newman fiddles in his pocket.
“Hubert, don’t,” Sebastian says.
Newman laughs, taking a cigar from his pocket. He puts it in his mouth and then lights it, still keeping the gun pointed at Sebastian. “Well, I’d say you’re in a tough spot to make demands.”
“I’m getting her out of here.”
“Not going to happen.” He blows out some smoke in my face. “Such a pretty girl. I can understand why you’d want her all to yourself.”
“Leave. Her. Alone,” Sebastian growls.
“What are you going to do about it?” Newman scoffs. His hand moves toward my face. Creeped out, I stand up from the wheelchair, which rolls back as I step back.
“Oh, look at that … she can walk.” He smiles. “Isn’t that convenient.”
“Don’t you fucking touch her.”
“Oh, and here I thought that you would finally share her.”
“Not a chance.” Sebastian grinds his teeth.
“Are you sure? I mean, I could let you walk … if you let us play with her.” There is a devilish gleam in his eyes that makes my skin crawl.
“Touch her and I’ll fucking end you. Right now.”