Page 14 of Unchained

Camryn raked her gaze up the length of his tatted-up body. Pale-green scrub pants hung low on his hips. Every surface of his skin bulged with muscle, and tattoos painted his body in a seductive tangle of images and words. The top of her head barely reached his pec. Dangerous. Deadly. And possibly unhinged. Shivers of excitement and apprehension rippled through her, the waves colliding.

He turned to her. His eyes were a piercing blue. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

Dear god, what the hell have I done?

He took the two steps that separated them, clutching her arm. “I mean it. If they come in and find me, they’ll send me off tonight and kill you to silence you.” His vibrant eyes danced with urgency. “You have no idea what they’re involved in.”

Panic made her head whizz. He was right. After what she’d witnessed, she couldn’t be certain they wouldn’t kill her. If everyone who worked on the floor turned a blind eye to Dr. Leonetti’s mistreatment of patients, they’d do the same regarding her sudden disappearance.

But jeez Louise, helping a patient who was capable of murder to escape seemed damn-near fatal.

He shook her arm. “You need to help me, Cam.”

The use of her nickname, so soft on his lips, stalled the anxiety spiraling out of control. She tilted her head. “How? We’re on the seventh floor of the basement for god’s sake. I can’t just lead you to an exit.”

“You need to get me a shirt—scrubs. Please.”

Her gaze scoured the room. Frick, frick, frick. She couldn’t leave him. Couldn’t walk out and call for help either. After getting him the shirt, she could leave. She’d already mentioned she wasn’t well. Yes. That could work.

“All right.” She nodded. “Stay here. And don’t hurt anyone.” The last statement was a plea.

He lifted his hand as if in promise then slid behind the door as she unlocked and opened it. She eased into the hall, and the lock clicked behind her.

Kate flitted past her. “Hey, Camryn. Jen mentioned you’re not feeling good. You look pale. You okay?” She spoke a mile a minute, her lips moving almost as fast as her feet. She pivoted to wait for Camryn’s answer, walking backward at half the pace.

“Uh, kind of. Almost got sick in there. I’ll need to hurry back to administer his sedative. Then I might head home.”

Kate stopped, and concern knitted her brow. “I can finish him for you.” She walked toward the door.

Camryn sidestepped in front of her. “No! No. It’s fine. I just need a quick drink of water. You’ll already be swamped after I leave.”

Kate tilted her head. “Ah, you want another glimpse of all that male yumminess, huh? Don’t blame you.” She winked and sauntered off. “Feel better. See you next week!” she called, waving over her shoulder.

Right. She had three days off after this. Not that it mattered because she wouldn’t be returning. Not after Jen woke up and told them Camryn had let Brooks inject her and didn’t alert anyone when he escaped. She bustled toward the staff room and grabbed a cup of water from the dispenser in case Kate buzzed through. Leaning against the water cooler, she sipped from the waxy-tasting paper cup and took in the room. How would she find an extra scrub top that would fit Brooks? He was bigger than a G.I. Joe. He’d sure as hell raise eyebrows in a shirt too short and tight for him. And there was no way she could check every locker without being noticed.

Her gaze landed on a bin on the floor of the coat closet. Black letters spelled LOST AND FOUND. Kneeling, she rifled through. An old shoe, a hairbrush, a makeup mirror. As she reached the bottom, soft fabric brushed her fingers. Bingo. Pulling out the musty-smelling scrub shirt, she shook it. Big. Definitely men’s. She checked the size—large. He’d probably need an extra large, but this would have to do. She rolled the shirt into a ball, tucked it under her scrubs, then wrapped her arms around her waist. This would support her upset-stomach story. No one paid her any attention as she exited the staff room. Two staff members lingered at the triage station, chatting and laughing. Others bustled in and out of rooms.

She reached room thirty-six and rapped her knuckles on the door. The lock released. She eased the door open then shut it and locked it firmly behind her. She let out a tight breath, and a surge of nausea followed.

Brooks hovered near the door. “Any luck?”

She reached under her shirt and tossed him the ball of material. He shook it out and held it up.

“It’s all I could find.” She bent over, her hand gripping her side.

One smooth, dark eyebrow lifted. “You okay?” He fit the shirt over his head and threaded his arms through. His muscles moved gracefully. Before her panties could get wet as a result of his “yumminess,” Camryn quickly gave her mind a shake. He’s dangerous. Deadly. Those were the things she needed to remember.

“Fine. Just an accessory to a crime.” Sarcasm chomped her words.

“I want you to leave first. Stay close by. When it’s clear for me to get to the stairs unnoticed, rub your ear or something,” he said, clearly unaware of her angst.

She rolled her eyes. “Are you serious? I just told Kate I’m going home.” Her voice was raspy. “I can’t just hang out in the hallway doing nothing.”

He lifted a shoulder. “Pretend you’re on a call.”

“No reception down here.”

“Then just hang out at the nurse’s station. I’ll crack the door and wait for your signal.”

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