Page 73 of Gideon

“From what?”

“I have no idea. I’m not a doctor. Tell Mr. Fairfax that she’s been throwing up. We’ve cleaned her up, but unless he wants to deal with more vomit, he should let her rest tonight.”

The man sighed. “Fine. Whatever.”

Once the door closed again, Nikki rested her forehead on her hands and breathed again. “Thank you, God,” she whispered before scooting out from under the bed. “Thank you for doing that,” she said to Camila, who still sat on her bed, watching the door.

“I didn’t do it for you.”

“I know, but I’m still grateful.”

Camila grunted, then climbed down and went to Isabel’s bed, pulling a box from underneath. “Isabel, you should go.”

“I can’t,” she said as Camila pulled a pile of clothes from the box and rested them in her arms. “I can’t go. When they find out I’m gone, you’ll all suffer for it.”

“We’ll say you snuck out in the night. We knew nothing about it.”

“You know that won’t matter. He’ll be furious.”

“After what he did to you, I’ll take my chances. You’re getting the opportunity we have all dreamed of. Go.”

“Is everyone here willing to go along with that plan?” Nikki said. “It will only work if no one tells.”

Camila turned on her. “You want to argue with me about it now?”

“I’m sorry, I?—”

“The only reason I’m trusting her with you is because I trust Fairfax less than anyone else. If Isabel is going to survive, she needs to get away from this place.”

“If there’s anything we can do to help the rest of you, we will,” Nikki said. “We’ll do what we can.”

Camila shook her head in defiance. She didn’t expect any favors to come her way. “Go.” She pushed Isabel toward the window. “I will find some happiness knowing one of us got away.”

Isabel embraced her friend. “Thank you.”

Nikki led the way back to the window, and the two women climbed out.

Isabel scrambled behind Nikki when she saw Gideon.

“He’s a friend,” Nikki said. “He’s the reason we could save you. Quickly, we have to get you to of here.”

Isabel took one last look at the building, then took Nikki’s hand as they raced for the cover of the trees.

“Stay put for a second,” Gideon said when they were safe. “I want to make sure we’re clear.”

“He’ll hurt them,” Isabel said softly. “Even if they say they don’t know anything about it.”

“Why?” Nikki said.

“Because he’s cruel, and because he knows that they would help me if given the opportunity. He knows the good in their hearts, and he doesn’t like it.”

“What will he do?” Gideon asked.

“Beat them.”

“Do you think he’d kill anyone?”

She shrugged. “I don’t think he has before, but the beatings have always been enough.” She wiped her hand under her nose as she sniffed back tears. “I didn’t know.”

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