Page 40 of Betrayed

She sounded small and defeated as she fought back her tears.

She’s trying so hard to be strong.

I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms and hug her. I’d give anything to tell her this was all just a bad dream. But I couldn’t.

“I’m sorry.” I looked out the window and saw Jack making his way towards us. Not caring that he could hear me, I said, “I swear I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

I ignored Jack as I watched Blake blink back tears. She said thank you as she turned away. Her voice was almost drowned out by the click as she released her seat belt.

Before getting out, I reminded her to ignore Jack if she noticed him.

Blake sat in the back, in the seat closest to the aisle, during her first class. I had to scoot her over so I could sit between her and the door. Not that I minded standing for the ninety minutes, but it would have attracted unwanted attention.

Jack kept me entertained by making random comments as the professor droned on.

Blake was packed up and ready to go before the professor dismissed the class, so we left early. I let Jack know which exit we’d use, then steered her in that direction. She showed some of her earlier sass by rolling her eyes, but followed my lead without a word.

Blake tried to be strong, but fear had driven out most of her fight. I missed her yelling at me for opening her door.

We were crossing the quad when I heard Jack say, “You have a shadow.”

“Copy that,” I answered, stepping closer to Blake. Wanting to look casual, I put an arm around her shoulder and leaned in.

I smiled as I whispered in her ear. “Please don’t pull away; someone is following us.” I felt her stiffen, but to her credit, she didn’t move away from me or freak out.

“Where?” she asked as she started to turn her head.

“Don’t look,” I said, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look up at me. “Jack’s watching him and relaying info. You’re safe.”

“He’s at your five and picking up speed.” Jack’s voice interrupted me. “I’m closing in.”

“Blake, don’t panic, but I need you to do exactly what I say when I say it. Please.”

Fear radiated off her as she nodded. Having memorized the buildings around the quad, I knew there was a bookstore and café up ahead and to the left. If I could get her inside, out of his line of sight, we could disappear without causing a scene.I only need a few seconds. Not wanting to give away our destination, in case he was close enough to hear me, I told Jack my plan in code.

My heart raced, and my breathing sped up.I can’t let anything happen to her.Refusing to let my nerves get the best of me, I ignored my reflexive need to look behind me and focused on my breathing as I led Blake towards the building housing the campus bookstore.

“He’s fifteen yards out and picking up speed. Moving to intercept.”

Jack would take care of the threat, but that didn’t mean we could stop. Just because Jack had only identified one; didn’t mean he was alone.

Shit. They may be leading us in to a trap.

I heard the commotion, in real time and over comms, before I heard Jack say, “Fuck!”

Fuck!

I didn’t need to look to know whatever had happened accomplished two things; it created a scene, capturing everyone’s attention, and left me without backup.Shit.

I heard Jack say, “get off me,” as I urged Blake to walk faster.

“Just keep walking,” I said to Blake with a quick glance behind us. I couldn’t see the guy trailing us as everyone rushed to see what was happening by Jack.

“Shit, I lost my line of sight.” I could hear the frustration in Jack’s voice. I tuned out the sound of Jack untangling himself from the crowd and focused on getting Blake to safety.

I could hear Blake’s heavy breathing as panic set in.

“It’ll be okay, just keep moving and follow my directions.”

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