Page 141 of With Us

“Same,” I agreed as he left.

There was a knock at the door a moment before a man entered with a wheelchair. “Transport.”

Gathering my bag, I sat in the wheelchair. I zoned out as I tried again to imagine what Theo was going to say while also trying to stay awake. It was only when I saw us going past the transport elevator did I focus on where we were.

“I thought all patients rode on that,” I said.

“Usually, but this one is closer to the exit.”

“But my ride is meeting me up front.”

He pressed the button but didn’t respond.

Something is wrong.

I shifted just slightly, and the man’s large hand covered my shoulder. “You’re not allowed to get up until we’re at your ride,” he stated firmly. “Insurance precaution.”

The man was friendly and relaxed, whistling a bit as we rode the elevator to the ground floor. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but my gut was telling me something was off.

Too soon, the elevator opened and we were right in front of an exit. When he pushed the door open, I saw we were in an alley.

“My ride is on the other side,” I said with a forced laugh. “I can just walk—”

“Shut it,” he said, the kindness gone from his expression. His eyes darted up and down the alley, growing more panicked.

“Missing something?” a familiar voice asked.

The man cursed as Luc stepped out from another doorway indent. Lifting the wheelchair handles and toppling me to the ground, the man tried to take off running. He didn’t get far before he was tackled by Luc.

Luc lifted him up, pulling the guy’s arms back so much it had to be painful.

As I stood, I saw an SUV turn down the alley. It hadn’t even come to a stop before Theo was out and in the guy’s face. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, yet I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

Theo’s eyes were narrowed, his jaw tense as he spoke through gritted teeth. There was a flash of a sadistic smile, so quick I almost missed it.

There was so much coldness in his expression, it sent a shiver down my spine.

“Get in the SUV, gattina,” he said suddenly.

My eyes moved between him, whoever the man was that Luc had, and the SUV. “What?”

“Niall will take you home.”

Only then did I see the older man with the graying red hair waiting for his order.

“But I—” I started before Theo interrupted.

“Go home and rest. I’ll be home soon.”

I looked at the brick building and the guy in Luc’s hold. I remembered Theo’s lies during his confession, only this time I envisioned it with the fake transport man hitting his head on the wall. Tears pricked my eyes.

A weight settled on my chest, pressing hard when I realized something.

Something which cemented the fact I was a bad person with a black aura.

I wasn’t worried about the man. Not as much as I should have been, at least.

I was upset at the thought of Theo going away again.

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