Page 81 of The Spider Queen
“All right then.” He looked at me. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because you came to rescue me.”
“Damn straight.”
Hunter shoved my hospital gown under the bed and then picked up the backpack. His fingers laced through mine, and then we were heading for the door. Opening it a crack, he peered out into the hallway.
“It’s clear,” he said. “If we see anyone, act like you’re here visiting a family member.”
We tried to hurry toward the elevator, but my body wasn’t cooperating. Hunter hauled me into his side and helped me stay upright as we glided down the hallway. I hoped my parents and Anita were in the cafeteria. I didn’t want to run from them, see the terror on their faces when I disappeared into the world.
They thought I was broken. Maybe I was free.
The nurses’ station came into view, and the doctor who’d examined me was standing at the counter talking to the brunette nurse.
I buried my head into Hunter’s side, commanded my steps not to falter, and hoped like hell she wouldn’t recognize me.
“Sir?” the nurse called out. “Is everything okay? Is she—”
“Fine,” Hunter yelled back. “Hospitals make my girlfriend anxious. And nauseous. She’s about to—we’re just gonna—”
“Call security,” the doctor shouted at the nurse. “She’s under a psychiatric hold!”
“Run!” Hunter shouted at me, gripping my hand.
We shot toward the elevator, but it wasn’t like it was in the movies, and the doors didn’t magically open to give us an escape. Hunter twisted, hauling me behind him. I stumbled, and he righted me before pushing open the stairwell door, urging me in ahead of him.
He slammed the door shut and leaned his body against it. Hunter reached into his dark jeans pocket and pulled out his car keys. He tossed them at me, but I missed them, and they sailed down the stairs.
“Take my car.”
“Where did you park—”
“Garage. First floor.”
“I don’t have a cell—”
“Spare in my glove box. Drive north. I’ll call you and we’ll pick a place and meet there.”
I frowned. “Why do you have—”
“Later! I’ll tell you everything later.” The door attempted to open, but Hunter shoved his body back against it, his face pleading. “Go, Poppy. Now!”
Chapter 30
I found Hunter’s black Subaru in the corner of the parking garage. After unlocking the car, I wrenched open the door and then collapsed into the driver’s seat, woozy, wondering how the hell I was supposed to drive when I could barely even stand or catch my breath.
But I had to keep it together and focus. There wasn’t a lot of time, so I jammed the key into the ignition and then guided the car out of the parking spot.
It was an hour past sunset and traffic was light. I kept my hands locked on the steering wheel and tried to piece the last few days together.
But how could I process what had occurred?
There was a huge gap in my memory. My cousin had had me committed because she thought I was a danger to myself—and probably to others. And then my parents…they’d banded together, changing my perception of them and their divorce.
Hunter had come for me.
And now I was running like a fugitive.
