He deserved my anger.
“I’m sorry that your friend said what he said. That must have hurt your feelings.”
I glared at him. That wasnota sincere apology, or even anactualapology for that matter. But I supposed it was as close as I would get considering how Cade was.
“And…” I said, imploring him to come closer to true atonement.
“And…you shouldn’t have been a brat and thrown our dishware. I’m going to punish you tomorrow for doing it. You are long overdue. It will hurt, and you will apologize,” he said, just as controlling and bossy as usual.
So much for giving me the “more” he resolved to give.
I smiled saccharinely at him, knowing that I would not be here tomorrow for him to do just that.
“But…” he continued unexpectedly, “Maybe afterwards we can take a trip off base. There’s a market in the city that sells plants. We can get you a new cactus. There's also an arts and craft store nearby. We can pick out a few things to keep you busy. Ryker will be home with you in the morning while I am on duty, but we can go when my shift’s over in the late afternoon.”
I stared at him, shocked.There it was.He was actually trying to make amends. Captain Cade Green felt bad for hurting his omega’s feelings, and this was his way of apologizing.
Too bad it was too little too late.
My heart crumbled thinking of what could have been had he only started there.
“Okay. I would like that,” I responded quietly.
“Alright, good. Take these,” he said, holding out a few Tylenol in one hand and a glass of water in his other. “You still have a high fever. If it doesn’t break by tomorrow, I’m taking you to Medical. Are you feeling sick? Any other symptoms I should know about?”
I shook my head from side to side hurriedly, just wanting our conversation to end so he would go to bed and I could continue with my escape plan.
He held the glass to my lips for me to drink as I swallowed the pills.
“Alright, I’m down the hall if you need anything. Good night, Rowan.”
On his way our of the room, his hand reached out to touch the copy of Treasure Island, which sent my panic skyrocketing. He was going to find the keycard if he picked up the book. Instead of picking it up, he simply rested his hand on it for a moment, lost in thought, before turning and leaving without another word. I heard his footsteps moving away from the common space, relieved that he was going to bed. Killian had left the kitchen at some point earlier, and it was finally quiet.
I waited a long time after he left, needing to be sure that everyone had gone to sleep, before I changed into some clothes.I had nothing to take with me, but felt sentimentally compelled to bring Treasure Island, telling myself that it helped conceal the keycard, but knowing it was more than that. Cade’s whiskey scent lingered on it, so I brought the book to my face and breathed it in for comfort.
“You can do this.”
I pulled back the curtains, looking out the window to the deserted courtyard, which was once bustling. It was extremely late, and in the darkness I hoped to make it off the base unnoticed. Once I was in the city, I planned to find a rideshare that would bring me home. I could probably borrow someone’s phone to order one. The city didn’t sleep, so I knew there would be people lingering on the streets. Arca didn’t know where I lived in No-Man’s-Land, so I would be safe, as long as I could get there. I didn’t have any money on me, but there was cash in the cottage to pay the driver. I steeled myself, committing to my plan as I carefully turned the doorknob.
It was now or never.
Peeking through the crack in the door, I opened it silently. It was pitch black in the common space. With only dim light emanating from the blue power button on the coffee machine that stayed permanently lit. I waited to give my eyes time to adjust to the darkness, so I wouldn’t accidentally run into a chair and send alarm bells ringing. Their hearing was impeccable, especially Talon’s, and I doubted sleep would prevent them from being alerted if I made any noise at all.
When my vision acclimated, I started my careful journey through the living room and kitchen. I held my breath, clutching Treasure Island, too nervous even to breathe. It was only a short walk to the front door, but it felt like an eternity. When I finally reached the door, I turned the deadlock as softly as I could. Thekeycard granted access from the outside, but I didn’t need to use it to leave. It would be required to open the stairwell door or elevator though.
Trying the handle, I said a desperate and silent prayer that there wasn’t a group of soldiers lingering in the hallway just outside. I had heard no noise and knew it would likely be desolate at this time of night. Still, my luck wasn’t great, frankly.
As I opened the door, light spilled into the apartment from the hallway’s fluorescent overheads. I peeked out, noting the coast was clear. It wouldn’t be for long, so as quickly as I could, I slipped from the apartment, closing the door silently behind me.
The bright lights jarred my vision, which had grown accustomed to the dark, and it took me a moment to orient myself toward the stairwell. Its large red neon sign brightly illuminated my path and beckoned me towards it. Although I hadn’t seen where it led, I felt pretty confident that it would exit somewhere in the courtyard.
A large parking lot sat beyond the courtyard, with a manned station and traffic barrier, which allowed entry on and off the base. If I stayed low, I could pass right by the guard’s tiny glass box without him seeing me. I doubted they were on alert for people leaving the compound.
I checked the glass window, making sure no one was in the stairwell. The elevator down the hall dinged and lit up, telling me that someone was about to get off at our floor.Shit,I needed to hurry!
I flipped through the pages of the book, finding the keycard and swiping it quickly through the reader. A loud buzz sounded, and the light turned green, just as the elevator doors opened. I pulled the heavy door frantically, squeezing my way throughit when the opening was just large enough. I hoped desperately that whoever had been in the elevator hadn’t seen me.
My feet quickly descended the cement stairs. The only noise I heard was my erratic heartbeat and soft steps, but I remained on high alert. I went down one flight and then two. I suddenly found myself on the ground level, in view of an exit sign glowing above the exterior courtyard door.
