Page 168 of Running to You

“Stop it!” Eliza swiveled and got in her friend’s face. “You might be ready to die, but I’m not. My mom is not, and my son is not. So stop it.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Tears streamed from Nicole’s cheeks. “Nothing matters.”

Levi looked up at her, blinking those big eyes. “I don’t wanna die, Mommy. Are we gonna die?”

“No, sweetheart.” She managed a smile for him, kissed him on the forehead. “We’re going to be just fine. We’re getting out of here.”

“Don’t lie to him,” Nicole wailed. “It’s cruel to give him false hope.”

Eliza sighed. “It’s not false hope.” Jon had told her not to say anything, but it was either that or Nicole was going to be so loud that someone would come to check on them. And Eliza couldn’t have that. “There’re men here to rescue us. I just want to let them know where we are.”

Nicole dropped her legs and scooted to the end of the bed. “I knew it. Thanks for the info.” She knocked on the door and called, “It’s me. Let me out.”

What?

No, no, no! Eliza launched across the space and grabbed her friend’s arm. “Don’t. What are you doing?”

Nicole yanked away. “Don’t touch me.”

The door opened, and there was Jed, giving Nicole an expectant look.

“She said there are men here.”

Jed dropped a kiss on her head. “Good girl. We’ll be ready.” He started to pull her out of the room, but Eliza grabbed a fistful of her shirt.

“How could you do this?”

Nicole turned back, peered down her nose like royalty at a beggar. “You’re a brat who can’t figure out where her loyalties lie.”

Eliza stepped back. “This is what you call loyalty, letting a psychopath punch you in the face so you can betray a friend?”

“We were never friends.” She turned to Jed. “She got a spring from the bed. She was trying to tear the wool. Oh, and check for an earpiece. She was definitely talking to somebody.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

“No!” Sam wanted to close his eyes and block out the sounds in his ear. But he had to know.

In the video, Keller glared down at Eliza, eyes filled with rage. “I knew you couldn’t be trusted.”

“Like you can? You’re a liar and a fraud.”

“Eliza, don’t!” But she didn’t hear Sam’s warning.

A loud smack, and the video jumbled and jerked. He’d hit her. Knocked her down.

Levi screamed, “Mommy!”

“It’s okay.” Linda’s voice, but Sam couldn’t see her beyond the dusty floor where Eliza had landed.

“Jon, unmute!”

“Watch your volume.” Jon’s voice was calm, as always. “Everybody, prepare. We’re going in two.”

What was the point? Keller knew they were there. The plan Jon had put together depended on the element of surprise. It was over.

Eliza was hauled to her feet, pulled out of the bedroom. Behind her, Levi screamed, his cries of, “Mommy! Mommy!” interrupted by Linda trying to calm him. A door slammed, and their voices muted, then faded altogether.

They were in the hall now, nearing the end.