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Okay, here’s to that whole blindly following Josh anywhere theory. Because that’s exactly what I do. I don’t question him any further. I simply grip his hand, like it’s the only thing keeping me grounded, and let him lead me to God only knows where.
He cracks open a heavy steel door, peeking inside before pulling me in behind him. Holding his finger up to his lips, he gestures for me to be quiet. We then make our way down flight after flight of stairs. By around the tenth flight, I’m having a hard time keeping up with him. My hip is aching so badly I just want to crumble to the floor.
I can’t though. I have to push through the pain, through the exhaustion. Josh notices I’m having difficulties. He turns around and mouths, “Hold on,” to me before bending at the waist and throwing me over his shoulder, carrying me down the stairs at a much quicker pace than what we were going.
The speed he is managing to run down these stairs while carrying me is impressive, to say the least. How has he not collapsed yet? Stopped to catch his breath? God, I feel pathetic… I couldn’t even keep up with walking down all these levels.
We get to the bottom and he settles me on my feet, before opening the door and peeking through it again. Once he deems it okay, he leads me into a garage. A nice bloody garage, with two rows of very expensive sports cars. Josh stops at a sleek, black, Batmobile-looking car. When he presses a button and the doors open upward, I’m almost certain it is the damn Batmobile.
He supports me as I lower myself into the car. I can’t help but look into every shadow in this place, waiting for something or someone to jump out. When Josh jogs around the front of the car, climbing into the driver’s seat, I finally let out the air I was holding in my lungs. It’s going to be okay.
I stay silent as Josh starts the ignition, the engine roaring so loudly I can barely hear my own thoughts. So much for being quiet. I look over at his profile. His jaw is tense, his eyes scanning every direction as he manoeuvres the car out of the underground garage.
As soon as he hits the street, he floors it. My whole body gets pulled back into the seat, the engine’s vibrations coming through the leather interior. He makes a few quick turns before slowing down a little. He’s still tense. I don’t know what I can do to help. I should be able to help… Whatever it is that’s happening, it’s because of me.
I reach over and place my hand on top of his. He shifts down gears and brings the car to what would be an acceptable speed. He lifts my hand, raising my fingers to his mouth, and kisses lightly.
“Josh, did you steal the Batmobile? Because I’m pretty sure Batman is not someone even you want to mess with,” I ask.
Josh’s laugh fills the car and his body relaxes more as he settles back into his seat. “No, this car is way better than the Batmobile, babe. This beauty right here is a Lamborghini Aventador, so much better than the Batmobile.” He shakes his head, as if the thought of me not knowing what type of car we are in is inconceivable.
“Um, Josh? What happened back there?” I ask tentatively.
“Uh, there were some uninvited guests in the penthouse. I’m sorry I scared you, Em. But you are safe. I promise I will not let anyone hurt you ever again.”
“Are you safe though? Is me being here going to end up hurting you? I can’t do that to you, Josh. It’s not fair.”
He turns his head so fast to face me. “The only thing that can ever hurt me, Em, is you leaving. Not being able to wake up next to you every day, that’s what will hurt me. No, it won’t just hurt me. It will fucking ruin me. Don’t do it.”
He’s pleading for me not to leave. I know that if I did, it would destroy him. But then again, I might just end up destroying him if I stay. “I don’t want to leave. I want to wake up next to you every day. I’m going to fight this. I’m going to figure out a way to get myself out of this mess.”
“We, babe. We are going to figure this out.”
“Where are we going now?” I ask. It looks like we’re heading into the suburbs, only not the normal, everyday people suburbs. This is the elite, rich people with mansions for guest houses kind of suburbs.
“Somewhere no one will be able to find us. But ah, how good are you at climbing fences? You’re good with heights, right?”
“Fences? Heights? Uh, I can climb a fence. You know I was part of the gymnastics club at school. I think I’ll survive the heights. Why? Whose fence are we scaling?”
“Emmy, you were in every fucking club at school. We’re breaking into the McKinley Residence.”
“Ah, Josh, have you forgotten that you are a McKinley? Why do we need to sneak in?”
“So no one knows we’re there, of course.” He winks at me.
“Don't Dean and Ella live in that house?” I’m sure Ella told me about some museum-type house Dean had her move into.
“Yes, which is why we are sneaking inside. It’ll be okay.” He pulls the car up to the side of the road. Looking into the rear-view mirror, he says, “Okay, let’s do this. Wait until I open your door.” With that, he jumps out and runs around the front of the car.
Once I’m out of the car, I notice we are not alone. Sam is leaning against a black SUV, smiling a huge-ass smile.
“Rules: Do not go over fifty kilometres an hour. Stop at every fucking orange light. If you so much as leave a hair in it, you buy it. Got me?” Josh grunts out. Huh, I guess he’s protective over his car.
“Sure thing, boss. Although, you and I both know you don’t pay me enough to buy one of these beauties. Emily, lovely to see you as always.” Sam smirks in my direction.
“Ah, you too?” My response comes out as more of a question than a statement.
“Come on, I’m going to show you how to break and enter into one of the most-guarded, high-tech security homes in this neighbourhood.” Josh grabs my hand and leads me up the street.
