AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Caleb smirked inwardly, relishing the discomfort that flickered across Hunter's stony features. The man might be a dangerous mob enforcer, but even he wasn't immune to public scrutiny.
"Fine," Hunter growled through gritted teeth. He eyed the board for the next possible departure, and turned to Caleb. "Take him to the bathroom, and make it quick."
"Of course," Caleb replied, feigning drowsiness from the sedatives as he obediently nodded. He guided Eli toward the men's room, feeling the weight of Hunter's gaze on his back like a physical presence.
Once inside, Caleb allowed himself a fleeting moment of relief – they were finally out of Hunter's sight. It was just for a short moment, but he'd have to make it work.
Now, he needed to find a way to escape.
His heart pounded in his chest, excitement tingling beneath his skin as he scanned the bathroom for any possible exit route.
The harsh fluorescent lights cast an unforgiving glow over the white tiles, emphasizing every grime-streaked corner and water-stained fixture. It was hardly an ideal setting for a daring escape, but Caleb had faced worse odds before.
"Uncle Caleb!"
Oh, that was right. There was more than one emergency at hand.
"Okay, kiddo, do your thing," he murmured to Eli, herding the kid into a stall and keeping one eye on the door, alert for any sign of Hunter's approach.
As Eli did his business, Caleb's mind raced, searching for a way out. There was no window to climb out of, like he was ditching a bad date. Damn. There was no way he could try to slip out of the door, either -- Hunter would be watching it like a hawk.
His frustration grew as each idea seemed less viable than the last. He knew time was running out. Hunter wouldn't wait forever, and Caleb couldn't risk losing this last chance to get away from him.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, his fingers raking through his hair in exasperation. His thoughts were a whirlwind of uncertainty, doubt, and desperation; there had to be a way out, something he hadn't thought of yet…
"Done!" Eli announced, abruptly snapping Caleb out of his mental frenzy.
"Good job, buddy," Caleb said, forcing a smile as he helped the kid wash his hands. He glanced at their reflections in the grimy mirror above the sink, seeing the stark contrast between Eli's innocence and his own haunted expression. He needed to protect Eli, no matter the cost.
As they washed their hands, Caleb steeled himself for the challenge ahead. No escape route presented itself within the confines of the men's room, but he refused to give up hope.
There had to be a way, there had to be…
And then, just as his heart threatened to surrender to despair entirely, the door to the men's room creaked open behind them.
Caleb tensed instinctively, muscles tensing as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation with Hunter.
"Caleb?"
Chapter twelve
ReliefwashedoverRykerlike a warm embrace as he saw Caleb and Eli huddled together by the sinks.
They were safe — for now.
"Ryker?!" Caleb called out, his voice breaking. He rushed towards Ryker, clutching Eli tightly in his arms, his eyes wide. "I wasn't sure you'd find us."
Ryker's heart soared as he watched Caleb and Eli, their safe reunion filling him with a profound sense of contentment. His protective instincts surged to the forefront, as if an unspoken responsibility had finally found its place in his life. "Couldn't have done it without the note. But, kid… Why trust me?"
Caleb grinned, relief radiating from every pore of his being. "You're a bastard… But as bastards go, there's worse ones out there."
"That's a bad word." Eli looked completely lost, but Caleb's language crossed a line.
"Sorry, little guy." Caleb took a deep breath, and then looked up at Ryker, his expression unreadable. "I had to make sure you would come."
The way Caleb clung to Eli and the unspoken gratitude in his eyes stirred something deep within Ryker, a warmth he'd never known. In that fleeting moment, he felt an emotion that was both exhilarating and unfamiliar.
Being needed.
