Page 89 of Beautiful Sinner

Connor.

He’s down the hallway, looking into rooms as he passes them. He hasn’t spotted me yet.

I hurry back into Julia’s room and close the curtain so he can’t look inside. I also place the chair under the doorknob so he can’t open it.

“Change of plans,” I murmur. “Connor is here.”

“I told you he would come.”

“He knew you got shot. He must have come to the nearest hospital from the church.”

“But he won’t shoot you in a hospital full of people, will he?”

“I’m not sure but I’m not taking the chance. Especially with your life on the line. I will do whatever I can to save you.” I give her a passionate kiss just in case.

I unhook her breathing tube and IV and help her sit up. “Give me a moment.” I open the curtain and peek out the window. Connor is near the nurses station, asking them a question. Shit. Now is our only chance.

“Can you walk?” I ask her.

She tries to stand up but her legs are wobbly from the anesthesia she was just under.

“I’ll carry you.”

“But that will make more people look at us.”

“I don’t care. I just need to get you to safety right now.” I pick Julia up into my arms and open the door. Connor is still talking to a nurse and has his back to us.

I take off down the hallway in the opposite direction.

A nurse stops us. “Hey. She should be in bed, resting.”

“Uh, she had to use the restroom,” I lie.

“She has a bathroom in her room.”

“I’m sorry.” I brush past the nurse but only make it to the end of the hall when a security guard steps in my path.

Julia and I are stuck.

Chapter Fifteen

Julia

Ialways thought being in Matteo’s arms was the safest place in the world but right now, as he carries me through the hospital, I know I’m not any safer than if I was back in my hospital room.

When the security guard steps in our way, I know how this looks. Me, in my hospital gown, looking tired, and Matteo carrying me. It looks like he’s trying to take me out of here before I should leave. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening but none of these nurses and doctors can know about Connor. It would cause a panic and that would only make things worse. I just have to trust that Connor won’t shoot at us in a crowded hallway.

I glance over Matteo’s shoulder and see that Connor is still talking to the nurse at the nurse’s station.

“Please,” I say to the security guard. “We’re in a hurry. I’m not in danger.”

“She needs to be in her room, resting,” the nurse who stopped us says. “The doctor hasn’t given her orders to leave.”

“But she can leave,” Matteo says. “You can’t hold her here.”

“Of course she can leave but… you need to sign the discharge papers first. It states that you left of your own accord and we’re not responsible for anything that may happen to you after you leave.”

“I’ll sign it,” I say before Matteo can argue. Anyway we can get out of here faster.