Page 93 of While He Breathes

He gives me the smallest of nods before he takes a seat on the other side of the waiting room.

It takes everything in me not to stare straight at him, because I don’t want to draw any attention to him, but I manage to train my eyes on Elsie’s hand in mine.

She’s so tiny and definitely malnourished. I’ve heard her stomach rumble a handful of times in the hour we’ve spent together, but she doesn’t seem to notice it.

Cain pulls his phone out to take a call, and I hang on every word he says.

“Yes, we’re here.”

He pauses for the other person’s response.

“No issues. The girls have been well behaved.”

His filthy eyes drag over us both before flicking around the room again.

“I’ll go in with them and won’t let them out of my sight. Don’t worry, boss.”

He listens for another beat before ending the call and returning to his magazine.

I swallow heavily around the lump in my throat. “Cain?”

“What?”

“Would it be possible to get some water? I’m not feeling very well.”

“I don’t care.”

I frown. “I feel really dizzy. I think I’m dehydrated.”

He lets out an annoyed growl before shoving to his feet, turning his back on us for long enough for me to pull the blade from the pocket and shove it into Elsie’s hands.

“What are you doing?” she hisses.

“The guy over there in the ball cap?” I pause to let her find him before continuing. “He’s my best friend. He’s here to save me. To save us. If you get the chance to run, go straight to him, okay? I’ll do the same.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but I squeeze her hands in mine.

“Please, Elsie. He will keep you safe, and I’ll be right behind you. If you get the chance, run.”

She nods hesitantly, and I breathe out a calming breath as I lean back in my seat, forcing my body to settle as Cain’s hulking frame weaves back through the chairs and shoves the paper cup at me.

“Here.”

“Thanks.” I offer him a small smile he doesn’t deserve before draining the contents.

For the first time since I woke up in that cell, I feel a whisper of hope in my chest, and I allow myself to lean into it.

“Ember and Elsie, right this way.” An older man with a receding hairline says, looking right at us with too much interest.

I help Elsie to her feet and follow after him, sparing Darius one last look before we step out of sight.

My heart aches knowing Orion isn’t waiting for me out there, but he’d want me to fight like hell.

He’d want me to survive, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

ORION