Page 96 of While He Breathes

I’m a master of hiding my identity. I’m sure I could have flown under the radar.

But even as I think it, I know my presence would have given Ember away. She probably thinks I’m dead after all, and no matter how good a thief she is, she doesn’t have it in her to shut down her emotions like that.

I drag my fingers through my hair for what feels like the hundredth time since Darius walked into that building.

Why didn’t we use earpieces again?

Oh yeah, because they didn’t trust me not to rush in the second Ember was in any kind of danger.

Probably a fair concern, to be honest.

Movement by the clinic drags my attention to the door, and my throat closes over as I watch Darius and the other girl sprint in the direction of the car.

Where the fuck is Ember?

I shove my way out of the car and hold open the door, allowing Darius and the girl to get inside before I’m back behindthe driver’s seat, my head ducking down enough that no one should be able to see me.

“What the fuck happened?” I snap. “And where the hell is Ember?”

They’re both breathing hard, but it’s the girl’s gentle sobs that have me turning in my seat. Her head is buried in Darius’s chest, her shoulders shaking with every breath she takes.

Fuck.

She’s in bad shape.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to leave her,” she cries. “But she made me promise that if I got the chance, I would take it. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

She’s spiraling, her panic dragging her under, but Darius whispers softly to her, his hand moving over her back in gentle circles.

“You’re okay. It’s not your fault. You did the right thing,” he murmurs.

I’m not so sure about that, but I don’t argue as I glance through the windshield in time to see Cain carry Ember out, her body completely immobile.

My chest clenches at the sight, and I have to tighten my hands on the steering wheel to stop myself from going to get her right this second.

“What happened?” I ask softly, hoping she can’t pick up on my clenched teeth and how close to the edge I am right now.

“Cain told the doctor what he wanted him to do to us, and she started panicking. I think it was a panic attack. My little sister has them sometimes, and it seemed similar. But before she lost herself, she nodded to the door. I think she let herself spiral so I could escape,” she sobs. “Oh god, I can’t believe I left her there.”

“Elsie,” I say carefully. “I know you’re scared. But I really need you to keep it together for us. Can you do that?”

“How do you know my name?” She eyes me warily.

“We did a bit of digging after you went inside, found you used to work for Lucas for a brief time. The asshole was even the one that filed your missing person’s report.” I flick my eyes to the van as Cain rounds to the driver’s seat. “Your sister is safe. She’s with a good foster family, and I promise I’ll take you to her. But first we need to get Ember back. Can you help us?”

I’m not above begging at this point, and I’m hoping by giving her an update on her sister she’ll be more likely to assist, but people who have been through trauma are a wild card at the best of times. Not that I could blame her if she refused to help us. I hate to think of the things she’s been through.

But then she nods. “I’ll help you.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

EMBER

When I come to, I’m back in my cell, and my head is pounding.

I don’t always pass out when I have a panic attack, but this one was particularly bad. Which makes sense, considering I’ve never felt more helpless than I do right now.

I thought losing Travis was rock bottom, but I had no idea how much further I had to fall.