We spend a little longer getting acquainted before deciding that everyone needs some sleep. Fortunately the penthouse has plenty of rooms. John and Mike take the two that Xavier points out so they get some rack time while Blake, Xavier and I turn the formal dining room into a com center.
Blake is in his kind of heaven. While we were in the office, someone brought up all of our equipment. There are three laptops set up, all running different programs. A petite dark haired waitress brings up coffee and sandwiches when Xavier calls down to the kitchen, and Blake is chugging coffee while hacking into traffic cameras, casino security cameras, and local police databases like it’s nothing.
Xavier watches him for a few minutes before walking away, shaking his head. “Come look over the gear in my panic room and see if there is anything you think we can use.”
After one last glance at Blake clicking away in his own little world, I follow. The doors open with a pin code and his thumb print.
The panic room is perfect. I swear I’m going to put one in my house as soon as we get home. It’s a walk-in closet converted into a miniature arsenal with enough room for at least a couple people to hide in. Gun racks line the back wall and there are crates of corresponding ammo on the shelves.
I’m liking this guy more and more.
A couple hours later my eyes are blurry and gritty. My thoughts feel foggy. I blink trying to clear them, but it’s no use.
“It’s our turn to get some sleep,” I grumble. Everything is set up. Blake has his computers running every license plate caught on camera in real-time, as well as reviewing the last several hours of footage.
Blake pushes his chair away from the electronic chaos on the table with a yawn before stretching to his feet.
“I’ll go wake up John and Mike.” He yawns again and rolls his neck and shoulders as he trudges down the hall. I know he’s gotta be hurting as much, or more, than me. His head sustained a significant hit against the window when we rolled.
It doesn’t take long for our replacements to slip into the kitchen, heading right to the coffee cart and filling mugs with the steaming brew. They aren’t as good as Blake, no one really is, but they should be able to spot the armored truck if they see it on one of the monitors. That’s enough for now. None of us will be any good for what’s coming if we don’t get some sleep.
We exchange a few brief words, the most important ones being that they wake me up immediately if they see anything. It’s a good thing I learned how to sleep under any circumstances in the military; otherwise, I know that I wouldn’t catch a single second of rest until I have Faye back beside me where she belongs.
I rub my hand absently over the ache behind my breastbone. Less than 24 hours ago she was asleep in my arms and I was confident that we would never spend another night apart. It’s hard to accept how wrong I was about that. Wrong about allowing her to come along. Wrong to think I would keep her safe. I should have left her at home and dealt with the fallout when I got back. Becca would have come and stayed with her so she wouldn’t have been alone, they seemed to really like each other. Plus she would have enjoyed the time with Max. Becca’s dogs too.
Bringing her with me was a mistake. One I will remedy soon. I won’t accept anything less.
“I’m coming for you, Sweetpea,” I promise as exhaustion finally pulls me into the darkness of sleep, with only the sounds of Faye crying in my dreams to keep me company.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Faye
Warm streams of golden sunlight peeking through the uncovered window wakes me up abruptly. It’s like my body suddenly had enough rest and has to get up right now.
My heart is thundering and I’m a little disoriented, even though I remember everything that happened yesterday. There is no pretending we aren’t in trouble, and there’s absolutely no sense trying to go back to sleep. I’d prefer to be awake and ready the next time someone comes to check on us.
My entire body feels like one massive bruise. I’ve never been in a car accident before. I didn’t realize there would be no relief from the pain. Especially my abused shoulder. That is, by far, the worst. I stretch out onto my back on the lumpy mattress and roll my head toward Ana.
She is curled in a little ball, hugging her baby bump protectively. I wipe my gritty eyes as tears start leaking from the corners. Somehow, I have to protect her from this mess we're in.
My stomach rumbles in the brittle silence, reminding me that I haven't eaten since lunch the day before. I’m sore, scared and hungry. I really miss Travis. Not a good combination to wake up to. Self pity over takes me again and I slowly blow out a long quivering breath, pushing the negative thoughts away.
I might be scared, but I know that it’s a total waste of time. Right now I need to think clearly, to not be overwhelmed by my feelings. I have to try to save myself. That is what Travis would want me to do. What he would expect me to do.
Ana must feel me shifting around as I try to ease my sore muscles, because she uncurls before rolling over to meet my eyes.
“Hey,” she greets me, her voice shaking, before bursting into tears. “What are we going to do?”
There isn’t anything I can say to reassure her, so I take her hand while she lets her panic out.
My own cheeks are wet with the tears I had been fighting back by the time she pulls herself back together. Stiff muscles screaming at me in protest, I climb slowly from the bare mattress and struggle to my feet and go to the window. Leaning heavily against the wall, I look outside. We are in Las Vegas—one look outside to the city glimmering below confirms that.
“At least we know that your husband is close by,” I say, trying to find a way to stay positive when Ana points out the building she had been living in. It’s not far. She even points out the bank of windows that used to be her livin
g room. If we can find a way out of here we could be there in fifteen minutes. Less if we run.
Knowing safety is so close is somewhat reassuring and helps to boost my confidence. I know that I can get there. I just have to figure out how. More importantly, how to get Ana there, since I know that she can’t move as fast as me..