Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Miriam’s face is tight, her eyes filled with something I can’t quite place—fear, maybe, or pity. “You know I can’t tell you that.”
Frustration bubbles in my chest.
“You can tell me. Nobody knows I’m here. Nobody will know you have spoken to me. God dammit, just tell me.”
She hesitates, her hands twisting together. “Nia, I don’t know...”
“Please,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I just need to know she’s safe.”
Her shoulders sag slightly, and I can only pray that means she’s giving in.
She swallows, glancing around once more before smoothing down her pale cream dress. A dress that covers every part of her, including her neck. Women aren’t allowed to show skin when they are out. “They’re angry, Nia. You left, and they’re making sure everyone knows it. The child is... She’s weak, you know that.”
I curse, angry and hurt. “What have they done?”
“They haven’t hurt her, but they aren’t taking care of her. She’s still sick, really unwell. If you don’t return soon, Nia, they will let her die. You know they will.”
I suck in a breath, my heart twisting in pain.
I have to get her out. “I need you to help me get her out. Miriam, you’re the only one who can. Please. Imagine this was your child. She needs help.”
Silence stretches between us, thick and heavy. I can see the war in her eyes, the conflict tearing at her. It feels like an eternity before she finally speaks.
“I can’t do that. It’s not safe,” she says, her voice low. “If they find out...”
“They won’t,” I cut in. “I’ll make sure of it. We have a plan. I won’t let you get hurt for this. I just need you to help me get her out. That’s it.”
She presses her lips together. “They’ll know. I’m the only one who cares for the kids.”
“It will work, trust me. I promise this won’t touch you.”
She stares around again, her face conflicted.
“Please, Miriam. I will never ask anything of you again. She means so much to me.”
She exhales. “I’ll help you, but only because I can’t bear to see her like this. She shouldn’t be punished for your actions.”
Her words sting, but I could scream with relief.
“Thank you,” I breathe.
She hesitates. “What’s the plan?”
"The club will create a distraction near the compound, get everyone rushing out. You will be ordered to take the children to safety. Then, you need to rush Lily to the far corner where the crops are, it's the only place the cameras don't reach. I'll be there waiting."
It all comes out in a rush, and I can only hope she understands what I'm asking. What I'm begging her to do.
She bites her lip, eyes darting wildly. "The crops? It's risky. If someone notices me running off, or finds out I left the kids alone...”
“I know, it won’t be easy. But you just need to distract the kids for a second, and bring Lily. It will be less than five minutes.”
“They will ask me where she is...”
“You say I snuck in through the corner, held you at gunpoint, whatever you have to say to get out of it. I don’t care. Tell them Lily panicked and ran off, and you can’t find her. Whatever you have to do, do it.”
She shakes her head. “The cameras will see me sneaking out.”
“I have mapped out a plan, this is how I got out without being seen,” I say, handing her a sheet of paper where I have drawn the exact route. “I figured out where every camera pointed and got myself out. You can do this.”
Miriam's stares down at the paper, and I can see the weight of her decision pressing down on her. For a moment, I think she might change her mind. My heart is pounding, my breath caught somewhere between hope and despair.
"I'll do it," she says finally. "But it has to be quick. If I think I’m getting caught, I won’t do it.”
“I understand. Thank you. We’ll be there in two nights exactly. Eight PM.”
Miriam nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes as I turn and run back to the truck. My heart is a wild, frantic mess in my chest, but I feel a spark of hope for the first time. We might actually pull this off. We might get her out. I throw myself into the truck, breathless and shaking.
"Well?" Knox grunts, his eyes boring into mine.
"She's going to do it," I say, my voice elated. "She'll take Lily to the crops."
Mera lets out a breath, her face softening. "You did it, honey."
"Thank fuck," Knox mutters, turning the key in the ignition. "Let's get the hell outta here before they see us."
He guns the engine, and the truck lurches forward as we speed out of the parking lot. I watch the van shrink in the distance, my heart still pounding. I can't believe it. I can't believe she's going to help.