Page 53 of Her Remarkable Protector
I watch him disappear from view. But then I catch it. Is it a trick of the light? A shadow, maybe, or my own breath against the glass? But no—it’s there, a faint curl of cloudy air, swirling low to the ground like it’s testing the room.
“Huxley!” I call out, my voice trembling as I step back from the door. “Something’s wrong.”
There’s no response yet, just the sound of my own staggered breaths. The haze thickens, subtle but insidious, licking at the corners of the room.
“Hux!” My voice pitches higher this time. “Something’s going on here. Gas!” I glance around wildly as the cloud spreads, rising from the vents. “Just break the window and get me out of here!”
“I can’t. These are bulletproof windows. Go to the gym!” Huxley barks from somewhere outside. “Chase keeps masks there. Near the treadmills!”
The gym? My mind reels. I’ve been here a while, but this isn’t my house. It’s not muscle memory to know where everything is. Still, I clutch Laramie tighter, covering her nose and mouth with a bib, and force my feet to move, stumbling through the house as the air thickens around us. Every breath feels heavier, like my lungs are trying to drag in mud instead of air.
The gym looms ahead, its glass doors a faint blur through the haze. I shove them open and scan the room, my eyes darting past weights and machines until they land on the shelf by the treadmill. There it is—an oxygen mask. One of those sleek, high-altitude training models Chase probably uses to push himself harder.
I fumble with the straps, my hands trembling as I press the mask to my face and suck in a breath. The relief is instant, and I close my eyes for just a second to steady myself. Then I look down at Laramie.
“Okay, baby girl,” I whisper, my voice muffled behind the mask. “Your turn.”
I tilt the mask toward her, angling it so she can get a few precious breaths. But it’s too big, slipping awkwardly over her tiny face. She squirms in my arms, her little fists flailing as I try to keep her still. It’s not going to work.
I can’t stay here.
The thought slams into me. I glance at the vents, still spewing their mist, and then at the door. My phone—I need to call Chase. But where is it? My damn phone!
Panic claws at my throat, but I shove it down.Think, Honor. Think!
I keep adjusting the mask over Laramie’s tiny face, desperate to get her even a few more precious breaths. I take another strained breath through it, barely enough to dull the fire in my lungs. Every inhale feels like punishment. My vision edges toward darkness, and Laramie’s weight in my arms shifts, heavier now with the oxygen tank dragging at my side.
But I can’t stop. I won’t.
“Stay with me,” I whisper. I press my cheek against her head, grounding myself in her warmth. “We’re getting out of this.”
How? I don’t know yet. But I will.
20
CHASE
Just as I see Damon Stone disappear, a call from Hux. I bet he’s going to tell me he’s managed to make Laramie laugh or that Honor’s baking cookies.
“Partner! I hope you haven’t gone and scared Laramie with your charming personality. Everything smooth?” I tease, half-smiling as I step outside.
The reply I get isn’t smooth. Not even close.
“Chase, we’ve got a situation,” Hux barks. His voice is tight, urgent. “Gas in the house. I can’t get in.”
“What?” My pulse spikes, and I stop dead in my tracks. “Comet, you’re not making any sense! What gas?”
“They’re trying to trap her. I can’t get in.”
“What the hell, Hux!” My voice rises as the words slam into me. “What do you mean you can’t get in?”
But he doesn’t need to explain further. My stomach drops.Damon.Damon has played me. He pulled me here, lured me out with just enough bait to distract me. All the while, the target wasn’t me—it was Honor. My house isn’t public knowledge, but if you dig deep enough, do your homework, it’s not impossible to find.
Gas… Did Hux say gas?
“Eric!” I yell over my shoulder. The rookie sticks his head out of the doorway. “Get me a couple of CBRNs! Now!”
Hux’s voice cuts through the phone, rough and tense. “I rammed my car trying to break that damn door, but it won’t budge!”
