CHAPTER 262

CHAPTER 262
Mia's POV

The figure in the parking lot was still there, and my instincts were screaming that this wasn't a coincidence. After everything we'd been through - the attacks, the kidnapping, the explosion at the gas station - I knew better than to dismiss potential threats.

This could be our chance. If someone is watching me, waiting for an opportunity, then maybe I can turn the tables on them.

I took a deep breath and opened the mind link that connected me to the brothers. It was something I rarely used, preferring verbal communication, but this situation called for discretion.

Xavier, I projected, keeping my face neutral. Don't react, but there's someone watching the hospital from the parking lot.

I felt his immediate spike of alarm through the bond, followed by similar reactions from Nathan, Sean, and Rolex as he shared the information with them.

Where? Nathan's mental voice was tight with concern.

Dark clothing, standing behind the white van near the east entrance. They've been there for at least ten minutes.

We need to get you out of here, Sean responded immediately.

No, I said firmly. This might be exactly what we need. If they're here to spy on me or worse, we can use this as an opportunity to catch them.

The resistance I felt through the mind link was immediate and overwhelming.

Absolutely not, Xavier's mental voice was sharp with authority. We're not using you as bait.

I'm not asking for permission, I replied. I'm telling you what's going to happen. This is our chance to get real information about who's behind these attacks.

Mia, after what happened earlier, you can't expect us to just let you put yourself in danger, Rolex protested.

Actually, what happened earlier is exactly why you need to trust me on this, I shot back. Your overprotective instincts led to me getting hurt. Maybe if you'd listened to me instead of charging in like cavemen, none of this would have happened.

The guilt that flooded through the mind link was almost overwhelming, but I pressed my advantage.

I know what I'm doing. I'm a doctor, I'm the Supreme Luna, and I'm perfectly capable of handling myself. But I need you to work with me, not against me.

Several long moments of mental argument followed. I could feel them debating among themselves, their protective instincts warring with their recognition that I was right.

What do you need us to do? Xavier finally asked, resignation clear in his mental tone.

I need you all to leave the room. Make it look like you're going home for the night. But stay close - close enough to intervene if something goes wrong.

We don't like this, Nathan said.

I don't care if you like it, I replied bluntly. I care if you'll support me.

Fine, Sean said reluctantly. But at the first sign of real danger, we're coming in.

Agreed.

Out loud, Xavier cleared his throat. "We should probably head home and let you get some rest," he said, his acting skills surprisingly good.

"That's probably a good idea," I replied, settling back against the pillows. "I'm feeling pretty tired."

"We'll be back first thing in the morning," Nathan added, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

"Get some sleep," Sean said, squeezing my hand.

"Call if you need anything," Rolex finished.

After they left, I waited several minutes before carefully disconnecting my IV. The drip had been mostly saline anyway - nothing I couldn't do without. But I left it in place, making it look like it was still connected.

Then I settled back and closed my eyes, regulating my breathing to mimic sleep while keeping my other senses on high alert.

Come on, I thought. If you're going to make a move, now's your chance.

I didn't have to wait long. About twenty minutes after the brothers left, I heard the soft squeak of the door opening. Footsteps approached my bed - not the heavy boots of security, but the soft, deliberate steps of someone trying not to be heard.

Through my barely cracked eyelids, I could see a figure dressed in scrubs approaching my bedside. They moved with purpose, pulling something from their pocket - a syringe.

Bingo.

The fake nurse moved toward my IV line, clearly intending to inject whatever was in that syringe into my drip. I had to fight the urge to smile at how perfectly this was playing out.

They think I'm unconscious and vulnerable. Let's see where this leads.

I felt the slight vibration as they injected their substance into the IV tubing. Within moments, I let my body go completely limp, my breathing becoming even more shallow and regular.

The person waited a few minutes, probably making sure their drug had taken effect, before moving around to the side of my bed. I felt hands sliding under my arms and knees, preparing to lift me.

This is it. Time to see who's really behind all this.

As they carried me out of the room and down the hallway, I kept my body completely relaxed, fighting every instinct that told me to struggle or escape. Through my closed eyelids, I could sense the change in lighting as we moved through different areas of the hospital.

Where are they taking me? And more importantly, who's waiting for me when we get there?

The movement stopped, and I heard the ding of an elevator. We were going down - probably to a parking garage or service area where a vehicle would be waiting.

As the elevator descended, I reached out through the mind link.

I'm being moved. Elevator, going down. Stay close but don't interfere yet.

We see you, Xavier's mental voice was tight with tension. We're following.

Remember, we need to see where they take me and who they're working with, I reminded them. Don't blow this because you're worried about me.

This better work, Mia, Sean said. Because if something goes wrong...

It won't, I assured them, though I wasn't entirely sure myself.

The elevator stopped, and we exited into what felt like a parking garage. I could smell car exhaust and hear the echo of footsteps on concrete.

Almost there. Whatever happens next, wait for my signal.

Because as dangerous as this plan was, it was also our best chance to finally get some real answers about who was hunting me and why.

And after everything we'd been through, I was ready to face whatever was waiting in the darkness.

Through the mind link, I could feel the brothers' presence nearby, their protective instincts barely held in check. But they were trusting me to handle this my way.

Don't let me down, I thought as I felt myself being loaded into what seemed to be the back of a van.

And please, let this lead us to the truth.