Chapter 171 ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-ONE

Chapter 171 ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-ONE
Scarlett’s POV

I pulled my mouth off Blue quickly, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Even with the movement, his broad body completely shielded me from the rest of the dimly lit space.

Blue quickly buckled his trousers, pulled the bottom of his shirt up to wipe my face clean, and then pulled me up to my feet as he turned his chair around to look at whoever had just arrived.

Stan was standing at the edge of the area, looking extremely awkward and staring pointedly at the ground. A burning blush flooded my face. This situation literally could not get any less weird.

Blue cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing. "What?"

Stan shifted his weight, trying to act professional. "There seems to be a group of people gathered around the main entrance to the tunnel. They might be trying to break in, which means that we must leave here immediately."

"You know the exit route, right?" Blue asked, his tone turning instantly sharp and serious.

"Yes," Stan replied firmly.

Blue looked conflicted, his forehead creasing as he began to pace back and forth in the narrow space.

"We cannot leave without Tanner," I interjected, stepping up beside Blue. "Orion is yet to show up with him."

Stan paused, looking between the two of us. "Is he... is he still alive?"

A heavy, tense silence filled the small space.

"I don't know," Blue said quietly, staring into the dark passage. "He has to be, though. Here is what will happen: get everyone out of the tunnels and tell them to walk in differing directions. It's important to avoid big cities, else they would just end up trapped in another place like Bellamy."

Stan nodded in agreement. "What about you?"

"I'll go back to the library for Tanner now that everyone else is sorted out," Blue instructed calmly. "Take Scarlett out with you."

My head whipped between them, and I snapped. "No, I refuse! I am not going anywhere without you! I will wait right here until you return."

Blue placed his hands on his hips to glare at me, but he winced, groaning softly as he dropped his injured arm back to his side.

Stan frowned, looking at the fresh blood seeping through the bandage. "You are injured, boss. How will you even do this on your own?"

Jax walked over into the area, having clearly caught the last part of our conversation. "I will go," he said, his face serious. "Just leave, boss. Tanner would not want you to put yourself in danger for him when you could have already escaped safely."

The muffled, chaotic sounds echoing from the surface outside began to get louder and far more focused.

"Also, there is a fire out there now," Jax added, looking up toward the ceiling. "People are scattered and panicked. It's just not safe out there anymore."

Blue nodded pensively, his eyes calculating every option. He turned to Stan. "How many people are still down here?"

"Maybe eight," Stan answered.

Blue nodded slowly, and then, in a shockingly fast movement, his uninjured arm swung out, striking Jax hard on the side of his neck. Jax didn't even have time to gasp before his eyes rolled back and his body went completely limp. Blue caught him easily before he hit the stone floor.

"Have some people carry him out along with them," Blue commanded, his voice cold and unwavering.

Stan nodded, his eyes wide in shock as he stepped forward to take Jax.

Blue had to do this. I knew him—he couldn't bear to lose anyone else today.

Stan motioned for me to follow him, but I stubbornly refused to move an inch. I gave Blue a sharp, warning look. "You better not try to knock me out too. I'll stay in a safe area down here, but I am not leaving these tunnels without you."

Blue let out a long sigh. He shooed Stan off, helping him drag Jax's unconscious body close to where the remaining guys were waiting.

When Blue returned to my side, he looked down at me, shaking his head. "Why have you chosen to be so difficult today?"

"I just don't want to leave you behind," I said plainly, crossing my arms over my chest.

Blue stared at me for a second, his expression softening just a fraction. "You do know that the moment we step out of these tunnels, we will be more or less outlaws, right? They will be actively looking for us everywhere."

"Whatever," I shrugged, trying to sound braver than I felt. "What is more important is, how do we get this money that Greg put in my name?"

Blue clicked his teeth, a small flash of amusement touching his lips. "We will figure it out. No problem then. Just stay behind me, Red, and keep a good distance away."

I nodded, not intending to be disobedient in that regard.

We stayed tucked into the dark corner of the tunnel, with Blue peeking around the stone edge to monitor the tunnel shaft.

A few seconds later, the dark space directly under the main entrance hole was suddenly flooded with torchlights as the cover was violently kicked open from above.