Invisible by L.A. Remenicky Page B

coffee.
    As I sat and waited for the machine to do its thing, I had time to think about our next move. I called Brent using the clinic’s phone, trusting him to get all the supplies we’d need to disappear: cash, untraceable phones, clothes, and a car. The coffee was done so I poured a cup, grateful when the caffeine kicked in.
    Pacing around wasn’t helping, but it was all I could do while I wondered what was taking so long. When I poked my head in the door and saw the huge needle Jordan was holding, my entire stomach contents tried to move up into my throat, and I got lightheaded. Jordan came to my rescue—empty handed, thank God. She made me sit and put my head between my knees and then we bickered back and forth about my inability to be around needles but that I was able to run through a gunfight without batting an eye. That’s the last thing I needed to do—delay Lainie’s treatment. We needed to get on the road.
    Jordan went back to the exam room and did what she does best. I’d rather not think about it. After she had opened the door, I returned to Lainie’s side, hoping that whatever was in that syringe would help Lainie’s knee. We didn’t really have other options, and the thought of her in pain started my stomach churning again. Get a grip, McKenna. “Are you ready to go? My most trusted friend Brent will meet us with the supplies we need so we can disappear.”
    Once Jordan was back and we got ready to leave, I made sure she understood how serious this situation was and that she could call Brent if she needed anything. I’d love to stay and protect her too, but I couldn’t be in two places at once, and Lainie needed me the most. We said our goodbyes, and I thought we could get on the road when she insisted on checking my arm before we left. I followed her out of the exam room and into her office. She rolled up my sleeve and poked and prodded at the wound in my arm.
    “It’s healing well, Jax. Just keep an eye on it, please. You won’t be any good to anybody if this gets infected.” She turned away, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.
    “Hey, it’s going to be okay. Keith will do something stupid and go back to prison, and then we can all go back to our normal lives.”
    She reached over and grabbed a box with a big red cross on it. “Here’s a first-aid kit. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but I’ll feel better knowing you have it.”
    We hugged again as if it might be our last and walked out of the office. Lainie was limping down the hall to the door. I picked her up and carried her out to the car, and with any luck, drove away from the threats hanging over our heads. Leaning her body against the door, my strong Lainie tried to sleep through the pain.
     

 
    Chapter 7

    Jax
    Finally, we were back on the road, putting some distance between Jordan and us. It was all set for Brent to meet us in Lafayette with everything we needed to disappear. Lainie softly sighed and shifted in the passenger seat, leaning against me but remaining asleep. I rested my hand on her arm as I pulled her jacket up to cover her, hoping she would sleep until we met Brent. It was difficult for me to comprehend what she had gone through today, especially almost being taken away by those goons. The music from the country station on the radio kept me company while I drove.
    The clouds were breaking up, letting the stars shine through as we pulled into Lafayette. The directions for the address Brent had given me were easy to follow and led us into the industrial part of town where I turned into the parking lot of a closed truck depot. One of the overhead doors opened, and I drove in, pulling up next to an older Chevy. I shut off the car and stretched, wishing I didn’t have to wake Lainie. She was so peaceful when she slept. Brent was walking in our direction so I brushed her hair off her forehead to wake her. She stirred and stared at me with those blue eyes.
    “Hey, sleepyhead. Time to wake up.”
    She awoke with a