My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I thought it might crack. Footsteps. Clear, steady ones coming down the hall. Marcus, Jake, and I froze.
Before the person reached the door, I quickly grabbed Jake and hid him in a tall cabinet by the window.
“Wait here please.” I said.
None of us could afford questions right now. I quickly turned to Marcus, voice low and rushed. “Just play along. Please.”
The door swung open before he could answer.
Clara stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. She looked tense, like she already expected trouble. For a second she only saw me and Marcus standing near the bed. Jake stayed quiet in the tall cabinet by the window, the door cracked just enough for air.
“Everything okay up here?” Clara asked, brows drawn together.
I forced a small smile and s
