Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Dammit. Damn every last bit of it.
Because now, I’m looking at not only the dark, avenging angel.
I’m looking at a hero who leaves my heart swelling with pride and my love deepening beyond what I thought was possible. That’s what he is, no matter how well I know he’d tell me to get real if I so much as breathed the word. He’s as noble as I always imagined—no, more.
He wants to protect those kids.
Considering how his experience in the cult shaped his life—how it haunts him—who am I to stop him from doing what needs to be done?
“Hey.” He pulls my face close; the intense blue of his eyes mesmerizes, so much so that I nearly get lost in them. “You’re still with me, right? You’re not walking away. Are you?”
“Ren—”
“Are you?” he demands through clenched teeth. What would he do or say if I did? “Are you going back on your word?”
“No. No, I’m not. That’s not what I’m saying at all.”
I pause, drawing a deep breath, giving what comes next the weight it deserves. “I’m never walking away from you. I’m never going back on my word. I’m with you, all the way.”
“No matter what?”
The hope in his voice almost makes him sound like a little boy. The way it radiates from his face. I can almost imagine him as the little kid caught up in the twisted games those people played. He didn’t stand a chance, the poor thing.
So many others could be going through the same thing at this very moment. So many other little boys and girls who might one day carry around the ghosts of what they suffered.
I can’t let him down.
What’s more, I can’t let him go through this on his own.
“No matter what,” I agree, and I mean it with every beat of my heart.
“Good.” His face seems to transform when he smiles. I’d do anything to make him this happy all the time. Glowing, radiant with it. “River gave me more information this morning. We’re ready to get rolling on the next phase.”
I nod, forcing a smile that can’t possibly look sincere.
He’s so exhilarated, so full of excited energy, I doubt he notices.
“Shit.” To my surprise, he lifts an arm and sniffs, his nose wrinkling comically. “I need a shower. I’m sorry you have to come near me when I’m like this. Sometimes, it’s like I forget about everything else when we get deep into our plans.”
“I’ve noticed.” Either I’m very good at concealing my irritation with River or he’s too busy buzzing with excitement to see it for what it is. “You’re lucky I’m here to keep an eye on you.”
“Oh, I knew that already.” He smiles down at me, and I can’t help but bask in the warmth and glow of his love. If only I could turn him away from this crazy idea. Why am I not enough to make him see everything he’s risking?
“Get your stinky ass in the shower, then.” I give him a playful shove toward the bathroom, laughing before I turn to the table. The sight of the closed laptop leaves me scowling. I wish I knew how to reach River. I believe the two of us could have a nice, informative chat.
It isn’t the laptop or River on my mind once my gaze drifts a few inches to the left, where Ren’s phone sits.
How many times have I watched him tuck that phone into his pocket and wished he’d be a little less careful? He never leaves it lying around. There hasn’t been a chance for me to reach out to calm my family and ease the fears I know they must wrestle with.
Now, there’s more at stake. Ren’s safety, his life. He might be walking headfirst to his own execution, and nothing I say or do will be enough to change his mind. He’s set on this course. He’s almost manic with excitement.
Now more than ever, I need advice. I need help. I need my brother.
And there might never be another chance.
With one eye on the closed bathroom door, and my heart pounding like a triphammer, I close my fingers around the phone, glad to find it unlocked. It’s a new phone, a burner, but Q has kept the same phone number for years. I know it by heart and punch it in before I can lose my nerve.
“Hello?”
My brother’s distrusting bark brings tears to my eyes once again. I only thought I missed him before now; when his voice brings his face to mind in clear detail, the tightness in my throat threatens to strangle me.
“Quinton?” I whisper, one hand cupped close to my mouth to smother the sound.
“Scar? Oh shit, is it you? Are you okay? Where are you? Does Ren still have you? Has he hurt you?” I’m pretty sure it all comes out in a single breath, his questions almost overlapping.