I might not exactly be one of them, but to have stood on the outer rim and basked in the warmth of this patchwork family for even a moment has been everything. I never knew what I was searching for until now.
I just want to be surrounded by people I trust and who want nothing more than to share little moments in life together. People who will be there for me the same way I will be there for them. And we face the good and the bad together.
I’m so lost in my head that it takes me a minute to realize Donovan hasn’t answered me about watching a movie.
I look up at him, expecting to see his attention on something other than our conversation.
But he’s looking at me with an apology in his eyes.
My stomach drops.
“Donovan?” I ask, tears springing to my eyes, but I don’t have the first clue why. “What’s going on?”
It doesn’t matter if I don’t have any proof, Iknowhe’s hiding something from me.
“Not here, My Beauty.” His words are soft, meant only for me.
I swallow hard, but nod as if I understand.
Except, I don’t. I have something kicking in my gut, but no explanation as to the reason behind it. I hate it.
Oh, here we go.
I feel my control slipping. As I let go, my feet come to a stop. The protective crowd around us seems to follow my lead, pausing in their steps and waiting. We’re far enough away from the square and everyone gathered for the celebration, so I’m notworried about catching some unwanted attention and giving the city’s gossip train more fuel.
Donovan’s hand tightens around mine as he turns to face me. There’s a deadly warning in his eyes.
“Astra.” And with that one word… withmy name, he softens. I hate it as much as I love it. I know I’m the only one he’ll do that for, but right now, I’m itching for an argument. I’m craving for him to throw down with me. To kick and yell and scream. Tofuckingfight for…
For…
Us?
Because I realize the look behind his eyes says he’s given up, and I don’t like it.
It’s like we’re walking back to his house, but all he’s seeing is the executioner waiting up ahead.
No, I won’t let us go out so complacently.
“It’s not over,” I tell him.
Tires screech, causing me to flinch. A second later, loud pops fill the air.
The breath is stolen from my lungs when I hit the ground, and the body on top of me feels heavy… like dead weight.
I hear the crunch of crumpling metal followed by the shattering of glass. It oddly sounds like hail as the shards rain down on the scene.
This is bad.
Really bad.
“Andre!” I hear Fabien scream.
My head is dizzy and I don’t know which way is up.
“No, no,” I cry out as I hurry to crawl out from under the heavy body and flip whoever it is over. The open, blank eyes staring up at me aren’t Donovan’s. I feel bad for being thankful, and hate myself because I don’t even know his name.
“Up,” Donovan says as he shakes off Torrin and pulls me to my feet by my arm. “Move, move.”
