Sometimes, the blows can’t be avoided.
Sometimes I must choose between the piercing of flesh and the snapping of my neck.
Whatever it takes.
‘Hold the line.’
‘Reuben will get here.’
I’m unsure if I’m chanting it or saying it.
Some idiot nicked me above my eye, and I can’t see clearly around my own blood—I have no time to wipe it away because even that would be an opening.
‘Don’t let them through.’
‘Hold the line.’
‘Don’t let them win.’
My lungs burn. The world is spinning.
Still, I refuse to heal the wounds they’ve made.
I refuse to lessen the pain that laces through bone and nerves and muscle…
Because maybe this is my chance.
If I can save Kai…
It would mean I finally did something right.
It would mean I finally made a difference.
It would mean my life had meaning as Christian Adler.
And maybe, finally…
It means I can end this entire charade, once and for all.
Chapter 28
Reuben
Kai made it to a safe zone, a church out of sight of the cameras, by Aster’s orders.
But my mind is completely consumed by Christian.
Fifteen men…
The car is going too fucking slow.
I know it’s not, from the speed at which we’re flying through the city…
But it’s still toofuckingslow.
Someone by my side is trying to talk to me but I wish they’d shut up because it’s way too loud.
The panic in my ears is way too loud.
