I tip my pint back like we’re doing brunch and I’m hydrating responsibly. Finish it. Set it down slow. “Guess I did.”
He lunges.
Everything erupts.
The first punch cracks off my cheekbone. The second I block with my forearm. Pain flares hot, but I grab him and hurl him back; he smashes spine-first into a table, bottles exploding on impact. Wood screeches.
I’m not superhuman. I’m not unkillable.
But Iamcomfortable in pain. Too comfortable.
So when the third punch drills my ribs? I let it land. Let it hollow out my lungs. Let it wake me up.
I cock my fist, ready to swing back—
—but then the tall bastard pulls a gun.
Everything stops.
My brain turns into a blender full of static: doubt, guilt, regret, all whirling at once.
What the fuck am I even doing here?
Why did I provoke these idiots?
Lark’s gone. Been gone. So why am I dragging Rhea into this?
But the realization hits too late, right as the bullet does.
The impact folds me. My back hits the counter. My ears are ringing, heartbeat stuttering in my ribcage.
The tall one grins, gun trembling in his hand, eyes wild and drunk on power.
“What do you have to say now, huh?” he barks. “Should’ve kept your mouth shut about Rey.”
Iwantto lunge. I want to rip the gun from his hand and jam it down his throat until he burps brass.
But my legs aren’t listening. My blood’s leaking too fast, hot as wildfire.
Wow, Talon,I think. You’ve really done it this time. Real brain-genius move.
Except—
That’s when the girl who should’ve already been halfway home decides to save my stupid ass.
One second Rhea’s still behind the bar, the next she’s vaulting with a speed I didn’t know she had, a bottle clutched in her fist. She smashes it against the tall one’s gun hand, glass shattering, whiskey splattering everywhere, and he yelps, staggering back and dropping the gun across the floor.
“Run!” she shouts. But she doesn’t mean herself. She meansme.
Except I can’t. My side’s a goddamn furnace, and my blood’s pumping out too fast. I’m on the ground now.
Why is she—
Why the hell is she doing this for me?
Me?
I am literally no one.
