“Acknowledge.”
I give him a nod. “Yes, sir. I’m following.”
His eyes lift at the corners. “Let’s go, then.”
Declan grabs the two rifles that are strapped to his thighs. They’re short and scary looking, with extra rounds of bullets wrapped in cylinders on either side of the barrel. He holds themlike pistols when he comes out from around the corner and releases a barrage of bullets that makes my ears ring.
Since his long legs cover more ground than mine do when he walks in graceful strides, I jog to keep up. But I have to watch where I step so I don’t trip over a corpse. Declan opens the room door. It’s a corner suite like mine, so inside there’s an entryway, like in a hotel room.
“Imagine the nurse lied, and this isn’t his room,” I mumble.
Declan pauses, eyes widening slightly.
“Sorry. I’m sure Connor is here.” Isn’t he?
We walk in.
Connor is cuffed and strapped to the bed with a muzzle over his mouth. Bloodshot, beautiful mismatched eyes blaze with fury. His nostrils flare, his lungs trying to breathe through all the rage.
He shakes. The bed moves. Connor’s talking behind the muzzle. It makes him cough and choke. I rush to him and free his mouth.
“I thought they sedated you,” I say.
“They did.”
Maybe sedatives don’t work on him. Are there people like that? I touch his face, neck, shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“Get me the fuck out of this bed.” He coughs, spitting out blood.
Declan uncuffs Connor while I unbuckle the bed straps.
“I’m going to burn this fucking city to the ground!” Declan shouts. He dials someone and presses his phone against his ear. “Set it all on fire. All of it!”
Instinctively, I know he means Rount Maletia. “Wait a minute,” I say. “Not all of it. Not any of it. I live here.” Connor jumps out of the bed. The flimsy hospital gown almost falls off. Declan walks behind Connor and fastens the gown.
“Seriously?” Connor asks his brother. “You could have brought me pants.”
“Nope, you’re walking out of here in a gown. They’re filming, so I hope you’re ready.”
Declan shoves weapons at Connor. Connor takes them and steps toward the door, but winces and wobbles. “My head hurts like hell.”
“Aww,” Declan says. “I feel so bad for you. Not!”
Uh-oh. They’re going to fight. “Excus—” I try to say.
Connor interrupts. “Don’t be mad.”
“I’m furious!” Declan shouts at the top of his lungs.
Connor looks his brother up and down. “You’re so scary when you’re mad.”
Declan lifts his middle finger.
“Are you guys really arguing now?” I ask.
They turn to me. “Yes,” they answer.
“Okay, I’ll meet you outside when you’re done. But before I go, rescind the order for the city burn.”
