Once inside, I drop to my knees, flick the lighter and…nothing happens.
“No!” Again and again, I drag my thumb down the edge of the lighter as sweat beads at my brow and mingles with tears I don’t even feel anymore. Again and again andagainuntil finally a flame chokes into existence. It’s weak but it’s there.
“I’m sorry,” I gasp. “I’m so so sorry. I’m sorry!” Following Pidge’s instructions, I lower the flame to the gunpowder trail nearFalco’s navel. I’ve barely reached it when the gunpowder ignites, sending me scrambling back against the dresser in fright.
The gunpowder fizzes and hisses, glowing a bright orange while the flame sweeps across the messy gunpowder path and burns over the weeping wound. Falco suddenly shifts, groaning despite being unconscious, so I abandon the light and clutch at his cold hand, watching in horror as the gunpowder burns. The most sickening burnt smell fills the air.
As quickly as it starts, it’s over and there’s nothing but silence and the gross stink of singed hair and burnt skin.
There’s no more bleeding.
“Falco?”
Reaching for his face, I pet his cheek and chin, but he doesn’t respond. Not even a flutter of his eyes. Just as I move closer, a sudden crash sounds from deeper in the cabin and my heart leaps into my throat. Another crash, followed by a third and a fourth. I kick the bedroom door shut with my foot.
Terror grips me so tightly I can’t breathe. Grabbing Falco’s gun again, I clench it in both hands and face the door, raising it and positioning myself between Falco and the door.
He protected me.
I’m protecting him.
Even if we both die here, I’ll die protecting him like he’s protected me.
The gun rattles in my trembling grip even as I clench my teeth. The loud banging suddenly turns into rhythmic pounding and then…a voice.
“Aerin?”
It draws me instantly to my feet and I wrench the door open. “Pidge?”
24
AERIN
“Here.” Rex stands over me with a steaming mug of tea in his hands. When I don’t move, he leans down and places it in front of me with a hand on my shoulder. “Drink it, Aerin. Trust me.”
Pidge sits across from me, his lips pressed flat together while worry lines twitch and weave across his frowning face.
Behind him, the single light on the back porch highlights the five bodies visible through the cracked door, each one covered in a blanket.
I still can’t believe Falco fought so many people to protect me.
Bullet’s in the next room with Falco putting his years as a combat medic to good use.
The chair next to me creaks as Rex lowers his bulky form into the seat.
To keep up the pretense that I’m okay, I pick up the hot cup and take a sip. The moment the hot liquid touches the back of my throat, I break into a coughing fit.
“Is there alcohol in this?” I gasp.
“You need it,” Rex replies. “It’ll make you feel better.”
“Bullshit.” Pidge leans forward suddenly, placing one arm on the table between us. “Tell me what happened here.”
“You first,” I say after another careful sip. “How are you even here? You were on the phone with me and now you’re here and I don’t understand.”
Rex and Pidge exchange a glance. “I’m here for the same reason you called me and not your father.”
My heart skips a beat and instantly it clicks in my mind. “Falco doesn’t trust my family, does he?”
