Gabriel jolts upright, arms outstretched like he’s ready to catch me. But it’s too late for that. I’m not here anymore.
“Noah, love. Come here, sweetheart. Please don’t leave like this.” His voice is softer now—less sharp, less insistent. Just… broken.
The urge to stay hits me like a punch to the chest. It’s almost as loud as the voice in my head.
I falter mid-step. God, I want to stay. I really do. I want him to hold me. To make love to me. Toloveme. And erase everything I’m not strong enough to face.
I wipe the tears from my eyes, smear the snot from my nose.
How can this be happening? I trusted him. Trusted him enough to come out of the rain—and that aloneterrifiesme.
“Noah…” He breathes my name, shaky, pleading.
Maybe I should stay. Just long enough to let him explain.
You really should,Noah.Give him a chance.
“Shutup!”
I shake my head hard, like I can rattle the voice loose and shake it free. But it just bounces around, louder and louder, echoing through the hollow parts of me.
Fat tears fall like they’ve been waiting for this moment. Waiting for me to fall apart.
“I can’t do this right now.” My voice cracks as I spit salty tears from my lips, my whole body trembling.
I wish this never happened.
I wish I’d never been kidnapped.
I wish the family who came for me had actually reached me.
I wish I could go back.
Back to the moment before everything broke.
Back to where I was supposed to fall into the arms of my brother instead of the hands of a monster.
Why God?Why?
A sob rips through me. I choke on phlegm and tears and slam my eyes shut—retreating into the only place that still feels safe.
The only place that hides my tears.
The only place where no one can see me break.
I grab the door, wrench it open, force my eyes open, and walk… into the rain.
13
ALEX
“No me gusta la comida.”I take a dramatic bow after reciting my newly learned Spanish phrase.
Elijah doubles over in laughter.
“What?” I ask, arms falling to my sides. “Am I not saying it right?”
I know damn well I am. I’ve been practicing. Nonstop.
