Interrupting these thoughts, a voice came over the intercom. A voice I hated more than any I had ever heard.
“This message is for you,” Julian said. “Yeah, you. You know who the hell you are. I’ve got your stupid little brother, the one you pretended to love and then stabbed in the back. That’s right: Mr. Basketball Team Captain, Mr. Hot Stuff, the asshole who thought he could have his way with my girl and there wouldn’t be consequences.”
I heard a blow, followed by a groan.
“Taylor Di Bianco, do you have any last words?”
As Kam stuck her head in through the skylight and looked at me with horror, I heard Taylor’s voice, his throat dry, his tone agonized:Get her out of here, Thiago…
They’d kill him, I knew it. And there was no way I was going to let that happen.
“Kami,” Julian went on, “if you don’t come here right now, I’ll kill him. And I’ll kill his brother, too. And then I’ll findyourlittle brother, and I’ll do the same thing…”
When I saw Kami starting to climb back in, I shouted, “No! Get out of here, Kamila. I’ll go get Taylor.”
“He’s going to kill you both, Thiago! I’m the one he wants. I’m not going to stand by and let this happen.”
“Goddammit, Kam, no!”
I pulled the ladder away and looked up at her. “Get your brother out of here. That’s your obligation. And I’ll do the same for mine.” I turned around. I didn’t want to argue, I didn’t want to hear her protest, I didn’t want her to feel tempted to jump down. She would do it, she was that brave, or that crazy, and I wasn’t willing to risk it. I heard her yelling, “Thiago, no!” But by then, I was already out the door.
It was happening. Now came the worst part.
I didn’t have much to defend myself with, just a pry bar and a knife from the kitchen. I knew what I was doing was suicidal, but what other choice did I have? I couldn’t leave Taylor there. I wouldn’t abandon him. I would stay by his side until the end. That’s what brothers do. Strong as the urge was to turn around, climb to safety, take care of Kam, all I could think of just then was my mother, her grief. Losing either of us would kill her.
I had exactly one option, and that was to try. If I gave up now, the knowledge that I had been a coward would haunt me for the rest of my life.
I walked back through the halls. They were silent. How many had died today? How many families would be destroyed?
The question enraged me. My rage was a fire within. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through me, urging me to make a choice.
I might die today. It was likely that I would. But I’d do everything in my power to take those bastards along with me.
