Her hair’s all over the place, tangled strands of gold, stuck to her lips, her cheek. I watch her sleep. I’m not thinking about anything good. My mind’s constantly circling, thinking about how many highways we’ve put between us and the city, how long until O’Grady’s men catch up. How long until I get her killed? Because that’s what this is, right? Borrowed time. A countdown, and I keep stealing seconds I don’t deserve.
My phone vibrates on the nightstand. It’s been dead quiet since we left, but now it’s going nuts…buzz after buzz, a steady, ugly reminder of the life I’m trying to run from. I reach for it and squint through the cracked screen at the overwhelming sight ofO’Grady’s name, displayed over and over. Missed calls, texts. There’s another number I don’t recognize lighting up, again and again. Instantly, my gut goes cold.
Trent.
Then, there’s a text that pops up, confirming my suspicions.
Unknown number: Call me back ASAP on this number. I’m using a burner. It’s about O’Grady.
Shit.
I slip out from under Lennon, careful not to wake her, and step out onto the rusted balcony. The air is cold and sharp, the city a distant smear of orange. My hands are now shaking, whether from the chill or something else, I don’t know. I dial the unknown number, and Trent picks up after one ring. His voice is thinner than usual, roughened around the edges. “Jesus, Jack. It took you long enough.”
“What’s going on? What happened?” My voice comes out harsher than I mean.
“You got O’Grady’s boys crawling through my place last night.” Trent’s voice is rough, like he’s spitting blood between the words. “They tore the place apart looking for you. Didn’t care who was home, didn’t care if I bled all over the carpet. I told them I didn’t know shit, but they weren’t buying it. Thought I was covering for your ass. So they made sure I got the message.”
I grip the railing until my knuckles ache. “Trent. Jesus. Are you alright?”
He laughs, sounding broken. “Got a couple of ribs cracked, face looks like I went three rounds with a fucking meat grinder. My nose is busted. One eye’s swollen shut. But I’ll live. For now, anyway.”
There’s a long silence. I swallow hard, guilt burning in my gut. I want to put my fist through the wall. “Fuck. I’m sorry, man. I never wanted?—”
“Yeah?” Trent cuts me off, voice sharp, that old bitterness finally spilling out. “Well, you sure as shit picked a hell of a time to throw your fucking life away for a girl. What the fuck, Jack? This isn’t you. You barely know her, and you’re ready to burn down everything for her? For what, some sweet piece of ass and a couple of soft nights?”
His words hit me like a punch. I clench my teeth, jaw tight. “Don’t talk about her like that. That’s not how it is. You don’t get it.”
He barks out another laugh. “You’re damn right I don’t get it. I’ve seen what O’Grady does to traitors, Jack. I know what comes next. You think you’re untouchable? You think just because you’re O’Grady’s golden boy, you get a pass? You’re not fucking invincible. You’re dragging me into this shit, and for what? What makes her so different?”
For a second, I can’t breathe. The answer’s there, raw and aching in my chest. But all I can say, my voice strangled, is, “She’s not like anyone, Trent. I can’t let her go. I won’t.”
Trent’s quiet for a long moment, and I can hear his shaky breath on the line. “Then you’d better be ready to bleed for her, Jack. Because you just signed both our death warrants.”
My fist tightens as I stare out at the empty parking lot, watching a stray dog nose through garbage. “I can’t explain it. I just know I can’t let her go. I’m not giving her up, Trent. Not to O’Grady, not to anyone.”
I almost think he’s hung up, but then he sighs. “You sound like a damn idiot. But I trust you. Even if I think you’re insane. You need to lie low, and I mean really low. Not just in some roach-infested motel, either. Listen, I got a place you guys can go. A family cabin out past the county line. Nobody will find you there. I’ll send you the directions. And Jack, don’t use your own cards, your own phone. I’ll have someone from the staff stock the place before you get there. Clothes, food, burner phone, theworks. Stay put, and for the love of God, don’t do anything else stupid.”
Relief hits me so hard I have to grip the railing tighter. “Trent…man…thank you. I mean it.”
He grunts. “Don’t thank me yet. I’m risking my neck for you. You owe me. And if you don’t die, I’ll kill you myself.”
“I hear you.” I mean it more than I’ve ever meant anything. Family isn’t always blood.
We hang up.
I stare at the phone, running my thumb over the cracked glass, heart pounding. I want nothing more than to smash it, but I need it for now. I take a deep breath, let the cold soak into my bones, and try to scrape the guilt off my skin. Trent’s my brother, and I dragged him into my bullshit. I owe him big time. But Lennon, she’s the line I can’t cross back from.
I step back into the room. Lennon’s awake now, eyes wide, sitting up. She pulls her knees to her chest, hair wild. She blinks at me, all sleep and questions.
“We have to go,” I say. My voice is rough. “Now. Pack your stuff.”
She doesn’t ask why. She never does, just moves, stuffing her things into that ratty backpack of hers. I watch her, and something pulls tight in my chest. She trusts me, even now, after everything I’ve put her through. I don’t deserve it, but I’ll die before I betray it.
We’re in the truck ten minutes later, me behind the wheel, Lennon silent beside me. The old hotel fades in the rearview as rain begins to spatter against the windshield, the world gray. My hands are steady on the wheel, even though my head’s a fucking mess.
She finally breaks the silence.
“Jack. Where are we going?”
