In a steely calm, I seethe at myformerbest friend. “Kenzie, you didn’thelpbreak my heart. You broke it entirely, all on your own. If I was a shell of myself for years, it was because of whatyoudid. Regardless of your flimsy reasons, you viciously betrayed meandyour brother. Youactivelydestroyed something beautiful. Nothing you say will ever justify that. Notwith me. Fool yourself all you want. I’m done being manipulated by you.”
“But—”
“No buts, Kenzie. I’m not a disposable afterthought. My feelings matter becauseImatter.” I stomp my foot to release some of my ire. “Contrary to what you may think, Idon’texist to make you happy or be your kicking can. I’m sorry I never saw this sooner, but it turns out that I’m worthy of the type of love that I readily give to others. No friendship or relationship is worth being a victim of this type of manipulation and your constant belittling. Even as you stand here now, you’re making me feel inferior as if I earned or caused your deceit.”
“That isn’t what I meant. You’re twisting my words. I’m sorry I hurt you. I was trying to explain. I know it’s my fault.Pleaseforgive me. I’m apologizing. What more do you want? How else can I make this right?”
“Forgive you?” I scoff, unwilling to temper my outrage for her benefit for another second. “Forgiveness has its limits. You’ve proven time and time again that you don’t value me as a person or a friend. I’d rather be alone than be treated like I don’t matter.”
Even if Reed and I don’t last, I’m choosing myself. I refuse to cling to her just so I don’t have to be alone.
“Lila, please,” she begs half-heartedly.
“It’s time for you to leave.”
She crosses her arms at her chest. “No.”
When she doesn’t budge, I raise my voice at her for the first time. “Kenzie, I don’t want you here.We are done.”
In the corner of my eye, I see Kri inching into the room. I hold out my palm to her because I don’t need her to fight my battles. Not this one, anyhow.
I stomp toward the door, unlock it, and fling it open for Kenzie. “Get. Out. Now.”
Kri appears at my side two seconds later, placing herself between me and the empty hallway. To her credit, she wisely doesn’t intervene in my interaction with Kenzie. She’s simply here to protect me from Silas and his goons.
With that thought, I cut my gaze back to Kenzie.
She was taken by Silas. If I’m in danger because I’m a loose end, then what does that make her?
While I might not want to ever see her again, I don’t want her to die.
Crap.
Unaware of my floundering thoughts, Kenzie storms out the door before I can wave Kri back inside.
“Kenzie, wait!”
She freezes right on the other side of the threshold, keeping her back to me. “What?”
“It’s probably not a good idea for you to leave with Silas out there causing havoc. As much as I want you to go, you should stay. It’s safer here.”
She slowly pivots to face me, revealing an eerie expression. “Too late. You’ve already made it clear where I stand with you. If I die, I die. What’s it to you?”
Her words cut like a knife, slicing right along the scar I’ve had since I was seven.
All I can do is watch her stride down the hall. The idea of Kenzie falling victim to Silas for a second time steals my breath.
Kri ushers me back into the safety of Reed’s condo. No clue how much time passes as I stand in the foyer, completely frozen.
No. Not frozen.
Empty.
However, I refuse to stay this way. I’m more than the broken little girl who watched her sister tumble over the edge. And I’ll be dammed if I watch another one fall.
Blinking out of the regret, I lock my focus on Kri. “You need to send Aaron after her for protection. She’s just as much at risk as I am.”
Kri’s jaw clenches. “I can’t do that. You’re my charge. Not her.”
