Page 49

Except for that.

Anxiety bunched my insides, and I warred with what to say. Every part of myself was at odds with the other.

But there was one side that came out on top.

Me

No, man. We can’t force her back behind those walls when she just got free of them.

Silas

And look what happens the second she gets on the other side.

A swell of protectiveness rose up from within.

Me

No one is going to get close to her with me standing in front of her.

It took a second for another message to buzz through.

Silas

I don’t like it.

Brody

Me, neither.

Anxiety had my tongue swiping over my lips.

Me

None of us do, but this is our situation. The life we chose. And it’s our responsibility to handle the bullshit that comes our way so the rest of the world can live in safety and normalcy. Your sister included.

She will already be back there tomorrow night for the run. It’s already fucking with her freedom.

I could sense Silas’s hesitation. My oldest and best friend was terrified for his sister.

I got it.

Understood it.

But he knew as well as I did he couldn’t coerce her into conforming. Couldn’t shove her back into a box where she didn’t fit.

She was too big and bright for that.

One way or another, she was going to bust out from it.

I let my fingers fly across the screen.

Me

You gave me this job. You have to let me finish it. I won’t let anyone hurt her. Not ever again.

The oath resonated through me like a deep, resounding clang.

Me