Page 131 of Brutal Game

“I can’t,” he heaved, “get the door open.”

Something on fire fell from the rafters.

“Jack, don’t?—”

“We don’t have much time!” he yelled over the roaring flames. “I’m getting you out of here.”

“With you,” I cried.

He shook his head, picking me up in that bride carry he liked so much, making my heart shatter into tiny pieces.

“No, little fury,” he said sadly. “I don’t think I can get us both out of here.”

“What do you mean?” he was carrying me over to the window.

“Like I said, not enough time.”

“You’re coming with me,” I insisted. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Aviva, you are. I refuse to let you die in here with me.”

“I’m not leaving you!” I screamed. Or tried to. “You don’t get to make that choice!”

“You are not dying. What did I say to you before, little fury? You don’t get to make the decisions anymore. I love you.”

And then he was breaking the window, with the same shattering sound as my heart, and pushing me out of it.

I turned my head at the last moment—just as another flaming rafter dropped…

…right on top of him.

“No! Jack!”

I fell, and fell, and fell.

Even after I saw the rafter fall, I still expected him to follow.

Hehadto follow.

But he didn’t.

“Jack!” I screamed again, as I was caught by a pair of strong arms and carried away.

I looked up. I was surrounded by Isaac, Judah, and Levi.

“We have to go back!” I yelled at them. “We have to go back for him.”

Isaac shook his head, jaw tight, as he took me away from the fire. Away from Jack. Away from the only man I’d ever truly loved.

“We have to go back,” I sobbed.

“He made me promise to take care of you. So that’s what I’m doing. Taking care of you.”

“Where are the ambulances?” Judah asked.

“On their way,” his twin replied.

I tried to fight Isaac, but he was as strong as the rest ofthem. He held me easily as we both stared at Hallister Hall. The old athletics administrative building was engulfed in flames, red and orange burning bright against the night. I willed the door to open, for Jack to stumble out. But the doors remained closed, and Jack remained absent. I sank to the ground, screaming, sobbing, I wasn’t sure. Was that shrieking, keening, wailing sound me?

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