Page 143 of Rest In Pieces

“Don’t even try it. Just to hold on. I’m coming for you.”

“No, G. It’s too dangerous. Please, I don’t want anything to happen to you. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

“Sorry, baby, but that’s one promise I can’t make.”

“Havoc, you have to stop him.”

“I can’t, Amity.”

“Please, you have to try. Blade would. Order him not to come for me, Havoc,” I plead.

“Blade’s not the president anymore, sweetheart. I am. If you were mine, nothing would stop me from coming for you.”

I cry harder, feeling helpless and hating it. I feel the rope move. “Stop.”

“Amity, you can’t hold on forever. I have to get to you somehow.”

“If it moves too much, I’ll slip. I’m already shaking. I think I’m in shock,” I tell him, my teeth chattering.

I try to focus my thoughts. He’s coming for me, no matter what. I need to figure out how to help.

“There’s a second rope behind you. Use that. And there are some gloves on the ground up there somewhere. Use those so you don’t cut your hands up.”

“Alright. Hold on, baby. We’ll be with you soon.”

I can’t help but snort at the ridiculousness of it all. “I’ll be here,” I whisper, hoping that’s true.

My hand starts to cramp, but I ignore it for a moment, listening to them talk above me.

“Go slow. You won't do Amity any favors if you fall. If you die, she dies too, so keep your shit together. We’re not taking any chances here. So, let’s wrap the rope around me. I’ll help keep it steady and take some of your weight.”

“Havoc—”

“That’s an order, G, as your president.”

It’s quiet for a moment. I know G’s thinking about the danger to Havoc. If he slips and Havoc’s tied to him, he could be pulled over the edge too.

Eventually, G replies, “Yes, sir.”

After that, my attention drifts, the pain in my arm making everything hazy. “Just hold on,” I mumble. That’s all I need to focus on right now. Nothing else matters.

So that’s what I do. I hold on and ignore the pain and the shakes and the mind-numbing fear and focus on my grip and my breathing.

I hear G coming and feel pebbles rain down from above. I keep repeating my mantra to hold on. I’m scared G will fall, so I find myself praying to a god I stopped believing in a long time ago.

“I’m coming, Amity. I need something to focus on. Talk to me.”

“About what?” My voice comes out shaky, but at least it’s still working.

“Anything. I just need to hear you.”

“I think we should name our firstborn after Havoc.”

“Amity Regan Hollis, if this is your way of telling me you want to adopt babies with me?—”

My laughter cuts him off, surprising us both. “I’m talking hypotheticals.”

“Alright, I’m game, but you can explain it to Blade.”

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