Page 63 of As the World Falls

The man falls to the ground, dropping the gun as both his hands fly to the wound on his head. I didn’t break any skin,thankfully. I wasn’t trying to murder the guy, for heaven's sake, but I needed him to, like, not kill my brother.

Tobias keeps his gun aimed at Hodge as he looks over his shoulder to see the commotion. His eyes widen in fear when they land on me, then widen even more in surprise when he sees the boot in my hand and the man on the ground.

“Grab the gun,” Tobias demands, and I scramble to the ground, picking the gun up and holding it with both hands before the guy comes to and tries to take it back. I hold it with shaky hands and aim down at the man on the pavement.

This was not real life. I was not actually aiming a gun at somebody after I clobbered him with my fucking heeled boot. But it is, and I did, in fact, do that.

The guy stirs on the ground and blinks his eyes open slowly, and when he sees me aiming his own gun at his face, an expression of surprise that fades to disgust washes over his face. He tries to stand, but I shake the gun in his direction.

“Don’t freaking move,” I screech. “I will shoot your freaking face off.” I wouldn’t, but I knew threats could go a long way in these situations. Not like I’ve been in a situation like this before in my life. This was fucking crazy.

Tobias takes a few steps away from us to monitor all surroundings. “Give me the ledger,” he demands to Hodge, looking back at him. I stay focused on the man in front of me, although it’s hard knowing my brother was at my side, also holding a gun at someone else. All I wanted to do was look at him. To protect him, although I guess I was technically doing that now, so I keep my stern gaze trained on the stranger at my feet, a strange comfort washing over me as I protect my brother as I’ve always done.

Hodge grumbles something I can’t understand, and then I hear the commotion of what sounds like the ledger being exchanged. Then I feel a soft tap on my shoulder. “Turn aroundand walk back to the car. I have your back, but keep your eyes focused on any movement in front of you. Do not let go of your gun.”

I nod, slowly taking a step backward before turning around completely. I finally look at Tobias now, and I’m awe-struck at the way he’s holding the gun out, his hard eyes trained on the men in front of him. He wore a black leather jacket, a navy blue shirt, and dark jeans. He looked…kind of cool right now. He looked, for the first time ever, like my older brother—one who could take care of me instead of me taking care of him.

I walk back to the car, my eyes bouncing everywhere like another man would jump out of a bush or something. When I get back into the car and finally take a deep breath, Tobias quickly jumps in and peels out of the neighborhood.

“Holy shit, I can’t believe we actually caught him bringing it to Mayor Fireux,” I gasped in relief.

“We’re some lucky mother fuckers,” he agrees.

“I think I’m going to throw up.”

He whips his head toward me. “I just got my car detailed. You better fucking not.”

“What are you? Some rich tool now?”

“I’ve worked hard for the nice things I have. Keep the contents in your stomach exactly where they are.”

I roll my eyes and look out of the window. “Where are we going now?”

“I’m taking you back to Boston.”

“At this hour?”

“Sleep on the way there if you want, but I’m not wasting any time getting you back to where you belong.”

“It’s also where you belong.”

“Don’t start,” he grumbles.

“Tobias—”

“No,” he bites out. “This is where I belong, Lia. Nothing you can do will change that.”

Heartbreak invades my chest. I ignore him now, turning toward the car door and leaning my head on the window as I let sleep take me away from this nightmare.

Chapter Twenty-One

Cecilia

I had nothing good to snack on in this god-forsaken apartment. I really needed to go to the grocery store and stock up. All my time in the city put me in a drought back home.

I glance out the window and note the pouring rain outside before I walk to my shoe rack and grab my dark purple rain boots off it. I slip them on my feet over my jeans and throw on my rain jacket, which I tried to wear any chance I could get. It was black with purple, blue, and white flowers scattered all over it, and I thought it was a work of art.

I tied my hair up in a quick bun before heading to the door to leave. My main priorities at the store were sugary drinks and comfort food for dinner. Now that I was back home after a whirlwind couple of weeks in the city, I needed a quiet night in with a nice home-cooked meal.

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