Page 149 of Riordan's Revenge

I was nothing to her now, though she was everything to me.

One of the cops joined our party, and Sinclair lifted his attention from Cassie, his expression neutralising. “What the fuck do ye want, Kenney?”

Struan left the huddle and came to me. “Hurt?”

Dully, I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

At least not physically. Emotionally, I’d died a hundred times today and wasn’t done yet.

A rumble came from behind us, and someone screamed.

“The rest of the tower’s going to go. Pull back,” one of the other cops yelled.

We beat it to a safe distance, near the skeleton crew cars, Kenney coming with us.

Cassie struggled awake. “There’s someone inside.”

She pushed at Sin’s chest. He let her down but kept an arm around her.

The tower shuddered and collapsed inwards, dust and heat reaching us even in our safer position.

The cop snorted. “If there was, they’re flame-grilled and tenderised now. Better for my crime scene if I don’t have to send anyone in on a rescue.”

Cassie hung her head, sorrow etched into her features and her arms bracing her brother’s. Then her gaze found me. Her eyes widened, and she broke away from him. I caught her in a selfish hug I had no right to claim.

“I thought I imagined ye.”

“You didn’t.”

“Ye saved my life.”

The hurt in my chest rebounded and echoed through me. I released her and shoved my hands into my pockets, forcing myself to back away. “Don’t mention it.”

Alone on the road, with scratches on her arms and fire in her eyes, Cassie stared at me. “What’s wrong?”

Everything. Everything was wrong.

“Go back to your family.”

“No. I want ye.”

My very soul ached. “We broke up. I’m not yours to want anymore.”

“No.”

“Yes. It’s over. I need to go.”

Cassie’s eyes filled with emotion, and she took in a rushed breath then turned and walked away.

Somehow during the course of the evening, she’d changed her mind over what happened between us. I had no idea how she’d come to be here, but I couldn’t stay and watch her take comfort from me only to break up with me for a second time when the shock wore off. It would kill me all over again.

I’d left my bike on the other side of the structure. Under the cover of the settling dust, the wailing of new emergency vehicles,and the building crowd, I’d retrieve it and get the fuck out of here.

Putting my head down, I passed her and the group. Arran called my name. Cassie was arguing with the cop. I kept going.

“Just give them to me, Kenney. I don’t give a fuck who sees,” she snarled.

I didn’t stop.

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