Page 125 of Crimson Flames

I didn’t mean to say the words out loud, but the realization is such a shock that I don’t know how to process it. Boris’ hand lands on my shoulder, but even that feels muted as I stare at the weapon of a girl in front of me.

She’s strong, her features fierce even when she cracks a joke. She reminds me of Damien in that way, but she also reminds me of Ronan. My hand twitches to raise my weapon as the girl looks around the room and then steps towards me.

“The tea?” she asks, her voice not giving away her emotions.

All I can do is nod, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat.

She shrugs her shoulders, defeat taking over her features as she shakes her head.

“Then do what you have to do.”

Worry glazes over her eyes as they connect with mine, and for a brief moment, it’s as if our souls touch one another. I can feel her, and she feels so much like me that my anger and anxiety calm in an instant.

Taking a step back, I gesture towards the door with my arm. “What Iwantto do is get you somewhere safe, if you’ll come with us.”

Her brows pinch, confusion written all over her face as Boris wraps an arm around me from behind.

“We, of all people, know that you are not who these men have tried to force you to be. With us, you get a second chance.”

The girl looks from me to Boris, then to the rest of the group before glancing at the boys behind her.

“Well, what are you idiots waiting for? Let’s get out of here.”

Chapter 48

Everything is going well. Better than well actually.

“Your plan was good,” I tell Cillian as we walk out of the building. Lev is making his way to us in the van, since we now have four unconscious kids and one knocked out guard with us.

I checked in on Kai who was doing a final sweep of surveillance to make sure we got everyone.

“Thanks, Old Man.” Cillian stretches his arms above his head. “Just wait till you see what else I’ve got planned.”

I nearly drop the kid hanging over my shoulder.

“There’s more?” I ask, eyes darting around the property.

Before he can answer, static comes through the comms, causing us all to pause.

“Lev?” Damien questions.

No answer.

“Kai?” Nessa says, voice thick with frantic energy.

I cannot even reach out to comfort her, so I place the kid down and walk to her side.

“Lisich-” My words are cut off by the sound of a gunshot coming from where we left the vans.

Without thought, Cillian, Nessa, and I take off at top speed. Damien is right behind us. My lungs ache as we get closer and closer, my limbs moving faster than they have in my entire life.

This cannot be happening. No one else can die.

Panting breaths are all that can be heard when we get to the van, the door broken off and hanging by just one of the hinges.

“Kai!” Nessa screams, leaping into the vehicle. I draw my weapon, prepared to fight anyone and anything that may be in the way here.

“No!” Damien yells as he grabs Lev’s shoulder and pulls him up. Blood is all over the keyboard and splattered across some of the screens. “Baby! Baby!”

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