Page 26 of When the Living Fall

When Emily emerges, I hand her a soda and a chocolate bar. She raises an eyebrow, glancing past me to the busted vending machines and then down at my bulging pockets. I shift my hips to bring something else into her line of sight, and when she looks back up at me, I smirk and gesture to the scattered loot behind me.

“Help yourself. I’ll send the other two in to get the rest. They can work for their snacks.” I turn, leading the way back to the car, my grin on full display and pride shining through. I’ve got Debbie, I’ve got snacks, and I’ve got Emily back. This is turning out to be a pretty good day.

17

EMILY

We’re so close now that the strap of the bag feels like it’s on fire in my hand, my fingers fidgeting with it, worn leather biting into my skin. I can almost feel the insulin inside, as if clutching it could make this all easier.

“Stop fidgeting, or I’m going to take that away from you,” Griffin’s voice rumbles from the seat in front of me.

“You can’t even see me,” I snap back.

“I don’t have to. I can hear it.”

My brows furrow, and I open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off.

“And I can see you clear as day in the mirror.”

I let go of the strap with a huff and give the back of his seat a firm smack.

“Thank you,” he drawls, voice laden with humor. “I didn’t realize a free massage was part of the deal.”

“You’re a jerk,” I mutter under my breath.

William’s eyes catch mine in the rearview mirror while he’s driving. “Why are you so nervous?”

There’s a beat of silence before I sigh and glance down, now twisting my fingers together in my lap. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

When I look back up in the silence, Griffin’s gaze meets mine in the mirror. For a moment, his expression softens. “What makes you think that?”

“What if…” I hesitate when a lump rises in my throat. “What if they kill you?”

“Oh, princess, haven’t you figured it out yet? We’re not that easy to kill.”

Max chuckles from beside me, his manic grin almost boyish. “Take Griffin, for example. He’s been half a dead man walking since he got hurt, but he’s still kicking like a newborn calf.”

Griffin rolls his eyes. “Thanks, Max. Very poetic.”

“Anytime, G.”

I throw my hand out in front of me, my eyes fixed on the landscape outside. “Stop.”

We all lurch forward, our seatbelts pulling tight across our chests, when William slams on the break. He looks around with wild concern. “What is it?”

I take a deep breath. My fingers curl around the door handle. “We’re close enough. We should pull over and hide the car.”

The guys all glance at each other, their faces lined with a mixture of uncertainty and tension. William speaks first. “Emily, I don’t see anything. Are you sure?”

I give a quick nod. “Trust me. If you could see anything, then we’d already be too close.”

“Emily—”

“That’s the point, Griffin.” I cut him off, my voice sharper than intended. “The road leads directly to the gate, and they’ll have guards stationed there. Strangers are unwelcome. Honestly, I don’t even know what kind of reception they’ll give me.” I release the seatbelt and take a steadying breath. “If I walk in alone, it’ll be easier to handle. I just need a chance to speak with Richard first.”

Griffin’s voice hardens. “Richard is the leader, I take it?”

I grimace. “Yeah. A real douchebag, but I’ll do what I can to smooth things over.”

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