Page 146 of The Heart

She was only twenty-two years old.

I look up at Leena, her now silent tears still streaming down her face, and my heart fucking breaks.

How did I go from holding the two people I love, so grateful and relieved that they’re alive and safe only a few minutes ago, tothis.

My heart sinks when I think about my sisters.Fuck.I can’t even imagine losing them. I wouldn’t wish that heartache on anyone, especially not my Leena. I squeeze my eyes shut.

Right now, all I want to do is pull her into my arms and tell her that everything will be okay, and for it to be the truth. But I have no doubt what Ryan and Ava will find on the police scanners.

I remember how it felt, almost losing Sebastian, and there’s nothing but pain in my chest when I do.

My eyes wander back to him, and I study the hard lines of his strained face.

I wonder why I’ve held back from giving myself to him. I’ve been pretending it’s because I’ve never done that before, that I’m not sure if I would like it, but I know that’s just an excuse.

I suppose I didn’t trust him with my heart. Didn’t know if he felt as strongly about me as I do him. So I haven’t let myself be open with him, not really, even though he has done everything to be open with me. I’ll never forget that first time with him, how he was willing to take that step long before either of us knew what we really meant to each other or where it would take us.

I think about everything we’ve lost, or almost lost, how it could all be taken away at any moment. I don’t want to miss out on a second of this life with him. With Leena.

I think it’s far past time I give myself to him.

“This probably isn’t the best time for this…” Ryan says through our headsets.

“What is it, Chen?” Sebastian says, his tone flat.

“Gray didn’t check in. We’re a few hours past when he was supposed to.”

I keep my eyes closed. I focus on my breathing. Then I run a hand over my face in frustration.Fuck.

Jace has been on time for every check in so far. The only reason he wouldn’t this time is if hecouldn’t.I glance over at Sebastian, finding the same worry in his eyes.

“What’s the plan?” Colton asks, but there’s no trace of that ever-present humor as he stares out the front window.

“Jace. Let’s go get Jace. I can’t lose him too,” Leena barely whispers.

My jaw grows tighter, hating the pain I hear in her voice. I glance up toward her. Colton is looking at her too. Then, he reaches out a hand to hold hers. I watch her take it, gripping it tightly. I’m suddenly grateful for whatever this thing is between the two of them. He and Jace are close, so I’m grateful that she can be here for him, and he for her. That we can all be here for each other.

And Leena’s right.

It’s time to bring Jace home.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

LEENA

Idon’t know how long I’ve been crying.

I feel numb.

I can’t even consider the possibility that Jace is gone too. He risked his life to save my sister, and it was all for fucking nothing. So we’re getting him out.

That’s it.

We have to get him out. Because I can’t erase the images rolling through my head of that yacht, torn into a million flaming pieces. The yacht that Ryan confirmed was the same one Colton was trailing earlier.The yacht that my sister more than likely–

Colton grabs my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. Jace is like a brother to him, I realize. A mutual understanding of sorrow passes between us as his fingers interlace with mine and we hold each other tight.

We stare out the front window as he takes us inland, to where we will load up every single fucking weapon we brought. My stomach drops, realizing the risk we’re all about to take getting Jace out of there. But I don’t fucking care.

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