Page 88 of Burn With Me

Without hesitation. And that’s something I can’t let happen. “I know I’m fucking stupid,” I admit. “I know she’s become a weakness, but I can’t…” There are no words, no excuses for how absolutely dangerous my feelings for her are. My hands clench into fists at my sides, my nails stabbing into my palms as if to wake me up from the hypnotic trance she’s got me under. “She knows he’s dangerous, but she doesn’t knowhowdangerous. She thinks I’m using her—and maybe that’s how it started—but I can’t continue knowing what it’ll do to her.” Knowing I could get her killed. “Damien knows, he knows about us.”

“He’ll use her against you,” Shep states. It’s not a question but a statement of fact. At least, it is to him.

“You have us,” Paris says, dropping the papers from his grip to the coffee table. “Whatever you need, we’re here.”

“I can’t say that I’m happy she’s involved,” Shep says as he, too, lowers the documents in his hand. He sets them next to Paris’. “And I can’t say you shouldn’t walk away from her. Abandoning her would be the easiest and safest course of action.”

“I can’t.” Not won’t, but physically—I don’t think I could leave Aurora behind even if I wanted to.

Shep sighs and groans as he rocks back on his heels and crosses his arms. “Then, fuck it.” He grits the words through his teeth, closing and then reopening his eyes before leveling me with a dark look. “Yeah, we’re in.I’min. We’ll help you get the evidence you need. Whatever you fucking need.”

“It’ll be dangerous.” I offer the warning, despite already knowing their response. It’s only fair that they understand the risks. “The reception might seem safe because it’s semi-public, but the second Damien finds out about any of this—that I know, that I’m working with the Feds, that Aurora is close to this—it could mean him choosing to take us all out.”

Shep arches a brow at me. “Doesn’t fucking matter,” he says. “I said we’re in—Paris said we’re in. That’s the end of it.” He lowers his arms. “Isaac—we’re brothers. Maybe not by blood but by fucking fate.” He claps me on the back. “Now tell us how the hell we’re gonna pull this shit off.”

If I thought I was insane before, Shep and Paris only confirm it. I’m absolutely out of my head, and maybe … maybe it’ll be easier to answer Paris’ earlier question. What else would make a man risk his damn life and that of his brothers if not love? Love for a woman that threatens to kill me herself.

40

RORI

In all the myths of the world, the worst of the worst, the fallen, the damned, the betrayed—there is one common enemy.Hubris. Pride. In each story, the consequence of too much hubris is downfall. Isaac’s one true enemy is himself. The same can be said for everyone else—Hel and my brother included.

As I swipe a fresh coat of lipstick across my lower lip, I lean back and stare at myself in the mirror. Baggage. Pawn. Tool. Unassuming. I know exactly what Isaac’s father thinks of me. It’s there in his actions, in his barely restrained distaste for me. I’m nothing but a connection to my mother, a way for him to control her.

What is it with men and their control?Isaac. Damien Icari. Even my own brother. Each of themwantsto control me. Yet, with each invisible chain they drape across my shoulders, all I want to do is fight back, rip them off, be free.

Maybe Isaac was right in the beginning. Maybe I should’ve walked away and never looked back. I can’t say it wouldn’t have made things easier, less complicated. It’s too late for that now. As much as I’ve hated the decisions my mother made in her past, as much as I’ve resented her absence and neglect, I can’t let this go on.

Tonight, it ends. Tonight, she knows the truth. Damien Icari is using her and she needs to get out before it gets her hurt. Or worse. Killed.

A knock on the dorm door has me hurriedly finishing my makeup and putting it all away. I stride out into the living room to find Hel and Marcus already there, awkwardly shifting on their feet. I pause and frown.

“No need to be uncomfortable on my behalf,” I say snidely. “Now that I know the two of you are in league with each other, you might as well talk about me in front of me instead of behind my back.”

Hel’s face blanches. “Rori, you know that’s not what—”

“Don’t get mad when you know we’re just worried about you,” Marcus says, cutting her off.

I hum in the back of my throat but don’t offer a response. Nothing I could say would change them, anyway, or make them feel remorse for their actions. Sure, maybe Hel feels bad, but she still thinks she’s right. Marcus, on the other hand, doesn’t even seem to feel guilty. I’ve never been so irritated with him in my life.

“Come on,” I snap, reaching for the jacket I’ve got draped over the back of the couch and pulling it on over my glittering cocktail dress. “Let’s get this over with.”

Marcus shoots me a look, but turns and gives Hel a nod of acknowledgment before striding back out into the hall. I check that my phone is in my jacket pocket and then stride through the room towards the front door, pausing only when Hel reaches out and gently touches my arm as I try to pass her.

“I’m sorry that I upset you, Rori,” she says quietly. “I know you’re mad that I called Marcus and told him stuff without telling you, but—”

I hold up a hand and move away from her touch. “No buts, Hel,” I say. “You know what you did and even if you apologize, it still doesn’t make me trust you. I’m not mad you told him, irritated maybe, but not mad. I’m pissed that you didn’t tell me. I’m your best friend. Not Marcus. I’m the one you should’ve brought your concerns to.”

“I did,” she replies. “I told you—repeatedly—that Isaac Icari was dangerous. You wouldn’t listen.”

“Because it’smychoice to make,” I remind her. “Everything I do is my choice to make. What happens the next time I do something that you don’t agree with?” I ask her. “Are you going to run to my brother for every little thing?” When she goes quiet, I shake my head. “I love you, Hel. I do. But I just can’t trust that you won’t do something behind my back again. Informing on me to my brother? At the very least, you should’ve told me.”

Hel bows her head forward, her dark curly hair falling over her face. “Yeah, I know,” she admits, “I should’ve told you that I was going to tell him.” She lifts her head and dark, almost red-brown eyes meet mine. “I can’t promise I won’t call him if I think you’re in danger, but I can swear to you that I’ll tell you if I do.”

I press my lips together as a slight burn in my nose warns me that tears are coming. I suck them back. Not right now. There’s no time. “We’ll talk later,” I say, turning away from her.

“Rori!” As I step out of the apartment door, Hel calls my name and I pause when I feel her small hand close around mine, pulling me to a dead halt. I turn back as Hel grips the door, keeping it open, and stares back at me. “I am sorry,” she says again, “for betraying your trust.”

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