Page 90 of Bleeding Hearts
Turning, I meet his eyes. “Go. They’ll be here soon, and they won’t hesitate to kill you. Leo, it’s okay. You did more than you had to.”
While I was working Risk, he was tracking payments and messages. He found out who was behind all of this by putting together the evidence I provided from my camera and phone. Without him, I couldn’t have done this.
“I never should have helped them in the first place,” he admits. “That’s why I helped—not because you demanded it, but because you were right. We did this. I needed to end it.”
“You did,” I assure him. “Make sure the clips keep spreading. The public needs you now. I’ll keep them here.” He hesitates, and I smile. “Go, it’s okay.”
Nodding, he slips down the corridor, and I climb to my feet and face the front doors of the art building. For a moment, it reminds me of that night as bright lights flash over the glass. It’s almost poetic that I’ll die in the same place where I should have the night Tommy did.
I’ve been living a half-life since then. Part of me died here with him, so if this is my last stand, then I’m glad it’s here, where he took his last breath for someone he loved.
I just hope I made him proud and saved her and all the rest.
I know Alice will never forgive me, and that’s okay, but I had to do something. We captured tons of footage from the gun game and onwards. Leo and I spent all day compiling it then cornering the winner and using his bank. We put together as much evidence as we could, and then we waited and put this strategy into place. This was always the plan.
The public needed to see me in the game to believe the footage was real. They needed to see the harsh truth of it so it doesn’t get buried or labeled as fake news. There is so much carnage and horror flooding devices nowadays that we needed to stand out.
My phone vibrates, and I pick it up.
Evan: We are coming. Just hold on.
He will be too late, but I type a quick reply.
Lally: Don’t. Take care of her for me. I love you all.
My phone goes black, and the Risk logo flashes as tears fill my eyes. I sniff them back with a bitter laugh as my face shows on the screen.
“Laila Stewart, you broke the rules,” the mechanical voice states. “Please await your punishment.”
“I’m fucking waiting. Come and get me,” I tell it as I toss it to the ground and face the door. Blue lights fill the area, and it isn’t long before the door bursts open and police storm the corridor, but I just eye them as they advance on me.
“Ms. Stewart, come with us. We’ll keep you safe,” one of them calls.
“How did you know I was here?” I ask them, and they share a look. “How is Senator Kellen? Did you get a nice paycheck from him to keep this quiet? How many bodies have you buried for him?”
“Come with us now. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” one cop demands, and I meet his angry eyes.
“Let me guess, wranglers, right? Makes sense with the guns. Who better to govern the games than police officers?” I scoff.
One approaches me, and I tilt my head back to hold his gaze as he stops before me, the flashing blue lights highlighting his cruel expression. “I’ve wanted to do this since you talked back to me in that manor.” He slams his gun into my face, and I fall with a cry as he catches me. He and another officer start to drag me outside, and that’s when I fight.
“No, do it here!” I order. “Kill me here. Let me die with him!”
“You’ll die how we say you’ll die. He’ll probably hang you in front of everyone you love and make an example of you. He can wipe away your little stunt tonight. You achieved nothing except signing your own death warrant,” the one on my left sneers as they drag me to the police cars. The lights are off now so they don’t draw unwanted attention.
The campus is quiet, and no one knows where I am. I planned it this way so no one else would get hurt. I would never let them risk themselves for this. It was my choice and mine alone. I know this will destroy Evan and Alice, but I hope they understand why.
I’m hauled closer to the cars, and I know that once I’m inside one, I will never come back out. I just hope Alice doesn’t find my body. That would kill her.
“Hey, assholes!” comes a familiar voice, and the police freeze. When I lift my head and see Alice, everything in me turns to ice from my horror.
She’s dripping wet and so fucking beautiful it hurts. “Don’t you fucking dare lay a hand on my girlfriend,” she shouts.
The officers around us share a look. “Miss, we are taking Ms. Stewart to safety after her announcement,” one cajoles.
“Liar,” Alice scoffs. She holds up her phone and aims it at us. “This is live streaming as well. I have your badges and names. For everyone watching, these police officers have injured Lally Stewart and are trying to take her somewhere without an arrest warrant or her consent. Are you part of Risk? Whose orders are you acting under?”
It’s obvious they don’t know what to do, so I take my shot. I slam my knee into the one on the right’s dick, then I slip free of the officer on the left and slam my fist into his face as I stumble back.
