Page 113 of Little Liar
“Tobes, if you stand on my foot again, we’re gonna have a—”
Base’s voice vanishes, and I hope Tobias is kicking his ass.
But I’m more focused on the way Olivia turns around and freezes as I stand before her with my hands in my pockets—because if I don’t hold them there, I’ll grab her and drag her away, or worse, kiss her in front of everyone and ruin the rescue.
Olivia can’t see my face, but she doesn’t have to. The gas mask still has dried blood on it, not that anyone can smell the dead copper or can tell between it being fake or not.
She’ll remember being my little stranger and running from this mask.
Xander is talking to his father, his eyes straying to me every few minutes.
She’s looking up at me, and I can see the fear in her eyes through the glass of the eyeholes. “Please save me,” she says shakily, loud enough for only me to hear.
My heart splits in two.
I tilt my head, my gaze flicking over to see what Igor is doing—talking like he’s the star of the night, the center of attention, oblivious, while his team keeps us surrounded and his sons plan his demise.
So close. She’s so fucking close.
She lifts her mask, her eyes tearstained already. “Malachi.”
I can’t sign, not when I have this grenade in my hand, and honestly, I don’t know what to say. Forgive me? Don’t leave me? I’ll do better? I promise to protect you even though I already failed?
I won’t let anything happen to her ever again. Even if a bullet goes in my head, I’ll find a way to protect her.
Fuck. I want to go to her. Now. I need to. She’s staring at me, and I’m not doing anything, but my entire body is fucking rattling to go to her.
“Ready?”
I nod, knowing Barry can see us through the CCTV.
“I won’t be reachable as soon as this starts. You have one hour. Get her to me as fast as you can. Try not to die in the process.”
“Aw,” Base coos. “Knew you loved me. Sorry, I already have a best friend, despite sucking his dick too many times—” He starts making an abrupt choking sound, and Tobias tells him to shut the fuck up.
“Drop them now.”
I pull my hand from my pocket and let go of the grenade, praying this fucking works. The lights flicker, my eyes drifting to Igor and his men as they try to use their radios.
It worked.
Xander comes towards us. He knows it’s about to happen, yet I can’t help but hate him.
I draw my attention back to a confused Olivia. She drops the mask on the ground, and her eyes are watering. Xander reaches her, grabs the mask, and tries to put it back on her. “Mal—”
“Now.”
It’s the only word I need. I drive my fist into Xander’s face and grab Olivia, then drag her through the crowd, gripping her hand tight enough that I can’t lose her again. People bang into us, Olivia slips and falls, but I lift her weight and push partygoersout of the way, knocking over someone and making them fall onto a table filled with food.
The hallways are empty—it’s a straight route to the backyard where Base will be waiting with the car. Tobias will follow and catch anyone trying to get to us.
Looking behind me, I don’t spot anyone following us. I hold Olivia’s hand tighter and drag her into the yard.
“Malachi. I can’t leave,” she says desperately.
I swing open the door and push her in. She fights me, trying to get out of the backseat as I climb in and close the door.
“Malachi! I can’t!” She shows me her arm. “This will kill me.”
