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33
Pen
“Thanks for coming to get me,” I say, pressing my head against the cool glass of the window and watching the city lights blur against the night sky as we speed down the motorway.
“Hey, that’s what friends are for, right? You don’t need to thank me,” Grim replies, squeezing my hand gently. Her fingers are warm against my chilled skin, and despite the warmth of the car and the heated seats, I’m still cold.
“Regardless, I appreciate it.” My breath steams up the window, misting my view of the world. That’s kind of how I feel right now, like everything’s blurred. I’m finding it hard to distinguish between real memories and nightmares. Between what’s the right thing to do and what’s the wrong thing to do. Between love and fear. It’s why I had to leave. Being with the Breakers right now isn’t an option. I need to set my head right. Besides, I can’t be there when Xeno leaves for Mexico.
“Will they hate me for this?” I ask, my voice quiet.
“They let you come with me, didn’t they? I think they get what you need right now. You’re not running away. You just need a little bit of time to deal with this.”
“I’m not so sure. You didn’t see how they looked at me. It was like that night all over again.”
When my voice catches, Grim glances over at me. “If they give you a hard time, I’ll break their fucking necks.”
“I’m not sure that’s helpful, Grim. I love them. I don’t want them dead.”
She glances over at me. “Yeah, I know you do, and despite this complete fuck-up of the last few days, they love you too. Enough to give you space and trust you’ll return. Enough to take out two fucking crews.”
“And David…” I mutter.
“What?” Grim asks
“Xeno’s catching a flight to Mexico in a couple days. He’s going to kill David.”
“The fuck!?”
I swallow hard, blinking back my tears. “That’s partly why I left. I couldn’t stand to see Xeno leave. He’s got it into his head that the only way to keep me safe is to kill David.”
Grim is quiet for a moment. When she pulls off the motorway, following the sign to Hackney, a long sigh releases from her mouth. “I agree with him.”
“With Xeno?”
“Yes.”
“You knew about his plan?” I ask, my voice rising.
“No, but given what’s gone down it doesn’t come as a surprise. Though I have to admit, whilst I agree that David has to die, I don’t agree that Xeno should be the one to do it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean if anyone deserves to murder that fucking cunt, it’s you…” She lets that statement hang in the air and when I don’t respond after five long minutes, she pulls over onto a side street and parks the car before turning to face me.
“Pen. After Saturday night my opinion of your brother has changed. I thought he was just another bullshitter who barks and never bites, but he’s proven that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to take you and everyone you love out. He’s played his first hand, and I’m betting it’s only going to escalate, especially now that we suspect Santiago is sanctioning everything he does.”
“So youdothink Xeno should go to Mexico?” I ask in confusion.
“No, I think that’s a fucking suicide mission, and the second we get home I’m calling Hud to intervene.”
“So what’s the alternative?”
“We draw David out, and when that day comes, you’ll be the one to decide how he dies. Either by your hand, or by one of your Breakers. Hell, I’ll even do it myself if that’s what you want.”
My eyes flick to her stomach. “No.”
“No? You think being pregnant changes what I’m capable of?” Grim laughs, shaking her head. “If anything, knowing I have a baby inside of me makes me even more determined. I will protect my child until my very last breath.”
