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“It shouldn’t have happened,” Rebel says. “We didn’t know she was up there with us. Wasn’t supposed to be. He needed the space. Needed time to let his head get all kinds of fucked up. It’s his process. But this wasn’t… it wasn’t… he’s in so deep with you… he wouldn’t have wanted this. I don’t care how drunk and angry and fucked up he is. You don’t know him like I do. You don’t have the connection.” He taps his temple. “She wasn’t meant to be there. Must have snuck up.”
The serious guy in his all black uniform had been far too severe for that. Alec saw an opportunity and took it. Somehow got her up there. Bribed him or another staff member. Used it to hurt us. Me. He wanted to hurt me. Scare me. Take away everything that I care about. He could have succeeded. I am running. Always, always running.
“I could tell him anything and he wouldn’t remember?” I ask Rebel.
He jerks his chin. Grits his teeth. “You could tell him anything you want. Everything you want.”
“Just wanna know about T-Swift,” Rogue mumbles.
“You’re really obsessed.” Riot laughs. “Wanna have a breakup song written about you?”
“I just wanna know,” Rogue insists.
“Fine.” Riot’s gaze dances between his brothers and me. “Fine. It’s me, okay? I’m T-Swift.”
“He’s not T-Swift.” Rebel gives Riot a pointed look. “Don’t confuse him when he’s drunk.”
“Why? He won’t remember.” Riot laughs. “I am most definitely T-Swift.”
“Whatever,” Rebel rolls an irritated gaze at the lights above.
“Figures,” Rogue slurs.
“You shouldn’t have left him.” I stare Rebel down. “Not on his own. What happened tonight… if he was Ro or Summer…” I shake my head. Swallow. He beat Alec into a hospital bed. Went to jail. Did it all over again. Would have done time again. Only that time I had his back. But tonight he was lacking. “You shouldn’t have left him alone. Not when there are people like Alec Hawthorne out there.”
Rebel’s eyes turn steely and narrow, but he takes my little speech without a fight. Riot tenses all over. I suppose they never expected me to give them a dressing down for not having Rogue’s back the way they should have. Whatever happened today that precipitated Rogue’s need to get drunk… they had to be aware that he’d be incapacitated.
They had to know that Alec wasn’t done trying to get to them. Whatever his obsession with them is... he’s dangerous.
I step right up in front of Rogue. Take his jaw in my hand and stare into his unsteady gaze. “I do run. A lot. And I don’t want to. I do hide. But it isn’t because I don’t want to be with you. Or because I don’t love you. I love you so much. More than I’ve been willing to let on. I love you so much. And you might not remember this tomorrow, but I’ll be there to tell you. Remind you. Fight for us. Okay?”
“Baby.” His head lolls like he’s too far gone to hold it up.
“The ride,” Dizzy says. “You still want it?”
“Yes, I want it.” I step back. “Help me get him in the car. I’m taking him home.”
“There are photographers out the front,” Dizzy warns as we make our way to the exit. “Trendy nightclub. They expect celebrity sightings.”
I inhale. And my lungs loosen with the purpose that wells up in me. I’m done running. Tomorrow I will tell Rogue everything and I’ll face the consequences. His anger. His hurt. And I will stay as long as he wants me. And then I will stand up to my monsters. One in particular.
Tonight I’ll run the gauntlet with my chin held high.
We step into the cool night air. Dizzy and I first; a good few steps ahead of the others. As far as paparazzi can tell we’re no one and they let us walk right through them. It’s a good fifteen seconds before the lights start to snap. A thousand blinding flashes, a dozen steps to the car.
“Rebel. Riot. Rogue.” Their names are called, then the questions start. “Big night tonight? Is he all right? Pretty drunk, Rogue?”
“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” Big smiles from all three boys. Summer bringing up the rear with a laugh and a smile.
“Any reason for the celebration?” A boisterous voice from the group.
“Life,” Riot says. “We’re high on it.”
Rebel laughs.
“We just finished an exclusive withHollywood Juice,” Summer says. “With Rochelle Kitt. It’s time a few truths were told.”
“Sounds juicy,” another excited voice yells.
