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Crying and sobbing, she keeps saying, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” over and over.
Morgan screams, “I’m going to fucking kill your weak ass.”
And I don’t doubt her for one second. But I hope I can get through to her. “She told us where to find you. She helped you, Morgan.”
“I wouldn’t be here in the first place if it weren’t for her.”
She’s got a good point there, but now’s not the time to give her extra ammo. “She messaged Savannah and told us to come help you. She wanted you safe.”
“I don’t need your fucking help,” Morgan yells over her shoulder at me, then screams the same words at Ava.
“Let’s wait outside.” Savannah pulls a sobbing Ava out of view as we move back into the room. Ryder stoops down next to Lenny, touching his neck. “He’s still alive.”
Neil stands there, watching everyone in silence as Lenny lets out a muffled groan to confirm the fact he isn’t dead. This sets Morgan off again, so I hook my arms around her chest and hold her back.
“Please stop.” I don’t know why I don’t let her kill him. He deserves it. But I need to make sure she’s okay first. I pull my shirt off with one hand while not losing a grip on her, then I pull it over her head. She fights me every second, but I get her covered and turn her to face me.
“Morgan, look at me. Please.” I cup her face in my hands as she finally stops fighting against me. It’s a stupid fucking question, but I ask it anyway. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m fine. But I’ll be better after I gut that motherfucker.” Her voice is angry but controlled and steady. And unnerving. I don’t get a chance to respond before two loud gunshots echo through the air. On instinct, my arms wrap around Morgan and I pull her against me, looking around for the source of the sound.
No.I’m not seeing this right. With my ears still ringing, I see Neil standing over Lenny, the gun still pointed at his head.
“Neil,” I utter, shocked.
My friend looks to me and says, “I had to. He had to die.”
Morgan agrees but doesn’t like the method as she tells Neil, “Yes. ButIwanted to kill him.”
What. The. Fuck.
This isn’t happening. The room is silent as we all stand around, staring for a second. Ryder looks at me, fear apparent in his eyes. Neil appears way too calm for having just shot someone. And Morgan looks pissy that her opportunity to kill him first has been stripped away.
“We have to hide the body,” Ryder says, shining his flashlight around. “They’ll connect it back to us. We need to get rid of him.”
“Nah,” Morgan says, nonchalantly. “Just shove his ass in that closet. No one will find him. Where the fuck are we even?”
“Northshore,” Neil answers. “And she’s right. Let’s just leave him here.”
Ryder and Neil discuss a plan as Morgan jerks the flashlight away from Ryder and heads out of the room. I follow her but don’t say anything as she calmly walks across the lobby and out of the building. We’re already in the parking lot when I dare say, “Morgan, talk to me.” Because I’m about to fucking lose it.
“I’m fine. I need a ride to get my car.”
She’s in shock. She has to be. She’s limping slightly but her chin’s up, her eyes forward; she’s pretending she’s okay, but it’s obvious she’s not. Her skin is battered, her face bloody, her hair matted.
“Morgan.” I move beside her, tenderly grasping her forearm, but she keeps walking and swats my arm away.
“I don’t need you.” She avoids looking at my face as I try to gently pull her to me. She fights me the entire time, but I can tell she’s exhausted, her attempts angry but weakened. And I can’t let her go. Especially when she continues with such pain in her voice, “I don’t need you. I can save myself. I don’t fucking need you.”
I hold her to me, her fists beating weakly against my chest. “I know. You saved yourself. I’m here because I need you. Remember? I wasn’t lying when I said I needed you.”
Her face presses against my chest, her nails digging into my skin as she grabs ahold of me. Her sobs grow louder as she cries, “I don’t need you.”
I don’t say another word and just let her cry. Let her tell me every hateful thing that leaves her lips as she breaks down. I’ll take every word. I pray it helps her pain. Because even though I know she’s strong, everyone has a breaking point.
27
CADE
