“Sweet.” He slings his arm over my shoulders to urge me forward. “You, lucky girl, are getting a personal escort.” When we’re several feet ahead of Frosty, his tone goes low and quiet. “I heard you switched to Team Awesome. Congratulations.”
“Actually, I like to think I never really switched.” I match my volume to his. And then I offer him more than I’ve offered anyone else, the words bottled inside me for far too long. Maybe because he’s the one person in the world who will understand. “I somehow convinced myself it was okay to do the wrong thing for a very good reason.” Maybe, if I’d gone to my brother, told him what Anima had said, we could have come up with a plan to protect him and bring down the company, without putting anyone else in danger.
Frosty remains behind us, but follows close to our heels. “What are you two muttering about?”
“If it was any of your business, we’d talk louder,” Justin says without looking back. Going quiet again, he adds, “Don’t worry. I’ve been in your outcast shoes and I know how difficult it can be, but it doesn’t last forever.”
I rub at Betrayal. “How did you win everyone over?”
“Time. Action.”
I sigh. “An eternity wouldn’t be long enough for me.” People died because of me. Innocent people. I deserve a dagger, not a welcome-back party. “But I’ll make things right, no matter what.”
“Hey, we all make mistakes. The others will remember that fact.”
I don’t believe him, but I offer him a smile of thanks anyway. He’s trying to make me feel better and I’m grateful.
As we enter a spacious room filled with workout equipment and a boxing ring, my brother comes into view. I trip over my own foot. Frosty grabs a fistful of my shirt, yanking me back so that I never actually fall.
“Thanks,” I mutter, watching as River laughs and enters the ring with Cole. Like me, my brother has a body covered in scars and black-and-white tattoos.
Black and white. Right and wrong. Nothing in between.
My heart swells with different emotions. Love. Joy—he’s here, he’s safe. Regret. Remorse. Happiness. Sadness. Anticipation. Dread.
Cole is shirtless and sweaty, muscled and just as heavily tattooed. He bears names and symbols to honor the loved ones he’s lost—and those he just plain loves. Like Ali.
With his black hair and violet eyes, he’s more beautiful than any other boy I’ve ever seen—with the exception of Frosty. I once tried to pick him up. Not because I’m attracted to him but because I hoped to use him against Ali. Anything to push her toward Anima.
Now, shame stabs at me.
Both boys are expertly skilled at combat, and it’s clear they know each other’s habits. When one swings, the other ducks. When one kicks, the other jumps.
“You on your period again?” Cole asks.
“Your mom is on her period,” River responds.
“No mom jokes,” Ali calls from the sidelines. “Or I’ll punch you both in the ovaries.”
“No girl jokes,” Cole tells her.
“Fine. I’ll punch you both in the apple bags,” she amends.
“Apple bags?” River laughs. “My new favorite phrase.”
“My girl gives good poetry.” Cole smiles fondly, then nails River in the jaw with a hard right cross. “I give good aneurisms.”
“You aren’t the only one.” River lands a punch of his own before spinning out of range to avoid Cole’s retaliation. He stills, but his gaze keeps going, moving through the room. Always check your surroundings. You never know who’s trying to sneak up on you.
He stops on me, and a humiliating whimper escapes. He loses his smile, regret pulsing from him. For a single heartbeat, at least. Does he miss me? He must. Then his expression shutters, and he nods a greeting to Justin and Frosty.
I am not a slave to my emotions, remember?
But...I think my heart is actually breaking inside my chest.
That’s okay. I’ll heal. Failure isn’t the end; it’s just a delay.
“Come on.” Justin tugs me forward. “I’ll introduce you to our new recruits.”
I dig in my heels, staying in place. “Frosty?” I haven’t forgotten my promise to him.
“Go on. But stay nearby. I mean it.”
“We will, Dad.” Justin flips him the bird. “We’ll be in the room next to this one. Happy?”
“Only when my fist goes through your chest cavity, douche-purse.”
Douche-purse. The entire crew has always loved to tease Ali about her grandmother’s attempt to be cool. “Be careful,” I mutter to Justin. “I’ve seen him do the chest cavity thing.”
Justin flashes me a wicked grin. “If you think I lack the skill to protect myself, you just haven’t seen me fight.”
Poor, deluded boy. Frosty will wipe the floor with his face.
Frosty can beat anyone.
“Come on.” Justin gives me another tug.
This time, as I allow him to lead me away, I glance back at Frosty. One last glance because...just because. I expect him to be locked in a conversation with one of his friends. Instead, his eyes are glued to me, his hands clenched at his sides.