Page 189 of Sin Like the Devil

Offering me a hand, Rae’s gaze is oddly steady. “Then start hurting the right people.”

In the growing madness, I stare at her hand. At the thick layers of cuts and scars peeking out from beneath her shirt sleeve. A mere glimpse of the evil I’ve inflicted here. The same evil I’m desperate to run from.

All I’ve ever done is run.

From memories. From mania.

From demons.

From my own transgressions.

Bloodstained hands clasping, I let Rae tug me to my feet. She offers a tearful smile that I can’t return. Not yet. Not until I’ve earned that privilege back. And she’s right—I’ll never do that by running. None of us will.

Her eyes shift beyond me. “Incoming.”

“What?”

“There!” a familiar voice yells.

Chest aching, I lean on Rae and turn. At the rear exit of the institute, two shadows stare across the quad at us. One in a crimson-splattered polo shirt, the other a hospital gown and aviator sunglasses. Both head towards us.

“Ripley!”

Hearing Raine shout my name is like seeing a tiny ray of sunshine peeking through this hellscape. His arm circling Raine’s shoulders, Xander steers him through the half-destroyed quad. His stare flits from Lennox to me, searching both of us.

Fuck me gently.

Xander Beck himself looks bloody worried.

The pair awkwardly stumble closer. Between guards being dragged into line, their cuffs stolen then attached to themselves, and the bark of orders being given, it feels like a battlefield stands between us.

But then I’m in Raine’s arms.

Freshly squeezed orange.

Sea salt.

Home.

“Rip,” he says urgently. “Are you okay?”

“L-Lennox… He… We…”

Grasping handfuls of his hospital gown, I collapse against him. Raine struggles to hold me upright until Xander intervenes and takes me from him, a hand cupping the back of my head.

“Xan.”

“Breathe,” he orders. “I’ve got you now.”

Shaking all over, I let Xander gently lower me to the ground. I’m placed next to Lennox, my back resting against his side. He stirs and looks up at his best friend surveying us both.

“Xan.”

“Hey, man.” Xander’s mouth does this strange, curving motion. “Good to see you’re… kind of alive.”

Lennox blinks rapidly. “Rip… is h-he smiling at me?”

I sag into him. “Yeah, I think he is.”

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