Page 56 of Burn Like An Angel

Pulling away from me, I sense Ripley turn around to face the others. I snag hold of her t-shirt to keep her within touching distance.

“What does that mean?” she asks suspiciously.

“I need to re-establish communication with my team,” Langley explains. “My mobile phone was in the staff lockers when the riot broke out. If it’s still charged, I can use it to contact the others.”

“Why didn’t you check while you were out searching?” Xander asks.

“Because I was preoccupied by looking for you two,” he claps back. “I do have priorities.”

Xander has the good sense to stifle any response.

“Sabre can tell us what’s unfolding outside,” Langley continues. “We need to know when the authorities will move in. Perhaps we can still cut a deal.”

“Perhaps?” Ripley barks. “You made that sound like my only option!”

“It is, Rip.”

“Like hell it is.”

“Look, I can’t keep you safe if I’m hiding here, waiting for the fucking SWAT team to move in and start handcuffing everyone to be shipped off. It needs to be done now.”

“You can’t go out there.” Ripley attempts to pull away from me.

Tugging her t-shirt again, I haul her back to my front. I can feel her trembling in the pointed nodes of her spine. Regardlessof her anger, Ripley does care for Langley. And right now, guards are far more at risk than any of us.

“I have no choice,” he justifies. “And I can take care of myself.”

“What if you’re taken hostage too? You didn’t see Rick out there. He was waving around a stolen gun like a lunatic and threatening to shoot! This is serious!”

“Out where?” Lennox chimes in.

Ripley vibrates with a long sigh. “There were journalists outside the gate, filming us all. I watched Rick parade the guards out to make his demands to the world.”

“Rick won’t be making any demands for a while.” Xander’s tone belies a hint of pride. “Though I wish it were permanent.”

“Don’t pretend you beat the shit out of him to stop the riot,” Ripley challenges. “He was unconscious at your feet before you found me.”

“You’re right,” he submits without hesitation. “That’s not why I did it.”

Xander’s reply is silky smooth. Utterly shameless. Judging by Ripley’s sharp breath in, a hell of a lot more happened while they wereresting. I’m weirdly satisfied by Xander’s clear possessiveness.

The more people looking out for Ripley, the better. Having Xander on her side is the equivalent of having a fanatical cult running headfirst into war for you. He’ll do anything to defend those he deems worthy.

“The point is,” Langley draws the conversation back to him. “If I can make arrangements with my team, we can find a way out of here.”

Chuffing rudely, I can almost taste Lennox’s mistrust. But Ripley doesn’t give him a chance to speak for her.

She presses herself into me, seeking reassurance. “It can’t go on for much longer. Something has to give.”

“All the more reason for me to go now,” Langley argues. “While we still have a chance.”

“What would a deal entail?” Xander queries.

“Full cooperation in exchange for protection. You know we’ve done it with other inmates. If Incendia moves in first, I can guarantee that you will all disappear.”

Wrapping my arms around Ripley’s midsection, I hold her close. She’s in their firing line, but Xander and Lennox aren’t exactly innocent either. Hell, I’ll be guilty by association. We’ll all be erased.

“Go then,” Ripley whispers.

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