Page 142 of Boulder's Weight

Or is there actually something left of my brother in there?

"Address," Amara demands.

Benji recites it, his eyes never leaving mine.

When he finishes, Amara nods to Zorro, who leaves immediately to arrange a rescue party.

"What happens now?" I ask, the question directed at Amara but my eyes still on Benji.

"We verify his information," she replies. "If it checks out, if we find Lashes alive, then we'll discuss what happens to him." Her gaze shifts to Boulder. "Take Kelsey to get some rest. We'll handle things from here."

Boulder nods, sliding his arm around my waist. "Come on, Montana. You've done enough."

I let him lead me out, but not before looking back at Benji one last time.

He watches me go, his expression unreadable.

Is it regret I see there? Resignation? Or is he already planning his next move?

This has to be a trick. There’s no possible way he’d change his mind like that.

The exhaustion hits me like a wave as soon as we reach our room.

My legs give out, and he catches me easily, lifting me onto the bed.

The familiar scent of his sheets—leather, soap, and something else I can never quite place—wraps around me, comforting like a warm blanket.

"Sleep," he says, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I'll wake you if there's news about Lashes."

"Stay with me," I whisper, gripping his hand. "Please."

He hesitates, glancing toward the door. "I should help with the preparations for?—"

"Just until I fall asleep," I whisper, hating the neediness in my voice but unable to suppress it. "I don't want to be alone right now."

His expression softens, and he kicks off his boots before stretching out beside me.

I curl against him immediately, my head on his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear.

"You were incredible in there," he says after a moment, his hand stroking my hair. "Standing up to him like that."

"I just wanted to understand," I admit. "To see if any part of my brother was actually still in there."

"And was it?"

I think about the flicker of humanity I saw, the weariness in Benji's admission. "Maybe. A little. But I don't know if it's enough to save him."

Boulder's arms tighten around me. "That's not your responsibility, Kelsey. You've done more than enough."

"Craig died trying to help me," I say, the grief welling up again. "Sam nearly died too. And Rooster, and Python, and Lashes might still be?—"

"Stop," Boulder interrupts, his voice gentle but firm. "This isn't your fault. None of it."

"But they came after all of you because ofme."

Boulder shifts, rolling until he's looking down at me, his eyes intense. "They came after us because they'reourenemies. Because Sally has had it out for the club for years. Your connection to it just gave them an excuse, not a reason."

I want to believe him. I want to shed this weight of guilt that's become so familiar.

---