Page 266 of The Reluctant Hero

“Please,” I whisper. I can’t help it. I feel like letting him out of my sight is going to be the catalyst for whatever is going to happen.

“This is stress. Everything will go as smoothly as it can.”

“I am literally begging you, Gabe. Please!”

His brows furrow, and then he sighs. “I can’t stay. There are innocent people that need me to try.”

I want to scream at him. Not that it would help. Being noble is great and all but it won’t keep him above ground. He needs to go in as viciously as he can and not back down. This isn’t a hero moment. This is fuck around and find out time. He better get with the thought or he won’t make it.

“Fine,” my voice shakes hard, and I clear my throat. “You better be ready to kill someone, Gabe. Imean it. Don’t back down, no matter how it feels. You can regroup when you’re safe. Have therapy, whatever. And every single one of you better do everything in your power to come home.”

“We will,” he whispers softly. He looks confused and a little hopeful. Why my kick ass and screw taking names speech is giving him hope, I have no idea.

We’re both idiots.

I should be knocking him out and hiding his body for a rousing game of hide and seek. Instead, I’m watching him walk away.

He steps past me and then pauses.

“When I get back. Can we talk then?”

I stare at his back helplessly. His shoulders are so tense they’re hiked up. With his head lowered, he looks like he’s bracing for rejection.

“Yes,” I give in like the wuss I am. If I didn’t love these guys, I’d hate them.

Whoa, wait. Love? No, no, no.

His shoulders straighten, and his usual egotistical walk comes back as he paces away.

As soon as the cars have pulled away, that doom spot inside me wakes up.

“Shit,” I mutter.

Maybe it wasn’t them the warning was for. Maybe it’s for me.

I do my best to distract myself. The constant hum inside doesn’t get stronger, but it doesn’t go away either.

It’s a constant whisper ofnot yetthat I can’t stop hearing.

I create a group text with Tera, Shade, and South to give them a heads-up.

Me: Warning signal up. Waiting mode. Stay safe.

No one answers because it’s god-awful o’clock. I wish I was sleeping just like them.

56

2A

Gabriel

“I’m hungry,” Jake pouts on the couch.

“You had breakfast,” Cade glares at him. “Don’t start this shit.”

That’s new. Usually, when Jake starts complaining, Cade taunts him.

Ever since yesterday, he’s been behaving differently than I’m used to. They all are.

---