Page 53 of Deadly Little Hearts

We move between the trees until we reach the gate.Amirah lifts out her phone.The light casts shadows around her face.The gate opens, and before I can take another breath, she’s off again, running through it.I follow closely behind her as we step out onto the quiet road.

Amirah tears off down the hill to the neighborhood security gate.I look over my shoulder at Hazen’s place.Though I can spot his lights in the distance, it’s too far up the hill for them to see us down here.

She drops into a walk as we reach the security box and one of the guards comes out and opens the door for us without any question.Amirah waves at him and blows a kiss from over her shoulder and we are free.

As I fall into step next to Amirah, she takes my hand, placing it over her heart.It pounds fiercely against my palm.

“Holy shit, that was even better doing it with you,” she says, releasing my hand.

“You do this often?”I ask, and she wraps her arm over my shoulder, pulling me closer.

“Yeah, but don’t tell the boys, because it’s the only time I’m free from their hold, ya know?”

I nod.I get it.I really do.“It’s our little secret.Just because I’m with them doesn’t mean I tell them everything.”

“Good,” Amirah says, before stepping out of my embrace.

The cool night breeze pushes my hair off my shoulders, making me wish I was wearing a beanie, not a cap.It’s doing fuck all to protect my ears from the cold.My phone vibrates against my leg, and when I bring it to my face, I’m not surprised to find a text from the unknown number.I really need to figure out how to block them.I’ve tried, but they keep getting through.

Unknown: Sneaking out when the stakes are high?You really are the deadly kind.

“How are you doing with everything?I hate to ask this, but—” Amirah stops, grabbing my hands and looking me dead in the eye.“Are you okay?”

I lock my phone and ignore the text.

Then I burst into semi-hysterical laughter.Tears fall effortlessly down my cheeks, and I have no idea how to answer.“Is anyone ever truly okay?”I ask instead of replying.

Amirah pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and squeezes my hands.Warmth seeps into my palms.“You’re right, but I want you to know I’m here if you need to talk, escape, or just do crazy shit.I’m here, okay?”She doesn’t look away.Her mossy-green eyes are very similar to Gage’s, although hers have a tinge of brown in them.They glisten against the streetlights.

“I know, and thank you.Now, stop being weird, and let’s go before your brother finds us,” I say, pulling away and wiping the tears staining my cheeks.

“You think I’m scared of my big bad brother?”Amirah snorts.

“He even scares me, so, yes, Amirah.If you aren’t, you should be.”

She doesn’t reply, and we continue walking through the streets in silence.A few cars drive past us, but none of them have stopped to pick us up, which means The Brotherhood hasn’t been informed of our disappearance yet.

We turn off the last street and onto the large open road, sticking to the side in case any cars come past.The bright spotlights that are usually switched on are black; there’s nothing but darkness up ahead.

Amirah reaches for my hand, and I intertwine her fingers with mine.

“You scared?”I tease, and she looks around the street before giving me a side-eye.

“No.I just need your hand in case we lose each other.”

I scoff but don’t reply, focusing on the road ahead.Goose bumps tickle my neck.It’s late—well past midnight.I’m not scared of the dark, but here, on the brink of both sides of Daring, you have to be wary of your surroundings.This is the area where people shoot first and ask questions later.

A rustle comes from behind us.Amirah grips my hand harder.I turn around and see nothing but darkness.Footsteps scuffle along the road, and I whirl back to the front, letting go of Amirah in the process.Pulling out my knife, I hold it tightly in my grip.

“Who the fuck is there?”I yell into the night, and a figure emerges from the tree line.

Anger flares inside me.What the fuck isshedoing here?

Chapter 28

Freya

Amirahflashesherphonelight, and Mia walks over, raising her hands in surrender.

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