Page 158 of Resurrection
I’m angry at him. I’m not sure why all those years ago he thought I was into him. And I don’t understand why he’s still holding that grudge when I’m ready to leave it behind, leave it in the past so I can move on. With the woman I love.
I glance at Naomi, my breath tight and uneven. She's the only thing that's real. The only thing that matters in this madness.
"This isn't just me," she says. Her eyes are softer now, the fire turning to something else. "You two need to make up. Life's too short for this crap." Pause. "Can’t you see where we are?” She motions at the dark classroom around us.
Adri stares at her, his mouth opening and closing around words that don't come.
"Did you mean it?" she asks him, her voice quieter. "What you said about doing the right thing?"
He tips his chin.
"Then fix it," she tells him. "I want my brother back."
She looks at me, her gaze steady. "I want you both back."
Adri meets my eyes too, his own unsure. He's never let me see him so fragile. I don't know if I can trust it. I don't know if I can trust him.
Bam!
Gunshots. Right down the hallway.
Instinct takes over and I drape myself over Naomi, pressing her to the floor. Adri’s radio crackles softly beside us, like a pesky fly buzzing in the silence.
"Shit." He scrambles to turn off the volume completely before fumbling with his cell phone. He types something furiously while lying on his stomach.
Beneath me, Naomi is shivering. Her fingers are coiled into fists, and I wish I could take the fear away from her, but I’m scared myself, scared for our lives.
Adri taps my shoulder and lets me see the incoming text on his phone.
Shooter back on second floor. We have no visual. He shot at Ramos.
My gaze settles on Adri's face. Beads of sweat cling persistently onto skin that's marked by deep exhaustion.
He blows out a breath, and with a shaky grin, he mutters, "Looks like we're in desperate need of some divine intervention tonight."
I see him checking his weapon on his hip. Naomi catches on. She grabs his arm, whispering, "Are you crazy? You’re not thinking of going out there, are you?"
"It’s my job, Shrimp," he whispers back. "And I’m good at it, all right?"
"No."
"Don’t do this, man," I add.
"We’re sitting ducks here. He knows who I am. It’ll be best if he’s approached by someone familiar rather than a bunch of strangers. I might be able to talk him down. Besides, my ass hurts from sitting on the floor."
He gets into a crouch and pulls his sister into a brief, tight hug. His gazebounces between us, serious and determined. "Stay here and don’t make a sound. No matter what you hear."
Naomi nods.
"And you?" He gives me one of those deadly stares. "Your job is to protect my sister. Iwillcut your balls off if you let even a single hair on her head be harmed. You understand, Brady?"
"Loud and clear."
"Good."
He moves, silent and quick, then gestures for me to help him with the desk barricade. We do it carefully, trying not to make any noise. When there’s enough room for him to squeeze through the door, he says, "When I’m out, put it back. At least the best you can to slow him down."
"Okay," I whisper.
