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“Run.” I hear the word like he shouted it right in my ear.
In a flash, two of the guards hit the ground, a broken arm, a dislocated knee. I take the cue, slamming my elbow into the gut of the guard at my shoulder, dashing for the door.
Right as the windows explode, the colossal panels on either side of the entryway bursting inward with a resounding, deafening concussion.
28
EVAN
Hellena screams as I tackle her to the ground, taking the brunt of the fall with my body.
Debris is everywhere. I’m flat on my back, ears ringing. She’s coming to, lying on top of me, mumbling and confused.
Other guests are running, making for the exits, screaming.
Chaos.
The guards are scattered, more concerned with getting Vice to his vehicle, out of the blast radius, away from the danger. One problem solved. At least for the moment.
My head clears, the scarlet haze of my rage draining to hollow, bone-deep exhaustion.
I force us up, pulling Hellena to her feet along behind me. I shove my way through the press, straight to the side wall, to the secret exit I installed for emergencies.
Hellena snatches at my arm, yanking me around to face her. “What the fuck is going on?” Hatred tints her words.
“I don’t expect you to understand. I don’t expect you to forgive me. I do expect you to run. Get to the garage, get out and away from him. Go to Gavin.”
“Wait! Evan, what are you—” I shove her into the doorway, slamming the reinforced door shut behind her. I hear her slam against it, banging, screaming for me.
I block it out, my heart in shattered little pieces inside my chest. Everything I planned tonight collapses around me.
My entire event is up in fucking smoke.
The plan I had to buy Hellena myself, to defy my orders, was foiled. The second I moved to raise my paddle, they pulled me away, members of my own staff, distracting me, forcing me to go deal with an overdose.
By the time I got the onsite medical staff to her and back to the atrium, she was already sold, being dragged away. All of it felt like a blow to my chest.
The meeting, the “special guest”. I should have seen this coming. The big two, the Ghosts and the Block going to war, was a ruse. A minor threat.
The mayor and city council are making their move. And the Matron, the Herald, is just letting it play out. Like we always do. See how things go and play our moves in the background.
Which I could tolerate. I could fall in line if the lives on the line were gang members. Mobsters.
Not hers.
Not the woman I love.
That’s what this is. This crack in my chest that’s been splitting me in two since the day we met.
I don’t know if I can ever say those words, but I felt it every time we touched, danced. Especially when we came together on that stage.
It’s the single most pure and holy moment of my existence.
So even if it’s too late to have her, I will save her.
Smoke and dust haze the area as I storm back toward the doors. Who the fuck would have a reason to set off a bomb at the Sinner’s Ball?
So many questions that I don't have time to find answers to, just like I can’t give Hellena any explanation why I did what I did tonight.
