*You first.*
I shut my eyes. I think of my mum, Tristan, and Jade, wishing I’d actually spent my time with them instead of hiding away like a maniac. Maybe in another life…
Another bang. I stay still, waiting for the pain to hit, but once again, it doesn’t. I’m still on the floor, brows knitting in confusion, listening to grunts, fists slamming hard against skin, muscle, and bone—then curses. One voice sounded like…
Diego?
I opened my eyes, and there he was—my stepfather, right on top of Connor. The gun was out of reach beside them, and Diego’s fists slammed hard against Connor’s face. It hit me then—Diego was a burly man, something I never really noticed before.
Did he come to save me? Pigs couldn’t fly though, so I had to be dreaming…
“Get off me, swine,” Connor struggled, but either Diego’s sudden rage was overpowering, or Connor was too dazed from all the beating.
The gunfire outside resumed.
“I told you,” Diego roared into Connor’s face, “I told you I was gonna get you if you dou
