Chapter 36 Briar
brIAR
Roman makes a pained sound as the tip of my blade skates across the bulletproof mesh covering his heart. It stopped the knife from going farther than a few centimeters into his flesh, but the act itself speaks volumes.
I realize what I’ve done, and horror ripples through me. I gasp and drop the knife, seeing stars and stumbling backward as I stare at his bleeding chest.
Roman grabs my wrist and pulls me to him, wrapping me in his arms tightly and stroking my head. “It’s okay,” he murmurs in my ear. “I’m so sorry, Briar. I’m so fucking sorry I lied to you.”
His blood warms my chest, seeping into my shirt and making me hyperventilate.
“I love you, Briar. I love you, and I’m not letting you go again. Not ever. No matter what you do to me. I will never let you go.” He kisses the top of my head and pulls back enough to see my face. “I’m so sorry.”
Tears fall from our chins.
He waits for me to say something. Anything.
“I hate you, Roman.”
His eyes widen as I shove him back and run into the crowd. I lose him quickly and have to bite back the emotions. I don’t stop until I’m back at Callum’s truck and find Grahm leaning up against the back.
“There you are—” his expression falters. “Thornton? What’s wrong?” He catches me as I collide into his chest. It took everything I had to not let Roman hold me. Everything. But he fucking betrayed me just like Callum did. Sure, he didn’t try to kill me himself, but he left me with the devil.
Grahm holds me at arm’s length and looks me over with concern. “Are you hurt? There’s so much blood.” He sounds panicked and quickly escorts me into the back of the truck.
“It’s not my blood.” I manage to get out between shallow breaths. I can’t control my breathing, knowing that I stabbed Roman.
He stills and looks over his shoulder. Roman and the Icarus Squad are standing at the top of the slope just before the crowd, staring down at us.
“Shit,” Grahm curses and slams the door before getting in the driver’s seat and backing out of the parking lot.
I watch the squad break for their motorcycles from the rear window.
“Where’s Callum and the others?” I ask, still feeling like a passenger in my own body.
Grahm drives quickly down the dirt road before he turns hard onto the highway and floors it. His truck roars, and we’re thrown forward as he speeds in the direction of the lake.
My bones chill. Why are we going to the lake at this hour? It’s pitch-black outside. Wait, is that where we’re meeting the boss? My veins go cold, and chills move up my arms.
“They went ahead to meet the boss.” He glances in the mirror at me.
My brows are pinched.
Five motorcycles pull out behind us and are catching up fast.
Grahm curses and pulls a gun from his center console. “Looks like this might be the end of the line for us, Thornton.”
I look at his somber expression and understand what he’s getting at. I quickly buckle my seat belt and grip the door tightly. “Grahm, we can talk to them. Roman tried speaking with me, but I…” Tried stabbing him. My stomach feels sick.
He shakes his head and glances at how close they are in his side mirror. “No, I don’t think we can. I’m not letting them get to Callum or you. Tonight is too important.”
I don’t have time to process his words because Grahm slams his brakes. It feels like my brain is being torn from my skull, and a fraction of a second later a body comes crashing through the back window.
I scream as glass and blood cover me.
“Hold on!” Grahm shouts as he floors the gas again. Gunshots are popping off now and hitting the metal siding.
I hesitantly look at the unmoving person next to me. Who is it? My heart is in my throat as I unbuckle my seat belt and move to check if they are okay.
There’s so much blood, but I can hear his labored breaths. I work quickly to take his helmet off, being careful of his neck in case it’s injured.
The second I see his blond hair I know it’s John. My heart shatters, and tears trickle down my cheeks. His body is so fucking broken. I carefully take his mask off, and he flinches in shock, I think.
When I see the distance in his gaze, I know it won’t be long.
I swallow the despair in my heart, and the world becomes so, so quiet. The gunshots fade, the loud roar of engines dissipate, and only the tender draw of each pained breath takes their place.
“I’m here, John,” I whisper, holding his hand in mine. A few of his fingers are broken, but I push that idea from my mind.
One of his eyes is bloodshot, and he can’t keep his head from bobbing with the damage to his nervous system. My jaw trembles, and I force a smile even though tears drip down them.
“B-B-Briar,” he chokes on my name. The word drowns in his blood.
My grip on his hand tightens and I smile wider, pressing my cheek to the back of his hand. “Hi, John. You didn’t…need to come back for me,” I whisper to hide my sobs.
His eyes are on me, but he keeps going somewhere else before fighting his way back. His lips quiver and he manages to squeeze my hand. It’s hot with his blood and my tears.
“I’m…ngh…s-s-orry. Please, p-please forgive m-me.” Tears rush from his eyes. I trace the fear in his features—he knows, and all I can do is hold his hand and try to comfort him with my useless smile.
“I will always forgive you, always. You hear me?” His eyes soften with relief.
I brush his hair back gently and press a kiss to his forehead.
His grip on my hand loosens. I pull back and stare down at him.
His eyes are dulling, but there’s the smallest smile on his lips.
One I will never forget. It burns into me, into every icy crevice of my heart. “Goodbye, John.”
My shoulders tremble as I let the tears flow with my agonized cry.
“Briar, brace yourself!” Grahm shouts.
But it’s too late. I’m holding on to John when the truck tips and the world spins.