Page 127 of Heart of Thorns

He’s dragging an unconscious Ben toward Thorne’s still body on the floor. Behind them is a raised platform, which might have once been an old boxing ring. It’s completely covered in flames.

No.

Through a raspy cough, he shouts at me, “Get the fuck back in the car!”

He coughs again. The smoke billows around their bodies. I act fast.

“Stay there! Do not move.”

“Bri—” I hop down and curse the pain radiating up my leg. I make it to his car in seconds, though it feels like hours. I jump into the driver’s seat and twist the key in the ignition.

It comes to life, and I hurriedly put my seat belt on.

I refuse to let anyone live the nightmare that I did. Their football dreams will be ruined if they get hurt. Never mind the fact that they could die.

I fight the panic and past trauma as I reverse, twisting the wheel until the nose of Rhys’ car lines up with building’s entrance.

They need a way out, and I’m going to give it to them.

The sirens are getting closer, but the firefighters aren’t going to make it in time.

Either the flames or the smoke will kill them before they can escape.

I send the video of Stephen hiding like a coward in the forest to everyone I know.

Using voice text, I send Thorne a message, too—hopeful that if I don’t make it out alive, he will.

My voice shakes. “I love you, Cassius.”

I wrap my fingers around the steering wheel, take a deep breath, and put the pedal to the metal.

CHAPTER 41

THORNE

Everything hurts.My heart pounds so loud, it’s the only thing I can hear. Then, faintly,crying. Like a bubble popping, sound rushes back in, and I force my eyes open.

Hospital. It’s easily identifiable from the smell alone, but the quiet beeping of a distant monitor and the hum of machines confirms it. Plus the fluorescent overhead lighting, currently off. Sunlight comes in through a window to my left.

“Oh my God,” a familiar voice cries. “He could’vedied.”

I blink. My thoughts are sluggish, and it takes a moment to register who’s gripping my hand so tightly. My skin crawls, and I yank away.

Instinct.

“Baby,” she sobs. “You’re okay. You’re going to be fine. Your parents are on their way and they asked me to keep you company.”

Her face is familiar, but I can’t for the life of me remember her name. I stare at her. The blonde hair, the pert, ski-slope nose, the obvious lip filler. It’s so unlike the one person I want to see.

“Where’s Briar?” My voice is hoarse and rasping, and ithurts.Pain like never before radiates through my throat. Did I swallow glass?

“Shh.” She reaches for my hand again.

I bump the remote in an effort to avoid her and fumble for it, hitting the big redcallbutton. My gaze goes to the ceiling, and I try to swallow.

More pain.

My eyes water.