@@@@@I cringed, expecting a weaponThe words
@@@@@I cringed, expecting a weaponThe words stumbled off my
tongue in a choked whisper“Don't get in his way, Ian
Ian didn't respond to my pleaI was surprised at the amount of anxiety this caused me, at how
much I didn't want him hurtIt wasn't the instinctive protection, the bone-deepneed to protect,
that I felt for Jamie or even JaredI just knew that Ian should not be harmed trying to protect
me
Kyle's hand came back up, and a light shone out of itHe pointed it at Ian's face, held it there
for a momentIan didn't flinch from the light
“So, what, then?” Kyle demanded, putting the flashlight back in his pocket“You're not a
parasiteHow did it get to you?”
“Calm down, and we'll tell you all about it
The contradiction did not come from Kyle but from behind himI watched Jared walk slowly
toward us through the silent spectatorsAs he got closer, Jamie still clinging to his hand with a
bewildered expression, I could read his face better under the mask of dirtEven Melanie, all but
delirious with happiness at his safe return, could not misunderstand the expression of loathing
there
Jeb had wasted his efforts on the wrong peopleIt didn't matter that Trudy or Lily was speaking
to me, that Ian would put himself between his brother and me, that Sharon and Maggie made no
hostile move toward meThe only one who had to be convinced had now, finally, decided
“I don't think anyone needs to calm down,” Jared said through his teeth“Jeb,” he continued,
not looking to see if the old man had followed him forward, “give me the gun
The silence that followed his words was so tense I could feel the pressure inside my ears
From the instant I could clearly see his face, I'd known it was overI knew what I had to do
now; Melanie was in agreem