Page 140 of Lovers Like Us

I hear footsteps and a faraway voice. “Kinney, I’m coming! Back away!” That’s BanksMoretti.

“Kinney,” Iforce.

She angles the phone to her face. “Moffy, I can’t just…” she cries, the knife still inhand.

“Please,” I say with everything in my fucking soul, “go to your room. Waitthere.”

Morefootsteps.

Kinney sobs and drops to her knees in aheap.

I want to be in Philly. Where I can pick my sister up and carry her far, far away from this. “Shh, it’s okay,” I say, chained and shackled here. Watching her pain and heartbreak through a phonescreen.

Goddammit.

My eyesburn.

I’m numb. Ignoring a weight that descends on mybody.

Kinney flips the camera, not wanting me to see her cry. But now I see the hall, his bedroom door and flakedwood.

Heels clap, and Aunt Rose rounds the corner fast.Urgent.

Banks Moretti runs past, and behind Rose comes Uncle Ryke and Aunt Daisy, her blonde hair blowing as she runs towards mysister.

Rose notices Kinney too and squats. “Kinney, give me.” She tears the knife out of Kinney’s fingers, strokes her head, and stands at theready.

Daisy does what my mom would want to do. She wraps her arms around Kinney and hugs her tight. Kinney bawls in our aunt’sshoulder.

“We’re here, we’re here,” Daisy whispers in the sweetestvoice.

Banks and Ryke kick the door twice, and they disappear inside the room with Rose. Agonizing seconds pass. More security floods the hall, then about four of my younger cousins rush in behind. Bodyguards restrain them from reaching Xander’sroom.

Kinney must drop her phone. Screen is black, and voices jumble, too hard to piece apart thechatter.

I turn my head to check Luna. Christ, she was supposed to be on a plane back to Phillytoday.But she missed her flight five hours ago. Thanks to the crowdoutside.

Luna is on the hotel bed, burying her head beneath herMoody Bluesshirt, but Jane holds my sister against her chestcomfortingly.

I look at Farrow. Instinctive. His hand is off my shoulder while he clutches hisphone.

His eyes bore into my eyes. I inhale, but my defenses shut down any emotion that fights to surface.Numb.

I’m numb, and he knows not to touch me or hug me. Because I’ll flinch. I don’t want to be cut open and bare. Not here, not with anaudience.

He nods, and I don’t just see anI love youwritten in his softening gaze. I feel it growing like a light inside ofme.

“What was that?” Akara is on the phone, the only line of communication now. “Okay…” He eyes all of us. “Xander’sokay.”

I’m caging breath. Air stillstrained.

“He…” Akara stares off as he listens to the other person. “He was in his bathtub with headphones on…okay, thanks. Hey, yeah, okay…” He lowers his cell and tells us, “He didn’t hurt himself. He’s on the phone with his mom and dad right now. Lo wants Alpha to remove the hinges on hisdoor.”

Now everyone collectively breathestogether.

He’sokay.

My brother isokay.