Page 169 of Ruin Me With Lies

I’m too late.Death is here.For me.

With quiet acceptance, I turn and walk back to my twin.He’s caught off guard when I pull him into a hug, his whiskey splashing across my sleeve.

“If I’m taken out,” I say at his ear, “you know what to do, alright?No revenge.Just grab your girl and go.Live the life we planned.”

He pulls back, frowning hard.“What the fuck is this?Did you have one of your dreams?”

“No.Nothing from my dreams.But…something’s coming for me.And it’s close.”

“Whatthe fuckdoes that mean,” he grits out, gripping my arms.“Don’t say shit like that, man.”

“Just promise me, Lo.When it happens, you fuck off to the island, yeah?Leave this shit behind.”

“No.Fuck no.I can’t promise you that.”He backs up, shaking his head.“You’re literally my other half, Stef!No other motherfucker on earth will ever have my back like you do.How do you expect me to just—”

“Lo—”

BANG!

“What the—”

BANG!BANG!

We spin to the casino floor just in time to see staff scattering and scrambling for cover as a small army in black tactical gear and ski masks storms in, armed to the fucking teeth.

“How many Soldatis are on duty here tonight?”I ask.

“For whatever the fuck this is…not nearly enough.”

The assailants fan out, moving with coordination, establishing perimeters, securing angles, forming a path.A protected corridor for…

Ah,therehe is.Unmasked.Brazen.Furious.The man who’s always beaten me on the chessboard.Without fail.Always one move ahead.And this time’s no different.Because he’s found my newest weakness…

And he’s holding a gun to her head.

Darkness creeps at the edges of my vision.Time warps, the world distorting.It feels like I’m being pulled backward into a black hole.

“Well shit,” Lorenzo breathes.“It really is him.”

His voice snaps me out of it.I spin and bolt for the door.Hearing him right behind me, I jerk around and shove him back with both hands.“Stay up here.”

“Like fuck I am.He has Raya—”

“We can’tbothdie tonight, Lo!”I bite out, impatient.“I felt this coming.Trust me.FUCKING STAY HERE.”

His jaw locks, fists clench, and after a long beat, he gives a sharp jerk of his chin and steps back.

I race out to the elevator and slam the call button.The doors slide open instantly and I dive in, jabbing at the floor button.

Even at high velocity, the ride down feels eternal.

When the doors finally open, I sprint out, then stop short at the double doors leading to the casino floor.Take a minute to find my composure.

One breath...then another…and another…

Mute the rage.Override the emotion.Clear your fucking head.You have no weakness.She’snotyour weakness.She’s nothing.She means nothing.

When a delusory calm settles over me, I push through the doors and walk out.With leisurely steps, I slip my hands in my pockets, every muscle under strict command.