Page 155 of Uprising

“Where will you go?” I ask.

She shrugs for a second. “The Four Seasons.”

“You’re not staying in a hotel.” I snarl.

“It’s my decision.” She says.

“It won’t be safe.” I state.

“It’s no less dangerous than being here. Besides I can have security. And I’ll have space.”

I want to say no. I want to come up with so many objections as to why this is a shit idea but I can see from her face that she’s desperate. That she needs this. And ultimately it’s not my decision is it? She’s her own person. And from the sounds of it I’ve been suffocating her by forcing her to live like this.

“Will Ben go with you?” I ask.

It’s not my place to know what’s going on between them though I suspect there is still nothing. It’s still platonic and I’m starting to wonder if that’s all it will ever be on my sister’s part.

She shakes her head. “I want to be alone. I want to process this alone. I need space.”

“Okay.” I say. “But if you need anything, anything at all.”

She blinks back tears thanking me like I’ve done her a favour when in reality I’ve created this situation haven’t I?

“I’ll call a cab…” I begin.

“No, you won’t.” Ben says stepping out of the shadows. “I’ll drive you. I’ll make sure you’re okay and then I’ll go.”

She nods glancing around the room. “Okay, just give me a moment to pack.”

We step outside, into the corridor, Ben keeps his eyes averted and all to soon she’s there, with a suitcase that he’s taking from her and she’s kissing my cheek, murmuring that she’ll be in touch, not to worry, and then they’re gone.

She is gone.

I walk back into her room. It’s not as big as mine and Rose’s. I gave her first pick and she chose the smallest, most out of the way one which should have been a sign if nothing else was.

Fuck I’m an idiot.

But then I was trying to fix this. Trying to fix her.

Only I’m the reason she’s broken in the first place. I’m the cause of it. I put her in that situation. I caused all of this shit.

If I’d simply killed Darius that first time, if I’d done my research better, realised what was really going on with Rose, all of this would have been avoided.

I slam my fist into the wall, hearing the way my bones crunch and I grunt at the pain.

But my eyes register a movement, something that shouldn’t be there.

I stare out the window, down to where Rose and Lara are. They’re completely unaware. They’re completely oblivious.

She’s right behind them and neither of them have a damned clue.

I let out a shout, sprinting from the room, racing down the hallway.

How the fuck she even got inside the perimeter I don’t know but I don’t have time to consider it now. I have to stop whatever the fuck is about to happen.

I have to ensure that Carla motherfucking Capulet does not get anywhere near either of them.

Rose