Run To Rome

“Going with you.”

“—staying here with your sister. Where it’s safe.”

“It’s my video, Trent. My brother.”

He watched Simone work for a moment. She noticed his fingers curl into a fist on his thigh but didn’t think it had anything to do with pain when his gaze lifted to hers.

“Yesterday you didn’t trust me to stay with me. Today you don’t trust me to leave you.”

She gave him a fake smile, no longer sorry about her doubt when he clearly intended to ditch her. “Don’t take it personally.”

“How can I not?” he muttered. As Simone finished with his arm, he shrugged his uninjured shoulder and rose to his feet. “Fine. Come along and guard your damn video. You can watch your own ass while you’re at it, too.”

That argument was over much quicker than she expected. Instead of being relieved, she wondered what’d changed his mind. Nothing she’d said—she hadn’t said much—so what was he up to?

Simone handed him his shirt and then turned to Halli with a wrapped syringe and a bottle of clear medicine. “He requires a second shot tomorrow. Fill the syringe three milliliters and—”

“Me?” Halli’s gaze found Trent’s again. “We’re coming back here, aren’t we?”

“Not until we have your brother. I don’t want to risk leading anyone here until this is all over.” He paused a beat. “Now will you stay?”

Her stomach flipped at his ominous tone. “No.”

Trent held out a hand toward Simone. “I can give myself the shot.”

“I’ll do it.” Halli quickly took the supplies. If she hadn’t argued, the jerk would’ve left her behind and not come back. She’d give him a shot alright. When Trent’s gaze narrowed toward her, she maliciously added, “It might even be fun.”

“We’ll just see about that,” he warned softly as he pulled his shirt on. He jerked his chin toward the living room. “Say your goodbyes and let’s go.”

Halli made her way to the couch and looked down at Rachel. She hated to wake her, but didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye. Yesterday everything had seemed so surreal. Today it was harsh reality. As she moved around to sit on the edge of the couch, it struck her that there was a chance this could be the last time they saw each other.

Instant tears sprang to her eyes. She covered her face, took a deep breath, and wiped away the moisture on her cheeks. When she opened her eyes, she found Rachel watching her.

Halli forced a smile. “Hey, how are you doing?”

“I feel like I’m more than a little out of it, but I s’pose that’s a good thing. Not much pain.”

“That is good.” She took Rachel’s hand in hers. Noticed the broken, chipped nails that two days ago had been manicured to perfection, and prayed everything would turn out okay. “Listen, Rach, you’re going to stay here with Simone, and I’m going with Trent. We’ll be back tomorrow night with Ben.”

“That last part sounds good to me.” Rachel’s fingers tightened on hers. “Halli…I need you to know how sorry I am about all this.”

“I told you, it’s not your fault.”

“But we left you. None of this would’ve happened if we—”

“If I hadn’t insisted on filming those stupid swans,” Halli interrupted.

Rachel’s eyes widened. “Hal, this is not your fault.”

“I should’ve shut off the camera when you asked.”

She tried to pull away but Rachel held fast and ordered, “Stop it.”

They stared at each other until finally Rachel heaved a weary sigh. “We can’t change what happened, so this isn’t helping at all.”

“No, it’s not.” Halli squeezed her sister’s fingers. “But we’re gonna get him back, so you concentrate on getting better, and pray for Ben, okay?”

Rachel nodded.