He gave me the most endearing and sweetest smile and my heart broke, literally.

My tears started falling, and my cousin stepped in, grabbing me up and wrapping his muscled arms around me. “Aw, cuz. Don’t.” He smoothed a hand down my hair and folded his body around mine. “I’m just so thankful you’re okay.”

I don’t know why it was my cousin.

Maybe he was just the last one I could handle, or how tender he was holding me, but I broke.

I was sobbing in his arms, and I didn’t even know why I was sobbing.

Maybe because of the stress of what I thought I was running into when I first got home? At seeing my dad? At hearing the true threat from the Red Demons? Of my dad saying goodbye in his way? Or everyone else coming when they heard I was in trouble?

I was sobbing. I was a mess.

I was a puddle of emotions, and I didn’t know how to rally myself. This was so un-Bren-like that even that was making me cry until after my cousin held me for a few more minutes, then the door opened and arms I knew so well took me from my cousin.

Cross had me, and that was enough for me.

The dam broke, and I fell all the way.

I’d have it no other way.

From: Tazsters

To: Brenners

Subject: first saying it here that I’m super glad you’re safe

That’s it. I’m done emailing.

We’re FaceTiming from now on.

Also, is this the wrong time to tell you that there’s something sexy about a guy in the white mask. Yes, scary as fuck. Yes, there’s creep vibes too. And most definitely dangerous, but yeah… kinda hot and I’m saying that in a whisper so don’t be mad at me.

SO WISH we’d known about the impromptu party at Casa de Cain.

OH! I know I called before, but I’m repeating again that Race and I are good. Miscommunication. He’s clueless when other girls try to flirt with him. I have since educated him, and he now treats them as if they have a virus.

The Best Twin

Two days later and I took the garbage out, when a shadow moved.

I whirled, not knowing what to expect.

Bonbon was there. There was no wind, nothing, and yet, her hair was moving around like she had her personal fan. I had no clue how she did it.

She raised her eyebrows up, dressed in camouflage, and she smiled, her teeth flashing in the dark. “The van option is there. Always.”

“Jesus Christ, Bon!” Hawk came up behind me and moved toward Bonbon. She took her arm, then turned to me. “Sorry. So sorry. She called me and insisted I drive her over. She was going to leave a casserole. That’s all.”