Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 111

(Hendrix's

POV)

I agreed to this, didn't I? To sit here, in this pseudo meeting room with the same person I'd sworn to stay away from. Thomas leaned over the table, pointing at the map of the center as he laid out the escape plan. Every word out of his mouth

grated against my nerves.

"Everyone clear on this?" he asked and looked up. His gaze landed on me, and I could see he was a bit uncertain. Good.

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair. "Crystal," I muttered.

Angel shot me a warning glance, but I ignored it. She might be able to compartmentalize her feelings for him, but I couldn't. Not when the sight of them together still burned. "Look," Thomas sharpened his tone. "I don't need your approval, Hendrix. Just your cooperation."

"And you think you'll get that by barking orders?" I shot back. "You really think I'd blindly trust you, after everything?"

Thomas's jaw tightened, and I could see the effort it took for him to keep his temper in check. "You don't have to trust me. You just have to trust that I want us all to make it out alive."

I scoffed. "Trust isn't your strong suit, is it?"

"Hendrix," Angel's voice broke through; she sounded exhausted "Enough."

When I glanced at her, my chest tightened at the way she looked at me like I was the problem. Like I was the one making things difficult. Maybe I was.

"Fine," I said and stood abruptly. "Just tell me what needs to be done."

Thomas nodded and kept his expression neutral, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. Good. Let him feel the weight of this too.

continued, I tuned out most of what was said as my focus drifted to Angel. She sat close to Thomas with her hand resting on the edge of the table. She didn't look at me once. Not even when Thomas mentioned the most critical parts of the

I stayed behind and let everyone else file out. Angel hesitated at the door and

there for a while, just staring at the map. It wasn't just about escaping anymore. It was about protecting her, even if she didn't want me to. Even

.

(Angel's POV)

my bed. The others were busy, finalizing details, checking supplies, or going over the plan for the hundredth time. I should've been helping, but

Hendrix until he

busy?" he asked with a

my

behind him. For a moment, neither of us said anything. He

here,"

are you?" I shot back, more harshly

his gaze dropped to the floor. "Because I need to know... that you'll

off guard. "Why wouldn't

head. "Do you even hear yourself? You're throwing yourself into this plan, trusting people you shouldn't, taking risks..." "I'm doing what I have to," I interrupted.

he asked and stepped closer. "Some

what about you, Hendrix? You've been shutting everyone out. You've been shutting

out.

the small space

shot back as his eyes burned into mine. "You've moved on, Angel. You've made your choice. I'm just

forced myself to stay strong. "We don't have time for this. We need to focus on the

said coldly.

of us moved. Finally, he stepped back and ran a hand through his hair.

nodded, unable to

slip down my cheek. We weren't okay, but at least

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