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.

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

the meeting ended, I stayed behind and let everyone else file out. Angel hesitated at the door and glanced back at me. Her eyes held a question, but she didn't ask it. She left without a

a while, just staring at the map. It wasn't just about escaping anymore. It was about protecting her, even if she didn't

.

(Angel's POV)

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

Hendrix until he was standing

he asked with a softer voice

shook my

stepped inside and closed the door behind him. For a moment, neither of us said anything. He leaned against the wall,

here,"

shot

to the floor. "Because

guard. "Why wouldn't I

shook his 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

and stepped closer. "Some noble sacrifice? Angel, you don't have to do

Hendrix? You've been shutting everyone out. You've

it's easier that way," he choked out. "It's easier than

the small space

it?" he shot back as his eyes burned into mine. "You've moved on, Angel. You've

ached at his words, but I forced myself to stay strong. "We

he said

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

nodded, unable to

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

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