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.

meeting 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

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

anymore. It was about protecting her,

.

(Angel's POV)

of everything felt like it was pressing down on my chest as I sat on the edge of my bed. The others were

he

busy?" he asked with a softer

my head.

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

here," he said

why are you?" I shot back, more harshly than I

floor. "Because I need to know... that

guard.

into this plan, trusting people you shouldn't, taking risks..." "I'm doing what I

that what you think this is?" he asked and stepped closer. "Some noble sacrifice? Angel,

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

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

and crossed the small space between us. "This isn't about

moved

to stay strong. "We don't have time for this.

right," he said

stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. "Just... be careful," he said in a

nodded, unable

We weren't okay, but at least we were trying.

•