Stay

5

"Stay away from me, Reid."

"Alayna, I'm alone. I am here to-"

"Help? I don't need your fucking help."

My brother raised an eyebrow, holding up his hands. "I'm not with Caelan. I'm not going to turn you in. I won't ask questions. Just please don't run from me."

My hands trembled with fear. Not fear of my brother, but what Mr. Curtis will do to him when he discovers Reid found me. I stumbled back but Reid lunged forward and gripped my wrist. "Don't you dare run from me, Alayna."

I shoved his chest but he didn't let go. "You lied to me, Reid! All of you lied."

He caught my other wrist. "Alayna. I don't know what's going on, but this ends now." I tried to move away but he held tight. His jaw twitched, his eyes fleeting over mine.

"Hey, get the fuck away from her." Karter came up behind Reid, the silver of a gun glinting in the moonlight, pointing it at my brother's head. "Boy, you've got five seconds to step away or I'll shoot you."

I rolled my eyes, pulling Reid behind me. "He's my brother, Karter. Put down your gun." Karter sighed but dropped his gun, tucking it back into his waistband.

"We need to leave, kid."

"He's right. Caelan and his team will be here-"

"What do you mean, his team?"

Reid swallowed. "Caelan ... he's leading the unit that is hunting you."

"What? I thought he was just working with them," I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

"He's relentless, Lannie. You know that and he wants you safe, he's willing to do anything. He's trying to do what's best for you."

"We have to go, kid." Karter snapped his fingers, annoyance etched in his features. "Alayna, where are you headed next? Gabe told me to stay with you."

"Who's Gabe?" Reid asked, reaching down and grasping my hand. I opened my mouth to tell him but Karter sighed with impatience.

"Your sister can tell you, after we leave."

Reid's eyes flicked to meet mine. I studied him. "Leave Reid. Go home."

"No. I'm older than you, don't tell me what to do."

"Can you have your sibling squabble later, we need to leave," Karter snapped and Reid glared at him over his shoulder.

"Who the hell are you, anyway?"

"We don't have time for this. Kid, let's go. Now."

"Don't tell my sister what to do, man."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and began walking towards Billy, leaving Reid and Karter to follow. Both of them bickering. Reid paused when we got to the car, his hand reaching for mine.

"Alayna. Are you sure, how well do you know him?"

"I just met him hours ago," I told him and my brother narrowed his eyes. "Don't look at me like that, Reid. He and Gabe have helped me. What's the point in killing me now?"

"The streets have done a number on you, Alayna," my brother muttered, shaking his head. "Are you sure-"

I nudged him in the ribs, effectively shutting him up with a painful groan. "I am sure. I may be ... unwell, right now but I'm not stupid."

"I never said you were, Lannie."

"Then trust me, Karter will help us get to Los Angeles."

"Why are you going to Los Angeles... no, Lannie. You can't-"