“Harmony,” he told me one night, soft and tired, “she’s not okay. She’s been through hell. Please, give her time. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
I thought he was just guilty. That once he had closure, he’d come back to me.
But I was wrong. So damn wrong. My mother’s dead. My brother nearly died.
And his scream... it won’t stop playing in my head.
When we got down from that site, I lost it.
I screamed. I kicked. I threatened to burn that entire fucking building to the ground if they didn’t tell me where Aziel was.
Then the elevator gate opened.
A guard stepped out, carrying him.
Aziel.
Alive.
Barely conscious, but breathing.
“Ma’am,” the guard said, “he’s okay. Passed out. Mr. Masterson had rescue pads installed under the crane. He landed safely.”
I collapsed. I sobbed so hard I couldn’t see. Hakeem came over, all calm and proud. “This is what happens when you disobey me,” he said quietly. “Let’s not go through that again.”
Then he walked off.
Rain started pouring.
And I… I stood there. Alone with my brother. Soaking wet. Numb.
I pulled out the old burner phone I kept hidden in the lining of my bag. The one he didn’t know about.
I dialed.