CHAPTER 34
OLIVE
For just a moment,Brock was vulnerable. I saw a kinder side of him, a side of a man who isn’t burdened by demons he’s not willing to share.
But his defense is back up, and he’s shut down again. “How do you propose we do that?” He asks carefully, and I shake my head.
“Something has to change.” I glance at his ruined television, then back at him. “I assume you saw she jumped.”
He nods, his face blank.
“And obviously, the video of the woman being drugged—”
“Yes, I saw that,” he barks, and my eyes widen at his tone.
“…Okay. Well, you’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. And you have connections in the tech world. Killian has street connections, and I’m sure Dylan knows important people. There’s got to be something—”
“What do you propose we do?” He snarls, stunning me. “What could youpossiblydo to help them?”
My mouth falls open. “Well, not justme,but maybe there’s someone we can contact—”
“There’s no one to contact, Olive. There’s nothing anyone can do.”
I narrow my eyes. “That’s not true, Brock. Ever. There’s always something that can be done.”
Brock fuckingexplodes,and the monster I met the first day is back, scaring theshitout of me.
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard you say,” he growls, letting go of my hand and pushing away from me. “Besides asking me to take you toMexico.”
I shake my head in disbelief and stand up. “What is wrong with you?” I yell. “Why does this piss you off so much? If anyone should be upset, it’sme!I’mthe one watching Omegaskillthemselves and—"
“It upsets me becauseyouwant to put yourself in danger!” Brock stands up as well, the souring scent of his anger creating nausea in my gut. “Nothing will stop what’s started.”
But my anger matches his own.
I refuse to let him kill my hope.
“Youdon’t get to make that choice,” I hiss. “There’s always a chance. We have to at least try. I don’t know, fucking poison them for all I care. Mess with their security systems—”
“No.”
It’s one simple word, but it destroys me.
“I won’t let you start a fight with thegovernment,Olive.”
I had hoped he would listen. I thought he wouldunderstand.If anyone could help me craft a plan, it would be him.
“I thought—”
“You thought wrong. This isn’t a movie. You’re not living in reality.”
Every word is a knife in my heart.
“My reality,” I spit, staring up at him. “Has been turned upside down in mereweeks. My reality is darker and more horrifying than you willevercomprehend.”
I turn around and yank open the door, slamming it shut behind me.
Tears cloud my vision as I walk down the hallway, fuming in my heartache.