Page 111 of Desecrated Saints
BROOKLYN
FOURTH OF JULY (REMIX) - FALL OUT BOY
Sitting in the bland waiting area, I’m surrounded by comfortable sofas, fake office plants and generic artwork. Being in an unfamiliar environment is making me anxious as hell, but knowing that Enzo and Hunter are taking testimony from Patient Two in the next room gives me some reassurance.
I volunteered to come, as she was the first witness to be called. She looked terrified, holding my hand until the very last second. Being separated from Lucia is hard for her after so long spent protecting one another.
They’ve holed up in their apartment since arriving, but I had a brief chat with them last night to explain the plan. Honesty in exchange for a chance, but only if we can convince the world it’s the truth.
Four stony-faced government agents went in over an hour ago, their slick suits and shiny briefcases paired with glaring ID badges. They insisted on meeting in a neutral location to begin with—a safe house in Central London that’s been converted into an office space.
“Hey.” Hudson strolls in with two cups in hand. “Brought you a coffee. Want anything to eat? There’s a shop down the street. I could get you a peanut butter sandwich. Your favourite.”
I accept the steaming drink. “How do you remember that?”
“I made enough of them in the middle of the night. You clearly didn’t learn your lesson when Mrs Dane refused to give you dinner. But still, you kept talking back.”
“She never learned that hitting me and starving me don’t work. How are the others?”
“Kade texted. They’re back at HQ. Phoenix is resting while Eli plays nurse to them both. Seven is outside, glaring at anyone walking past the building. He hasn’t moved since we got here.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary, then,” I snort.
“Typical psychotic behaviour. That’s Seven, right?”
Studying the rugged lines of Hudson’s face over the rim of my cup, I find no resentment there. He’s vehemently hated Seven since the beginning, refusing to change his stubborn-ass ways. This nightmare has changed us all in so many ways.
“What about you?”
“Me?” he echoes.
“Are you okay?”
Hudson frowns at me. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“We will have to testify under oath about our pasts. Every last gory, messy detail will be laid out for the entire world to hear and judge when Incendia is exposed. It doesn’t make you nervous?”
Draining his cup, Hudson crushes it easily in his scarred fist. When he stands and checks the time instead, I wait for him to fire a typical asshole response.
“How long will she be in there for?” he asks distractedly.
“Uh, probably a few hours.”
“Let’s get some air.”
Reaching out a tattooed arm, I’m offered his hand.
“Come on, blackbird. I won’t bite.”
“Maybe I wouldn’t mind if you did.”
Our fingers slot together like puzzle pieces as he softly kisses my lips. Those brief, tender flashes of the sullen boy that made me peanut butter sandwiches never fail to melt me inside. We sneak out before anyone can notice, Hudson’s feet skipping down the staircase with an odd sense of excitement.
When we break outside, Seven stiffens. “Problem?”
“Calm down, guard dog.” Hudson mock salutes him. “Last time I checked, we’re still free citizens. Let’s go have some fun. I ain’t sitting in that waiting area all morning.”
“It isn’t safe to be wandering around.”
