Cast The Die

Chapter Thirty-Six

The next morning, I went downstairs to find the place spotless, it looked exactly how it did when we first got here, like it hadn't been lived in.

"We're leaving" Cole said. My heart sank, not because I wanted to stay here, but because this meant something bad was happening. "They've got Jon, I answered the phone and Vinnie was on the other end. Get ready, we're going now" he said sternly. I nodded and did as he said.

Silence has never been awkward between us until now. I stared out of the window, thinking of something to say to make this car journey more bearable.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I'm taking you home" he said.

"Where are you going?" I don't know why I was so worried about his response.

"To kill Vinnie" he said, clenching his jaw, not taking his eyes off the road.

"What? No, you can't! You'll get yourself killed!" I shouted, although I don't think he cared. I'm finally going home, finally able to see my parents, and all I can think about is his safety.

"I don't care" he said. I knew it. "He's got Jon, I don't even know if he's alive" he said through gritted teeth. "They're after me. Not you"

"Let me come with you" I said, although, I have no idea why.

"What?" he scoffed. "Definitely not. Didn't you hear me? You can go home; you can see your family" he looked over at me. I know exactly what he said, and my brain is telling me to shut up.

"But you can't!" I shouted. "You can't...you can't just..."

"What, Macey? I can't what?" he shouted back. I can't find the words. He swerves the car onto the side of the road. Before I can say anything, he reaches over and grabs the back of my head, pulling me towards him and smashing his lips onto mine. I lean into him, pulling on his t-shirt, kissing him back. I feel a tear fall onto my cheek and onto our joined lips, his hands move to my cheeks and he pulls away making our eyes meet. The feeling of his thumb stroking my cheek, wiping away my tears, makes me tremble. I place my hands on top of his, leaning my face onto his palm and he kisses me gently on my forehead. I knew that was him saying goodbye.