Page 15 (1/2)

Another high-pitched shriek cuts through the earlyevery step of the way It hurts but I have to get to her I have to protect her

I barge into the living rooe, attack and disreets my eyes is so unexpected that instead I stop suddenly

"Tank? What the hell are you doing?"

The question haltsRissa around on his shoulder Like two children caught in the act, they both freeze and look over at me Rissa looks up fro over her face and down Tank’s back The big s on?" I ask again since neither of the me an answer

Tank puts her down and once she’s steady on her feet, Rissa yanks her shirt down and glares at hiotten the memo that we’re adults now He thinks he can still lift me up and spin me around to try to rins back at her "Old habits die hard"

Rissa tries to maintain her stern expression but finally a sht your brain would have finally caught up with that big body by now but it seems you’re still thirteen years old inside"

It kills to see her s she’s been denying to me for the past few days Every sed with sadness but the first tioddamned Christmas tree?

I grit e to throw the at seven a when a wo, bro"

Rissa flushes as red as her hair "Tank, it’s not like that Your brother hiredbusiness? That’s awesoh in every word She rushes over to the couch where she’s left her things and reaches into one of her bags "Here’sservices or you know anyone who does"

Tank takes the card and slips it into his pants pocket "I’ll definitely do that I work for Alexander Security anda satellite office down here I’ colad I ran into you again!" Rissa is practically dancing where she’s standing And she’s looking up at Tank like he’s just promised to personally bankroll her entire operation All he’s done is promise to pass on some information

"Why are you here, Tank?" Not that it’s unusual for my brother to visit but it’s rarely this early in the uilty look on his face tellsto catchhi at Mom’s bedside But I’m not ready to have some kind of heart to heart with my brother where he asks a bunch of questions that I’lances over at Rissa and then his sood hands So I’ll get out of here and back home to my lady If I’et in a cuddle"

I scohen Rissa practically ain