Chapter 23

The soldier's forehead split with a spray of blood, and he collapsed backward, lifeless. Behind her, Wesley's face was as cold and steady as iron. Smoke swirled slowly from the barrel of his handgun. He sprinted to Natalie, wrapping her in a tense, protective embrace. "You okay?" Natalie shook her head and fixed her eyes on Nelson, who lay in the pool of blood. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. The cruelest revenge in the world wasn't hatred. It was when someone was willing to give their life to protect her, and she couldn't bring herself to believe in them anymore. ... Nelson had a dream. In the dream, there was no Lucas, Zia, filth, schemes, or betrayal. There was only the river behind their high school. The water glimmered under the moonlight, and a gentle breeze brushed his face. He placed the crooked little star boats on the surface of the water, one by one. Then, he walked up to Natalie, who was in her school uniform. His palms were sweaty. Staring at the woman w