Worth Dying for (A Dying for a Living Novel Book 5) by Kory M. Shrum Page B

guys, especially with Caldwell’s help. “Of course they are, but that doesn’t mean we can stay here. We need to get to Gloria and find out if Rachel and Gideon are okay.”
    “We’re searching for Gideon and Rachel now,” Nikki says, but she isn’t talking to me. Her voice goes all low and sweet for Ally. “I’ll notify you immediately if we learn anything.”
    Ally smiles at her. “Thanks. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
    “Have sex?” I guess. “Play Jenga? I’m sure there’s lots of things we can do without her, babe.”
    Nikki’s head angles slightly as her blue earpiece blinks to life. “I have to go. Try to act like a guest.”
    Nikki glowers at me from her glorified height. I hate that she is like eight inches taller than me. Of course, it makes it easier to sucker punch her in the gut. I consider doing just that, but with her fancy body armor it’ll probably hurt my hand. If I cry about my broken hand that wouldn’t look very cool. Of course, my healing powers would fix it pretty quick, which would look cool. Ah, decisions, decisions.
    “If I’m your guest then can I get a sandwich? I’d love a PB and J,” I say.
    Nikki slinks from the room with her teeth clenched.
    I sigh, daring to meet Ally’s eyes, knowing I’m in big trouble. “Can we go now?”
    “No.” Ally’s face is flushed red and her shoulders are scrunched up toward her ears. “No, we can’t go. You know why?”
    I open my mouth before I realize answering that question would be a death sentence.
    “We can’t go because Rachel and Gideon are missing, you’ve murdered eight people on live television, and I need to get ahold of Gloria!”
    You murdered eight people on live television. It’s like I’ve been shot in the chest again. Her words wind me. “You think I murdered them? Like on purpose? Like some heartless—”
    “I didn’t mean it like that. I know why you did it, but you shouldn’t have used your firebomb. It’s too dangerous.” Ally frowns and pulls at her face.
    “If 100 people or 1000 people point guns at you, I’ll do it again,” I tell her. I take both her hands in mine, trying to warm them. “You understand that, right? I don’t care how many people I have to kill to keep you safe.”
    Ally pulls away from me and takes a deep breath before rubbing her forehead. “I know. I know, and that’s a problem.”
    I’m sure as hell not going to apologize for protecting her. Even if that’s what she wants me to do. Suddenly the room feels too warm, heat itching at my collar. The shirt is scratchy where the blood dried into the fabric, making it stiff.
    “I’m going to try Gloria,” Ally says at last, turning away from me without a kiss, a hug, nothing. “Maybe she saw this, or if she didn’t, maybe she has insight. If I can’t get ahold of her, we’ll stick to the original plan.”
    I’m trying to remember the plan.
    Buy three tickets for Albuquerque, but get off in Oklahoma City. Travel to New Orleans from there.
    Ally sighs, her train of thought catching up to mine. “Maybe we can get Nikki to escort us to New Orleans.”
    I cock my head and give her a warning look.
    Ally mirrors me, mocking me. “Refusing help is what idiots do.”
    I snap my mouth shut and suck in a deep breath before speaking. My self-control lasts for about three seconds. “If you want to get back together with your ex-girlfriend, fine . But let’s not pretend that we didn’t leave them for a reason, and that now they’ve conveniently shown up. Nikki and Jeremiah are supposed to be in Chicago. It’s no coincidence that she’s here, following us around.”
    Ally stamps her foot. “I do not want to get back together with her!”
    Nikki appears in the doorway, stopping midstride. Both Ally and I turn toward the sound of her boots squeaking to a halt.
    “Don’t stop on my account.” Nikki’s face is blank and her voice suspiciously flat.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to sound so—”