If you love me | Alex Mahone

Chapter 24: No time to heal

'Hey, they found the next cardholder. He is in Vegas.'

'Are we leaving today?'

'No... well, yes. Michael is sending Lincoln, Sara, Sucre, and Roland. We have another task: T-Bag is here, and we need to find him to get Whistler's book.'

'Ok then... I need to get ready.'

'Oh no, you are not going anywhere. You need to rest.'

'I'm feeling better.' She lied.

'Brie.'

'You tend to do stupid things when I'm not there. I'm fine.'

'True, but Brie.'

'Four people, four possibilities to get him. I'm fine.'

'Brie.'

'You need at least someone to drive. I'm fine.'

'I can drive.'

'Alexander.'

'Brie. No. You did enough yesterday... more than enough... more than I... I just...'

He stood in front of her, not saying anything. He placed his hand on her cheek. It took her a tremendous amount of self-control not to react to the pain she was feeling. She saw his eyes becoming teary, and before she could say anything, she found herself in a tight embrace. She felt his heart beating fast and answered the hug a few seconds later. There was no need to talk, at least not right now. She sensed his fear, his guilt, his... love. He felt her sadness, her worry, her shame.

'I felt like I had no other option.'

He just hugged her tighter.

What Brie didn't know was that he had also been avoiding the rest of the team. Aside from Sara, he couldn't bear talking to anyone else. The story was out, their story. He was sure that whatever he was feeling right now didn't compare to how she was feeling. And yet, it was also his secret; he was part of that story, and his silence was a turning point for everything that came afterward. Now everybody knew. He didn't want to tell Brie, but he could guess that part of the reason why Wyatt was able to overpower her was that she had revealed her emotions, her motivations, her vulnerable side... and he was still a soulless and bloodthirsty man. She couldn't face him alone again, so they needed to be smarter and use his "advantage" against him. It was like Shales all over again.

He could see her shaking when they all had to gather to get on the same page about the simultaneous missions. Michael was saying different things, but he was not paying attention; he was more interested in intimidating with his gaze, whoever dared to look at Brie for longer than 10 seconds. When the meeting was over, and Roland was out of everyone's sight, she placed herself in the middle of the room. Alexander felt a knot forming in his stomach.

'I know you probably have questions... and I'll try to answer as best as I can, but I just want to tell you two things: I am not an assassin. I used to be, for several years, but my circumstances gave me no choice. I'm not crazy, and I won't kill all of you. I... care about all of you. Not Roland or Self, though. And two... you can call me Brie. That's my name.' She would always speak unbelievably fast and all in one breath when nervous. That's why Alexander would always do the talking. When she noticed everyone staring, she just quickly added. 'That's all, good luck to all of us.'

Sara gave her a quick hug before whispering something in her ear. Sucre gave a high five, and as they were approaching each team's van, Lincoln's voice could be heard loud and clear.

'See you soon, Brie.'

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