Hale by Daphne Loveling

A favor will kill you faster than a bullet.
It’s been years since the disaster that destroyed our lives.
Years of me trying to forget everything that happened.
Of trying to forget her.
I thought I finally had.
Now, the only girl I’ve ever hated
Shows up in the last place I ever thought I’d see her.
This world I live in –
the world she’s turned up in –
It’s too dangerous for her.
She needs my help,
Even though she doesn’t want it,
And I sure as hell don’t want to give it to her.
I can’t tell her yes.
But even worse,
I f*cking can’t tell her no.
I have to protect her, even though everything in me is telling me to just walk away.
She’s always been an addiction
One I’ve tried my hardest to resist.
I’m about to lose that battle.
I’ll go through hell for her.
Even if this favor ends up putting a bullet straight through my g*dd*mn heart.