Equilibrium (Marauders #4.5) Read Online Free

to say thank you an extra time, then,” Eliza said and took off towards the clubhouse.
    Bull was one of few men Eliza could stand. Mel had a good idea why that was, but no matter what the reason was, she was glad there were some people Eliza trusted and wanted to be around. Mel was even more grateful for Billie. The first few months, Billie had been the only one who could get Eliza to leave the house. Mel didn’t even have a problem with them going to the shooting range. She liked the idea of Eliza being able to use a gun, and she knew Billie could teach her in a safe way.
    Later that night in bed, Brick turned towards her and took the book from her hands.
    “She was smiling.”
    “Who?”
    “Eliza. In the alley. She was with Roach, and she was smiling. A real smile.”
    Eliza didn’t smile much anymore, it was just one of many ways she was different, and it was sad that something as small as a smile from her was now a big deal. Because it was.
    “He’d said something confirming her suspicions that we’d bought some of the gifts the other guys gave her,” Mel explained.
    Brick ran his thumb and index finger over his moustache the way he always did when he was thinking. She loved that gesture, and she leaned over and gave him a kiss.
    “It’s killing me,” he mumbled. “I fucked up, my baby girl got hurt, and I don’t know…”
    “You can,” she whispered. They’d had this conversations so many times. “You can keep us safe.”
    “But I couldn’t, and she’s gone. I mean, she’s here, but it’s not her. And what’s really killing me is that she doesn’t hate me.” He took a deep, controlled breath. “I’d fucking do anything…”
    Mel knew the end of that sentence. He’d do anything if it made her feel better for just one second.
    “It’s slow, but it’s going in the right direction, honey. She loves you, with all her heart, just like I do, and that’s why she doesn’t blame you. You’re her hero.”
    “Some fucking hero,” he muttered.
    “You want to know the real reason?” she asked and hugged him closer. “You blame yourself enough for all of us.”
    Brick didn’t answer and after a deep sigh, he actually smiled a little.
    “I’d almost forgotten.”
    “What?”
    “How beautiful she is when she smiles.” He finally turned his head and gave her a kiss. “Like you.”

CHAPTER TWO
    Suits You
     
    ~oOo~
     
    ELIZA REALLY LIKED MAC and Mitch’s comics, and they always let her borrow them if she was careful. Then she realized they had others that they wouldn’t let her read.
    “Who’s this?” she asked and held up a book. Some of the comics were in books, and she liked those better than the thin ones with different comics mixed.
    “Spider Jerusalem,” Mitch answered before taking it from her. “You’re not old enough for that one yet.”
    He said that often. He had loads of comics, or ‘graphic novels,’ as he called them, that he wouldn’t let her read.
    “When can I read that one, then?”
    “I’ll let you know.”
    She sighed and picked up a Spider-Man. “Is it good then?”
    “Really good. I think you’ll like it.”
    “What if you forget about it before I’m old enough?” she tried, and pointed at the book in his hand. “Maybe it’s better if I read it now?”
    “You’re eleven. It’s maybe, like, four years before you can read it. And no one forgets about Spider Jerusalem and Transmetropolitan, Buttercup.”
     
    ~oOo~
    Eliza
     
    I didn’t have all that many reasons to remember what day it was, but I knew it was Tuesday, since I had rehearsals that day. Thursdays were my sessions with Doctor Flores, but those were the only two weekdays I needed to keep in mind. It had been decided that I would take a year off before my senior year. I hadn’t exactly been present for that discussion, but around October I’d realized I’d forgotten about school. I didn’t mind. It would suck to have to start in a new class, but at the same time it might be