Two weeks have passed. Fortunately, Mitch got better. He no longer had a fever, the wounds slowly started to heal, and he regained his strength.

Thomas's people weren't trusting Mitch. It was similar with the people of the older brother. They didn't trust us and we didn't trust them. However, we knew one thing. To defeat Luke, we had to join forces. We could only beat him together.

"Luke will probably figure we've joined forces." Mitch said as we came up with the plan. "He'll be prepared. "

"That's why we have to surprise him. " Thomas interjected.

"Which won't be easy at all. " I added and looked at the brothers who agreed with me.

"He knows us well enough to be able to predict our movements." Older Rapp said. "That's why we have to do it differently this time. People hidden in plain sight and distraction. " He said.

"He won't get away this time. " His brother supported him.

***

Once we have made the plan, it's time to implement it. We didn't want to wait any longer. We decided to start the action today. Not in the evening, but during the day. Just to surprise him.

Thomas, along with Jasper, Bellamy, and Murphy took the lead. They had one of the main tasks.

I had to arrive with Chris, Mitch's friend. Mitch assured Thomas that I would be safe with him. Ultimately, they finally decided to trust each other again.

I was just passing one of the rooms when I heard Mitch talking to Chris.

"Keep her safe. " Rapp said.

"Sure. " The other replied. "What are you going to do? "

"End this once and for all. " Man said and tucked the gun into his belt.

"At any cost? "

"At any cost. " Mitch replied. "When it's all over .." Rapp continued. "Promise me you'll take care of them. " Brunet looked at his friend.

"I will. " Chris replied. "But... What about you? "

"I just want to keep my family safe. " Rapp ran a hand through his hair. "I promised this to my parents and I intend to keep my word. No matter how it may end for me. "

"Mitch..." The other began, but Rapp cut him off.

"No. " He came closer to his friend. "I've already made up my mind." He said confidently. "It has to be this way. "

I couldn't stand it any longer and stepped inside as if nothing had happened.

Both men looked at me, then exchanged glances. After a while, Chris left the room, saying on the way that he would wait in the car and I was left alone with Mitch.

"You should go now. " Rapp said and tried to pass me by, but I prevented him from doing so. "Lydia..." Man sighed.

"You can't do it. " I entered his words. I figured out what he wanted to do.

"Were you not taught that eavesdropping is not nice?" He put his hands on his hips.

"Mitch. " I scolded him. "I know what you're up to. " I took a step closer to him. "You want to sacrifice yourself for him. " I said.

"And what? " Brunet looked at me. "This is my brother. It may not look like it, but I'll do anything for him. "

"I know that. " I entered his words, which caught his attention. "He needs you, Mitch. You need each other. " I walked over to Rapp closer. "When it's all over... Both of you should finally find peace. Start living anew. Seize another chance. "

"I already know how I'll use it. " Brunet interrupted me. "No, Lydia..." He didn't let me say a word even though I tried. "Thomas, he has you. He deserved a normal life. "

"You deserve it too. " I insisted. "I know what you did and who you were, but that's all in the past. " I said. "You've changed and that's the most important thing. Take another chance and... "

"I'm doing it right now. " He said. "My brother will finally be able to know what life is like without constant fear and running away. He'll know a real, happy life by your side. " Added and tried to pass me by, but I stopped him again.

"I love Thomas..." I agreed. "But that doesn't mean I don't care about you..." I added, which caught his attention. "I love him..." I said, looking into his eyes. "But I care about you too..." I walked closer to him. "I know why you do this. But it doesn't have to end this way. Mitch, please... " I took his hand.

Brunet glanced at our hands, and then looked back into my eyes.

"I promise Thomas will come back to you. " He said after a moment. "I can promise you that. "

"And will you promise me that you'll come back too? " I looked at him with tears in my eyes. "Can you promise me that...? Mitch? "

I didn't expect it, but I saw tears in his eyes that, surprisingly, he wasn't trying to hide. Rapp has changed, I've seen it. He has changed for the better. I didn't want to lose Thomas, but I didn't want to lose him either.

I was sure of my feelings. I loved Thomas, but the feeling I had for Mitch was also strong. Maybe it wasn't the love I had for the younger Rapp, but it was just as strong. I knew this.

I also noticed that Mitch had feelings for me as well. All this time, he was hiding it well. I was also sure that was why he no longer cared about his own life. He knew I loved his brother and Thomas loved me.

I couldn't let Tom lose his brother again because of me, and I couldn't lose my friend...

"Lydia..." Rapp began.

"Please..." The first tear ran down my cheek. "Promise me. "

We looked into each other's eyes without saying anything. I waited for the moment when he would give me his word that he would be back.

Moments later... I didn't believe I did it, but I did.

I kissed him, which he didn't expect. After a while, however, he returned the gesture hesitantly. I held his face in my hands and he gently touched my waist.

"You promise...? " I whispered as we pulled away a bit and looked into each other's eyes.

"I promise. " He said after a moment.

I smiled faintly at him, then hugged him tightly, which he immediately reciprocated.

Brunet gently stroked my head, and I cuddled up to his neck.