Just as I reached for Rudy’s hand, another one landed on my shoulder, and Rip’s voice was clear as he asked, “Let me do it.” I didn’t look at him. Instead I took in my cousin’s face, pained and angry and furious—a reminder of a time in my life I never wanted ever again after this. “I can do it,” I told Rip. “I want to,” he assured me quietly. And it was that that had me glancing up at him again. His face was still red, his breathing was still pretty off, and he looked… furious. For me?
