Your goals made me respect you, yes. But it was everything else that made me—” He shut his mouth, cleared his throat, looked away. Then back. “I told you that together we would find a way to do this, and I meant it. But I stand with you until the end. You, Tisaanah. If you wanted to run, I swear we’d find a way out. And if it all goes up in flames, I’ll burn right beside you and it will still be the best thing I—” I didn’t realize I was crying until I tasted salt. “Stop.”
