The first truck dropped off crates at a church. Truck two and three unloaded at a facility before heading to their next destination, and truck four hung back to follow us. I pressed my forehead to the window, watching the sun dip lower into the sky.

“Are we going home now?” I yawned.

My body jerked slightly from the bumpy road. I pushed against Rhett's solid chest to stop from smacking into him. The curve of his pecks tightened under my hand.

“Sorry.” I excused myself and folded my fingers on the headrest in front of me.

Rhett just smiled. He didn’t say anything to annoy me or make me flush with heat.

“One more stop.” Ozzie kept his eyes straight ahead.

No gliders, no people traveled the broken street. There was only endless, tall grass beside the upturned cement, poking up through the cracks and swaying against the wind.

“But you can’t go far on this route in a ground vehicle,” I said. “There are potholes and debris. It’s dangerous.”

“We’re going to the other side of Abandoned City, to an area we call, Hope City.” Rhett placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “It was the first place we stayed when we got out of ISAN. We met Cleo on our way there, who was nice enough to give us shelter. She knows nothing about ISAN. I’d like to keep it that way to keep her safe. She arranged a meeting for us with a man named Zen. Not all drifters are Ozzie’s zombies. Like I said before, they are often good people who were wronged by the councils. That is how they see it, anyway. They want nothing to do with society and avoid technology. As a way to thank them for sheltering us, we take them community food and supplies each month. They don’t expect us to, but I need to. If it wasn’t for them, we would’ve been lost.”

“Why didn’t they go with you? Why didn’t you live together?” I asked.

“There are women and children. We didn’t want to risk their lives. It doesn’t matter. They wouldn’t have come anyway.”

My gaze drifted out the window again, focusing on the reflection of Rhett, Ozzie, and Reyna. What generous and wonderful people they were. Out of ISAN, they were able to do so much more, be so much more ...

Be someone important.

By the time I got to Hope City, clouds decorated the sky with orange and fiery red, like a dragon’s angry breath. I couldn’t peel my eyes away. I imagined the creature sweeping down to carry me away, and wished I could see the sun set every day.

Men from Hope City helped unload the two trucks. I had imagined them rough and uncivilized, but they dressed casually—pants and shirts—and were surprisingly well groomed.

A few had Tasers or guns tucked under their waistbands. My gut told me there was more than food and supplies in the crates. Weapons perhaps? And the men who rode in the other four trucks—who were they really?

Rhett got out to talk to an older man with gray hair. Zen, I assumed. The man gave Rhett some bottles I recognized from the medicine cabinet and a backpack, probably more medical supplies. Rhett patted the guys who’d helped load crates to our truck, then hopped into the back seat and we took off again.

People from Hope City seemed happy and content, as far as I could tell. I wondered what they did for entertainment and what their living conditions were like. Did they have electricity or running water?

“You can’t see it from here, but they live pretty comfortably. There’s even a school,” Rhett said, as if he read my mind. “Just beyond those gates is an area with less damage. There are trees, grass, and even small animals. I’ll take you one day, if you’re curious.”

I wanted to say yes, but ISAN could find me any day. Best to not make promises. Instead, I watched the people shrink as we drove away.

Rhett’s knee brushed against my leg, then his arm snaked behind my head. I bristled and the weight of his glances unsettled me, so I stared right back at him, only it gave me no reprieve. Our eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity, as time seemed to be nonexistent. I saw love, hope, and life ... until the car jerked.

I wanted to ask where we were headed, but I decided not to bombard them with questions. I’d asked enough for one day.

We took a detour off the street, over dead grass and gravel. Then about a mile later, the truck stopped behind a cluster of tall, abandoned buildings. The outer few had crumbled, but one in the middle looked steady and had an intact solar panel.

“You get one hour and that’s it.”

I’d never heard Ozzie talk sternly before, especially to Rhett.

“Those jets are in the back of the truck. Have fun, kids. The clock is ticking.”

The sound of Ozzie’s laughter made me wonder what they were up to.

Jets? I swallowed.

“Try not to fall too hard.” Reyna winked at me. “I hope you’re not as afraid of the dark as you are of heights.”

What were they talking about?

Rhett got out of the truck, took some stuff out of the back, and then opened my door. “You heard the boss, Ava. Leave your backpack and your hat here. We only need mine. Let’s go.”

When I got out of the truck, he led the way until we reached an elevator shaft.

I took a step back. “Seriously? We’re getting on this?”

“You’re not afraid to be alone with me inside a dark elevator, are you? Trust me, it’s all good.” He smirked.

I glared. “Fine.” I took a step inside when Rhett opened the door.

The elevator rattled on the way up. Rhett wasn’t edgy like the last time I’d seen him inside one. I, on the other hand, held my breath.

Spiders had marked their territory with intricate web designs on each corner. Paint flakes accumulated on the walls, showing the structure’s old age. It stunk of something rotting, but other than that, the building proved to be sturdy.

“I forgot to tell you—”

“Forgot to tell me what?” I jumped into Rhett’s arms and yelped when the elevator made a loud, screeching noise and rattled to a stop.

“That. It stops one flight short.” He lifted a shoulder. “It’s an old building. We’ll have to climb.”

“Thanks for the warning.” I pushed away from him. Our bodies had created too much heat and I became lightheaded.

Rhett squeezed his fingers through the narrow gap and pulled the doors open. Then he took out a flashlight from his back pocket to illuminate the stairs in front of us—rickety steps with only a skinny handrail to prevent a fall.

“After you.” He gestured.

“Wow. Lucky me.”

“You are lucky.” He snickered.

I held onto the wrought iron banister and made my way up, keeping my eyes on the areas lit by the flashlight.

“Don’t look down, Ava.” Rhett’s words resonated in the shaft.

“Now I want to look down. Thanks for the reminder. Jerk.”

“Maybe we should’ve switched. Instead of me watching your fine ass, you could be concentrating on mine.”

My cheeks burned as I let out a short laugh. But ... He thinks I have a fine ass?

“Enjoy the view, because that’s the most you’ll see of it.”

Rhett kept quiet the rest of the way. When I reached the top, I found myself on a platform big enough to fit two people. He pushed a square metal door open, went through, then helped me out.

I gasped and covered my mouth. Driving within the Abandoned City, I’d had an idea of the damage, but seeing the whole picture, the gaping ruins and glimpse of former magnificence devastated me. In the center, the aftermath of meteors had left their mark—colossal craters.

As the sun faded, the outline of the destruction disappeared against the darkened sky.

“Wrong side.” Rhett shifted me with his hands on my shoulders.

I walked to the edge until panic surged in my throat.

No matter how many times I’d seen a view of the living city from the web and the sub-glider, nothing compared to that moment. The view stole my breath as I gazed upon endless twinkling pinpricks in the distance—colors from the city lights illuminated to life. A vast difference from the other side of the building. Two worlds. One from the past and one in the present.

Rhett set down his bags and steadied the flashlight on the ground. “This is what I wanted to show you. I asked Ozzie and Reyna for this favor. Happy Birthday. You’re eighteen today.”

“It’s my birthday?”

I had forgotten about it. My foster parents had never celebrated my birthday and it had been ignored in juvenile detention all those years. Eventually, it became nonexistent.

Rhett took a step toward me and rubbed the back of his head, seemingly nervous. “I don’t have anything expensive to give you. Only a memory. This is my gift to you.” He extended his arm and made a complete circle, as if his gift was the world.

The city lights shimmered as I fought back the tears. “I think this is the best birthday present anyone has ever—”

I bit my bottom lip to hold in a sob. It was the only gift since the little doll my mom had given me when I turned thirteen. My last present from her, long since lost.

Without thinking, I reached for his hand and stood next to him under the night sky, under the stars and the moon. The universe joined us in a mesmerizing moment of awe. Nothing mattered. I drifted to another place and time where Rhett and I were a real couple, and I was not an assassin, but a simple girl.

I’d dreamed of moments like that, of being a normal teenager in love. I’d go on dates, and he’d show me how much he cared with thoughtful gestures like this. But like all dreams, I had to wake up.

Rhett wrapped his arms around me when I shuddered. The cold, brisk wind slapped us, breaking our tranquility. He held me tighter when I trembled, and I wanted to hold onto this moment of serenity and stay in his arms forever.

“Thank you,” I said. And I meant those simply words to the depth of my core. I closed my eyes as if to still the competing emotions running through me. Then I opened them on his loving smile. “This is very sweet of you. It’s breathtaking.”

“I knew you’d like it. You used to talk about how you wanted to see the city lights from a tall building.”

My smile faltered. The picture I’d seen of the two of us lips to lips, looking so happy, flashed in my mind. Every time he mentioned our past, it felt like an ice pick twisting deep in my heart with each forgotten memory. I still wanted him to be wrong, to catch him making up a lie. But so far, he’d been right about everything.

I didn’t want to be reminded about the past. I needed to know about the present. “Is there something going on between you and Cleo?”

Pressing my lips together, I chastised myself. The stupid question had sounded different in my head.

Rhett pulled back and searched my eyes. He curled his lips down at the corners, trying to hide a gloating smile.

Damn.

“Are you jealous?” A happy chuckle rang from his throat.

So jovial. I would never forget the sound of that laugh; music to my ears. But it had to end. I reminded myself I needed to go back to ISAN and find out what happened to my father and my twin. I also needed to tell Brooke about what I knew and had experienced, maybe Tamara, too. I wasn’t sure about Justine. Then I had to find a way to get us out.

Rhett would help me if I asked, but I didn’t want to get his hopes up. There was no guarantee nothing would happen to me and who knew how long it would take me to find my missing family. At those thoughts, I dropped my hand I’d rested on his arm.

His expression changed, and he laid his big hand over mine. His jaw tightened and his anguish-filled eyes searched mine. “I’m letting you go, Ava. You can leave tomorrow.” He stepped back, all playfulness gone. “I can’t keep you hostage forever. I only wanted a chance to open your eyes. I know you can’t remember any of the things I’ve told you, but at least I gave us a chance to start over someday. Even if a part of you wants to stay with us, I know you need to go back to ISAN to find answers about your family. I hate that I can’t be there for you. It’s killing me that I have to let you go after I found you again.”

I rubbed my arms and gazed at the stars, not knowing how to respond. Pressure built around my bottled-up emotions; if I opened them, I would explode. Unwanted tears welled in my eyes, pushing at the dam of my lashes.

Girls dreamed of a handsome guy madly in love with them. One stood in front of me and I was tossing him away. For what? A father and a twin who could be dead. A friend who might think I’m crazy. But ISAN was still a part of me. Still coming after me. I couldn’t run away without finding answers.

Rhett understood because he was like me. We were fighters. Survivors.

“Rhett?” Calling his name felt more familiar now than it had before. “Did we ever ...?”

I gasped when Rhett set his hands on my hips. He waited for our eyes to connect before he spoke. “Did we ever get this close? Yes. Did I caress your cheeks like this?” Rhett skimmed his hand on my face. “Yes.” He paused to run his thumb along the outline of my lips and grabbed my hand to place it on his chest.

Oh, God.

“Did our hearts ever feel like this, like they were going to explode from our chests every time we were near each other? Yes. Million times, yes. You feel that, Ava? My heart thunders for you and no one else. It knows when you’re near. You can feel that, can’t you?”

I nodded, drowning into him, warmth blazing through my body. My heart beat out of control, just like his. Everywhere he touched burned. Even his words made me dizzy.

“No one can take away my beating heart for you. You’re imprinted right there. Memories can be erased, but you can never forget an emotion that’s meant to last forever. You are my forever. Find me. Find us in your heart. That is my only request. Whatever it takes.”

My head spun. The lights below me whirled in a tunnel around us, and I floated weightless as the breeze. My breaths shortened as I watched his lips inch toward mine.

Rhett stopped and took out a small device from his backpack. Music filled the air. “Dance with me under the stars. I promised you one day I would against the city lights.”

I’d never heard the song before, but something told me it had once meant something to us. Another attempt to trigger my memory. Rhett’s body pressed against mine, and we swayed to the music.

Put your hand on my beating heart, as we dance under the stars.

I’ll sing you a love song, mending all time’s scars.

It was clear and simple you see.

We fell in love with just one glance.

We knew it was special when we took a chance.

A gamble worth taking, true love in the making.

We are forever. You and I.

I closed my eyes and listened to him sing. Serenity I’d never known filled me to my core. If it were possible, I would’ve floated off the roof. How could I have forgotten feeling that way? I wanted to hold on to the moment and make it last forever. Our slow dance broke down something inside me. When the music stopped, he cupped my face into his hands.

“Rhett, did we ever ...” I stopped. My face flushed with warmth, and I shyly dipped my chin.

I didn’t know how to ask it. Perhaps I didn’t want to know, being utterly drunk by his one last attempt to get me to remember him, to remember us.

Rhett ran his fingers through my hair, sending warm shivers through me.

“To answer the question I think you want to ask, yes. We had sex. And it was amazing. It was fireworks, baby. I’m going to kiss you, if you let me. Let me give you something to remember from the present and not from the past.”

I shuddered a breath and didn’t answer. The happiness suffusing me might have been past or present. It felt so real, so right, and I didn’t want to ever let it go. Without waiting for him, I crushed my lips to his.

Rhett pressed my body tighter and kissed me back, all madness and hunger, as if to make up for all the time lost. His stubble grazed my lips, my skin, but I welcomed the gentle pricks.

My lips moved with his in ways I never thought possible, desperate, and wanting more. Our locked lips felt so perfect, so familiar, like we’d kissed thousands of times. Though I couldn’t remember us having sex, I knew in my heart he had been incredible. And this kiss ... oh, this kiss ... this toe curling kiss ... utterly mind-blowing. Perfect in every way.

Rhett’s lips slowed to tender caresses, taking his time, and then began to nip at my neck. When his hands trailed lower down my spine, I arched my back from the euphoric sensation. Wanting more, my hands greedily explored the curve of his biceps and the defined chest I’d wanted to touch since I first set my eyes on him.

Sliding my fingers through his hair, I twisted his hair in sudden anger. I hated him for making me weak. Falling for him would only break me. If he’d forced me to stay, it would have been a relief in a way. But given a choice, the road I’d been on before was the only way. With this taste of him, Rhett would forever be imprinted on me. I freely gave him a piece of my heart I could never take back ... again, apparently.

Lights flashed in the corner of my eye.

“Rhett.” I pulled away, out of breath, eyeing his stubble that grazed on my lips. “I think ... I think I saw fireworks.”

Rhett rewarded me with the sexy smile that left me lusting for him.

“I want to say it was from my kiss, because I’m pretty sure you felt it inside you. But that’s Ozzie. Time to go.”

Blushing like an idiot, I reached down to find the latch when my body twisted back without my control.

“Not so fast.” Rhett rested his forehead against mine and gathered me in his arms. He embraced me as if he wanted to frame that moment forever in his mind. When his lips caressed my cheeks tenderly, I quivered under the warmth of his breath. “Promise me, Ava. Please try to remember us. Whatever it takes.”

“I promise,” I whispered. I meant it. His words tugged to the depth of my core, and I felt the sincerity and the pain in them.

I stayed in his arms, cheek to cheek, body to body, until another flash lit the sky soon after, and someone honked a horn frantically. A soft growl gushed out of Rhett.

“Second warning.” Rhett uttered an annoyed sound. “What’s so urgent? We should get going.”