MILA 2.0_ Redemption - Debra Driza Page 0,111
it was certainly a little bit of justice served.
When Holland was barely conscious to fight back, Daniel and Samuel began dragging him. Toward me. I started to shake my head, knowing what they had in mind.
Daniel cut me short. “Mila, this is the only way we’ll know for sure those kids will be safe. And future kids. Other people’s Sarahs.”
I looked at Holland, my mind at war with itself. Taking him with me was murder. But leaving him behind could very well be too. I found myself seeking Lucas, one last time. My beautiful pacifist. There was no way he’d be okay with this.
What I saw in his eyes surprised me. “Like you said, they’ll keep coming. There are no guarantees what will happen to him in a trial.”
“Lucas,” I said, shaking my head.
His jaw flexed before he sighed. “I know. But if he chose?”
“Why on earth would—”
But Lucas was already walking away, heading straight for his half-conscious uncle.
So I waited. I waited while Lucas knelt down and whispered in his uncle’s ear. I saw Holland jerk, then flinch. A minute later, Lucas rose. “Put him in the copter,” he said. Samuel and Daniel complied, hoisting him into the passenger seat and buckling him in.
I approached the pilot’s side, where Lucas waited. “What did you say to him?” I asked. A little afraid.
“I reminded him how traitors are treated in this country. How his name would be ruined. He’d be a laughingstock, the brunt of jokes for years to come. I told him his life was pretty much over anyway, and if he went, we could try to keep his involvement quiet.”
“Lucas,” I started, but he shook his head, eyes fierce.
“I gave him a choice, and he took it. Don’t you feel bad for him. Not even for a second. A choice was more than he deserved. If there was any justice, he’d live out a very long life in a very small cell. Humiliated and broken.”
I glanced over at Holland, who watched us from the passenger seat. “If you feel that way, why even give him a choice?”
“Because,” he said, reaching out one last time to stroke my cheek. “Because in his entire despicable life, he did one thing right. He made you.”
With that, he pulled my face to his chest, and I felt his lips brush my hair. “Remember me, Mila,” he whispered. Before he stepped back and let go.
I took one last look at his face before turning and climbing into the pilot’s seat. Holland leveled curses at me as the helicopter lifted off, his bitter voice drowned out by the countdown inside my head.
59 minutes, 16 seconds.
59 minutes, 15 seconds.
59 minutes, 14 seconds.
Most people have no idea how much time they have left before their lives are over. I knew I had less than an hour, and I wasn’t afraid.
Not because I couldn’t feel fear, but because after all was said and done, it was clear that my emotions—programmed or not—were what made me more than Holland had ever bargained for.
I wasn’t afraid because I was at the controls, steering the course, choosing to make the sacrifice that Nicole and Sarah had unwittingly made before me.
And because I would remember Lucas—remember us—during every last second of the helicopter’s rapid descent over the Potomac, right before the countdown expired.
He made sure of that. Lucas always found a way.
I’m with you, Mila.
Do you hear me?
You’re not alone.
And I swear, this isn’t goodb----------
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Well, there you have it! The final chapter in the MILA trilogy. As you might expect, I have many people to thank for making the three books in the MILA-verse possible.
First of all—the series would not exist without the wonderful team at HarperCollins. A very special thanks to my editors, Claudia Gabel and Melissa Miller, who stuck by me for the long haul. Also, thank you to Katherine Tegen, Kate Jackson, and Suzanne Murphy. Thanks to subrights wiz Jean McGinley for helping to bring Mila to readers in so many different countries. Thank you to Erin Fitzsimmons, Amy Ryan, and Barbara Fitzsimmons for the stunning covers and beautiful design, and thanks to marketing wonders Lauren Flower, Alana Whitman, and Carmen Alvarez. No book would be polished without copyediting and production, so thanks to Bethany Reis and Kara Levy for fixing all the little things that authors forget. Finally, thank you to my publicist, Rosanne Romanello, and anyone else who I might not have named but who helped bring this series to fruition in some small way, shape, or form.
A big hug and thank-you to my lovely agent, Taylor Martindale, for always being there, and to the Full Circle and Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agencies.
To my writer friends—MUAH. Again, I cannot commend the YA community enough for all the understanding, camaraderie, and support. Without you, I would not be the person I am today. Thank you for opening my eyes to so many different experiences and perspectives. A special MUAH to the amazing ladies of YA Highway and my LBs. I love my little writer bat caves. Thanks also to the Luckies and Binders, for sharing stories and offering support. To Sarah, Rachael, and Jenn, for reading chapters and assuring me I hadn’t forgotten how to write.
Thank you to my nonwriter friends, for dragging me out of the writer cave once in a while.
A shout-out to my family, both immediate and extended, for their bottomless support, and especially my husband, Scott, who makes this all possible, and Connor and Finley, just because. Mom, thank you again for making me a reader. I miss you.
To all the bloggers out there—you rock. Thanks for donating your time and spreading the word. A special thanks to local blogger extraordinaire Stacee, whose enthusiasm and support for authors never ceases to amaze.
And last but not least, huge, tearful thanks to all of you readers who have faithfully followed Mila on her many adventures. During these past few years, I’ve discovered that life really is all about the journey. I’m so thrilled that I got to share part of my journey with you. Throughout the course of these books, Mila and I both learned the hard way that challenges are often opportunities for growth in disguise, and that ultimately your opinion of yourself is the one that matters most. If I could leave you with a few thoughts, it would be these: don’t let anyone take away your right to define yourself. And please, keep challenging yourselves, keep growing, and know that yes, you are indeed worth it.
Always.