Shadowman (Alabaster Penitentiary Book 5), page 67
It’s funny to think I hated him so much for so long… We’re actually a lot alike. Okay, he’s much sweeter than me.
Anyway, for now, I’m busying myself by tending to Velle’s bike, which was in serious need of a tune-up, and fighting to keep my mind off of things I can’t change.
Like the fear of The Ivory closing in on us… And the betrayal of my almost boyfriend.
“Need any help?”
Speaking of my new ally…
Felix is standing beside the Harley, holding out a bottle of water for me. I accept it with a grateful twitch of my lips, twisting it open and taking a few large gulps.
“You know anything about motorcycles?” My brow cocks, and he bites his lip.
“I know that people other than me look really cool riding them,” he mumbles. Chuckling, I wipe my hands on a rag. “I take it you had one?”
“I had a Kawasaki Ninja,” I reply, and his face scrunches like he doesn’t know what that means. It makes me smirk. “A street bike. Different from a Harley Davidson, but the mechanics are similar enough.”
He nods, though he seems distracted, finger running along the chrome handlebars.
I stand up, putting us face to face. “Something on your mind?”
Felix swallows visibly, wariness in his gray eyes. He still seems reticent around me, as if he thinks I might try to hit him again if he says the wrong thing.
But then he murmurs, “I heard about what happened… with you and Trevel.” My gut wrenches like the bolts I was just tightening. “That he found out Luthor and Ren weren’t really dead and didn’t tell you…”
“Okay…” I grumble, unable to keep the bite out of my tone. “I’m kinda not trying to think about that right now, bud…”
He blinks at me. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay…”
“Listen, this isn’t a fucking reality show,” I snap. “There’s life-and-death shit going on all around us, which is a hell of a lot more important than some relationship drama, you know?”
Felix nods, parting his lips. But before he can offer a response, I bark, “I’m just saying… days of watching me grieve, knowing he could put an end to it. That’s what it comes down to. He stood there while me and Dash fell apart! And didn’t say a damn word! The dude must be a total psycho…” I pause to take a breath, because suddenly I’m fuming.
Without even realizing it, I’m pacing, and Felix is watching me.
“Okay, so he has issues… Cool. Welcome to Earth. Everyone has issues! Sure, his are… pretty diesel. I mean, he’s been through more shit that I can even comprehend…” My voice trails.
Felix blinks. “Did he explain w—”
“I don’t want to hear excuses,” I cut him off with a hiss. “I’m too pissed. He lied to my fucking face… Issues or not, that’s not cool. I bet he knew Ren was in the East too… Which is something I’d asked him about, point-blank, because he was being shady…” I rub my eyes. “It’s just… petty. This jealousy thing… I bet that’s what it is, too. Since day one, he’s been jealous of my relationship with Ren… Because he knew it was complicated.”
My mind is bristling with thoughts, stopping and lingering on the memories of how jealous I was over his crush on Dr. Love…
Like when we fucked in Felix’s bed… That whole thing started because I was jealous of him being jealous of Darcey.
Ew, why is this sounding so drama?! This is some Luthor and Ren shit!
I peek at Felix, a lot of my anger fading into confusion, guilt and gloom. Because I know Trevel’s not into Dr. Love like that anymore. And he knows I’m not still into Ren like that… Doesn’t he?
“Whatever. I just don’t want to be lied to, ya know? We were supposed to be… headed somewhere. I thought we were…” My voice dries up, and I swallow as Felix’s brow furrows. I clear my throat and shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. Because he’s too much, and clearly, I dodged a bullet. So, I’m fine, if that was your question, honestly, I can’t remember…”
Jesus. So much for not thinking about it.
“Hey…” Felix reaches out, like he might try to rub my shoulder or something for comfort, but I glare at him, and he pulls back. “I just… I understand where you’re coming from. When Lem and I first started fooling around, I didn’t know shit about him.”
My brow cocks.
“He was my doctor, and he was extremely aloof. I couldn’t get a read on him to save my life. He resisted it hard, and there was a major power shift in the beginning. It was pretty frustrating.”
Mulling over his words, I’m giving him my full attention.
“All I can say is, it’s not always about how it starts, or how it looks to the outside world. Where it ends up is what matters most. And how you feel about each other.” He tilts his head. “I saw some very obvious chemistry between you two. We both did. And when I saw him in the tombs—”
“You saw him?” My eyes widen.
He nods. “After Lem got out, I stayed back to let Trevel know what was going on and see if you guys needed help. I met up with him in the tombs… and he said he wanted to be with you. He said that was all he cares about. Word for word.”
I feel like I’m falling apart inside, while frantically fighting to stay together. I’m just so sick of being vulnerable when my heart keeps getting stomped.
“Maybe it’s not my place to get involved…” Felix says softly. “I just wanted to tell you what he said. He seemed sincere…”
“Yea, well… He’s a liar,” I grumble. “A pretty damn convincing one…”
My eyes fling to Ren like an instinct.
Felix catches on and whispers, “You know what broken looks like, Byron. So you know it’s not always that simple. Sometimes they’re hurting so bad, they end up hurting the ones they love by mistake.”
There’s a significant pang of remorse in my chest. I hate it. I hate that he fucked me over, and I feel bad…
But I think Felix is right. After everything Trevel’s been through in his life, he’s probably entitled to be a little fucked up—okay, a lot fucked up—and make more than a few mistakes.
I mean, shit. He grew up on the streets as an underage sex worker. The years when you’re supposed to be learning, developing and figuring yourself out, he was being assaulted, sent to juvie and institutions. He’s seen so much pain…
And I punched him in the face a bunch of times.
Fuck me… This is awful.
I don’t want to let him off the hook…. I’m not sure I can, despite how deeply I care for him. Because I do, clearly. I can’t help it. The feelings are there, and they’re strong as fuck, no matter how stupid they make me feel.
But the hard truth is that having any kind of relationship with Trevel Fenwick would require a fuckload of patience and understanding that I’m not sure I’m capable of giving.
My black-and-white emotions would need to discover gray for him.
I’m staring helplessly at Felix when Ren and Dash come traipsing over, holding out rifles for us to take.
“All good?” Ren asks, possibly noting the dismal look on my face.
I push past it and nod, taking the AR-15 he’s handing me.
Dash gives an AK-47 to a visibly hesitant Felix. “You ever shot one before?”
“I understand the premise,” he grumbles, and Dash chuckles. “I’ll probably just stick with my hunting knife.”
“No arguments here,” Rook looks up from what he’s doing to smirk.
A phone rings, and we all freeze. Mostly us prisoners, because we never hear that sound anymore.
Joy pulls a cellphone out of her pocket, checking the screen before answering quickly. “Hi! It’s so good to hear from you…” She paces over to Rook, Velle and Kemper following closely. “Yea, we’re alright. Exhausted and stressed, but hey… Who isn’t, right?”
She chuckles while the rest of us exchange puzzled looks.
“He’s right here. Hang on, I’m gonna put you on speaker.” Joy taps the screen, holding the phone out in front of her, specifically aiming it toward Rook. “Alright, the gang’s all here, Mr. Samuels!”
“Thank you, darling,” the deep voice of an older man comes over the speakerphone. “And please, I’ve told you, call me Keith.”
Joy chuckles, and Velle smirks.
“Hey, Dad.” Rook sighs, an immediate calm settling over his features and a pretty adorable grin tugging at his lips. “How are you and Mom? And Kira??”
Rook’s dad… How cute.
“We’re fine, don’t worry about us,” Mr. Samuels says, sounding every bit like the stern yet polite and supportive Midwestern father we all assumed Rook was raised by. “Your mother just wants to know if you’re drinking enough water. That goes for Joy and John, too. And whoever else is there.”
Kemper is chuckling as my eyes glide to the guys. Felix and Dash are grinning. Ren pouts and whispers, “Aww! He sounds so North Dakota!”
“Shh. Drink your water.” Luthor smirks at him.
“You got it, Dad.” Rook’s excitement fades into the serious pretty fast. “So… what’s the word?”
Mr. Samuels rumbles, “There’s been a new… development.”
It’s clear that most of them know what this conversation is about. Pretty much everyone is zoned in on the call, except me, Luthor, and Ren.
“Is it about the girl?” Velle barks, wedging up close to Rook, huddling by the phone as if this is very important to him. Whatever it is…
At that, realization dawns visibly on Ren. His eyes widen, and he steps over to Rook, like he’s also invested in what his dad is saying.
What’s going on?? I’m lost.
“Yea,” Mr. Samuels sighs. “She’s dead.”
Velle’s face falls, harder than the rest of theirs, though they’re all clearly shocked by this news.
“What girl??” I whisper to Dash, who shushes me.
“Are you sure?” Velle frowns at the phone, forehead lined in confusion. He peeks at Ren.
“For how long?” Rook asks, equally puzzled.
“My guys found the death certificate and some hospital files,” his dad explains. “Minimal info, but according to that, she died in Vegas a few years back of drug-related complications.”
Velle runs his hands through his hair, while Rook and Joy watch him. “Well, there goes that theory,” he mutters.
Ren is staring off into space.
“Whoever was in there disappeared during the storm, anyway,” Joy murmurs to Kemper. “We haven’t been able to locate anyone…”
“Unless she’s in the mansion,” Dr. Love jumps in, and they all glance at him.
Okay, who the hell are they talking about?? And since when is there another “she” anywhere on this island??
“Doesn’t matter now,” Velle snaps, clearly frustrated. “If it wasn’t Alvarez, then who the hell was it??”
“There’s more,” Rook’s dad reclaims their attention. “Turns out, she has a twin brother.”
“A twin… brother?” Rook’s brow furrows.
Velle looks even more confused now.
“Yea,” Mr. Samuels says as Jasper’s walkie-talkie starts going off and he staggers off to answer it. “We’re still digging, but I’ll update you as soon as we get more.”
“Okay, thanks, Dad,” Rook sighs. Velle is pacing, rubbing his eyes while Jasper stalks back over, signaling that he needs them. “We have to run right now.”
“Stay safe, Harley.” His father’s voice is laced with concern, and it aches my chest to hear.
What would it be like to have parents who actually gave a crap about my well-being?
“I will,” Rook answers. “I love you, Dad. Tell Mom and Kira I love them too.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Samuels,” Velle hums.
“What did I say?” he teases, and Velle chuckles. “Keith.”
“I dunno if I can do that.” Velle grins.
“You better, or I’ll force you to call me Dad.” The smile is audible in Keith’s voice.
Rook laughs, and I think Velle is actually blushing.
Breathing out hard, my head is circling that baffling phone call. Ren is still frowning at nothing as I grab his arm. “What the hell was that about?”
It takes him a moment, but eventually he murmurs, “I got intel from Carson…”
My forehead lines. “From the control room?”
He nods. “The Ivory was holding a woman in the prison, keeping it on the hush-hush. But that’s pretty much the extent of my knowledge on it…”
“So then what’s all this about a dead girl and her twin brother…?” My words trail as something sticks in my mind.
Trevel’s girlfriend… Alice. She had a twin brother. Andres.
He said they were Colombian…
Andres killed Alice. Trevel killed Andres.
And The Ivory brought Trevel here because he thought he’d killed… someone else.
“Velle found out about someone from The Ivory’s past and thought maybe that was her,” Felix tells me. “But I guess not if she’s dead.”
I can’t help how I’m just staring blankly. This is a lot of information, and I’m not really sure what any of it means, or how it fits into our situation.
But I don’t have time to think about it. Because there’s commotion happening around Velle.
“Talk to me, Bren,” Velle asks into the walkie. “What do you see?”
“An SUV,” Brenner’s voice comes in choppy. “On the east. It’s headed our way.
With one nod from Velle, Rook, and Joy’s rifles are immediately in hand, and they move to guard the doors. Everyone else rushes around, taking weapons and getting into position. My heart rate jacks in an instant, the adrenaline from before returning swiftly.
Oh God, here we go…
“Just one?” Velle keeps talking to Brenner, our lookout on the prison roof.
“Looks that way,” he replies. “They’re kinda… driving erratically. Oh, shit!”
“What?!” Velle barks, dashing to the back.
“They’re off the road!” Brenner shouts. “Are they drunk?! Jesus… They’re gonna hit a damn tree!”
Rifle slung over my shoulder, I decide to cover Velle at the back lookout point, which is really just a hole in the wall the size of a small window. Velle is aiming his scope through it to check the direction this drunk driver, or whoever the hell, might be coming.
“What the hell…” Dash grunts from behind me.
“You got eyes on ’em?” Brenner asks. “They disappeared into the trees.”
“I can’t see shit,” Velle growls.
“They’ve gotta be on foot,” Brenner says. “Linetti, you see anything?”
Linetti’s voice chimes in over the walkie. “I think I can make someone out, but I don’t have a clean shot…”
“Who is it??” Velle hisses.
“I dunno… but I think they’re coming your way.”
There are a few uneasy moments of suspense while we all wait for a potential attack. The whole place is silent, with nothing but breathing to be heard as we listen for any impending sounds of an ambush. Eventually, light footsteps come through the woods.
Velle holds up his index finger, signaling that it’s just one person. I suck in a breath, attempting to calm myself down and focus. We’re all ready, but the fear is palpable.
What if it’s a distraction? Or a suicide bomber or something… You never know.
The footsteps approach slowly, until they’re within a few feet of the armory walls. And then they stop.
“Come on, prick…” Velle grouses under his breath. “Fuck around and find out.”
“Officer Chevelle?” a voice calls.
My stomach drops.
“Holy shit…” Dash says the words I can’t get out.
“Jesus Christ… Fenwick??” Velle barks.
“Um, yes, uh-huh,” Trevel stammers. “It’s me.”
“You got a death wish or something?!” Velle snaps.
“I’d prefer not to answer that right now,” he replies with his usual brand of secret snark, carefully disguised by the accent.
Just hearing his voice and knowing he’s out there is swarming me with too many things.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Joy hisses to us.
Everyone stares at me. My mouth is hanging open, eyes wide as I simply shrug. “How the hell would I know??”
Velle’s glare is on me for a couple of extra studious seconds before he grumbles, “Son of a bitch,” then turns back to his scope. “If he sent you, you’re about to die slow. Was it worth it?”
“That’s a lovely sentiment,” Trevel says. “But no, he didn’t send me. Though I imagine he’ll be on his way when he realizes what I took…”
Velle’s gaze, pressed up to his scope, narrows. “Oh yea? And what’s that?”
“I’ve brought you something, Officer,” Trevel rumbles. “Something that… belongs to him. Something that will undoubtedly help you win.”
“Spill it,” Velle growls. “Or I’ll put a bullet in your favorite ass cheek.”
“Oh, please don’t shoot Byron,” he whines.
Dash snorts, and my jaw clenches.
Enough.
I shove Velle aside to seethe through the hole. “What the fuck do you want, Trevel??”
He goes quiet for a moment. I peer out into the forest, but I can’t see him. “I… I need to talk to you.”
“So talk,” I grunt.
He’s quiet again. “Can I… Can I see you?”
“Come on out,” I goad, nervous uncertainty gripping my chest when I see Velle’s finger ghosting over the trigger.
“Is… Officer Chevelle going to shoot me?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, tell him not to.”
“I don’t think I can do that,” I bite out of frustration.
He sighs audibly. “Look, I promise you, I’m not here for any other reason than to see you and explain myself, and maybe apologize a few thousand times… and then deliver your bargaining chip. I suppose you can kill me if you’d like, but can it wait until after we talk?”
