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“Because Trevor and Castor are little better than animals and would kill each other for sport. You’re the only one I trust, Al.”

Alastair cast an uneasy glance at the cell.

“Dethridge.” There was deep meaning in the two syllables he uttered.

“It’s okay, Mr. Thorne,” Trev said, unable to see another person suffer on his behalf. “Conjure a suit and hand it through the hatch to your right. I can get myself ready.”

Coolsapphire eyes assessed him, summing him up in a single sweep from head to toe. In a flash of white light, a cream-colored two-piece suit with a white button-down shirt appeared in Alastair’s outstretched arms. He bent it double to hand it through the opening.

“What size shoes, son?”

“Twelve and a half.”

Next, Alastair conjured tan leather shoes, dark brown socks, and a pocket square the exact color of Soleil’s eyes when they were glowing with happiness.

For an entire moment, with the arrival of the men, Trev forgot she was gone. The memories all flooded back with a single hammer-like blow to his heart.

“These should complete the look nicely.” Alastair set them on the dropdown tray in the center of the hatch, oblivious to Trevor’s immediate pain.

He wanted to demand the other man change the color, but the words remained locked behind a tight lump in his throat. If Trev choked on them, it was nothing more than Karma.

Alastair’s eyes were twinkling when Trevor’s gaze met his. “Problem?”

Still unable to speak, Trev frowned and shook his head.

“Good. I’ll turn around and give you privacy to change.”

* * *

Hall Bwas packedwhen Trevor and his entourage entered. After a quick sweeping glance at the Authority members’ table, he let his gaze travel over the assembled Lookie-loos. Once again, Damian’s Sentinels lined the back wall, and they all nodded or smiled at him with varying degrees of encouragement.

Why?

He didn’t receive an answer, not that he expected one. Access to their unified linkwas brokenwhenhis ring had been removedand turned over to Damian after the farce of a first trial.

Brooke Ellis stood at attention by the fence, and her eagle eyes missed nothing as more observers filed into the room. Finally, the main doors swung shut, and she relaxed her guard. And as the final person found their seat,Trevor’s last hope ofSoleil’ssurvival was destroyed. Regardless of her feelings about him or his attack, she’d be present if she was alive. Her sense of right and wrong would demand it.

With dead eyes, he faced forward, uncaring of today’s outcome.

From his peripheral, he was aware of Damian’s approach.

“I can’t believe you’re still willing to support me in all this.” Trev stared straight ahead. “But thank you.”

“You’re one of my team, Blane. I don’t abandon friends.”

“How can you consider me anything but an enemy after… after…” The building burn from his tears forced him to blink them away.

“Soleil is alive and well, and I should’ve led withthat information when I arrived at your cell. I apologize for my oversight.”

Trev sighed under the weight of his relief and rested his forehead on his folded arms. “Thank you,” he said feelingly.Apparentlyhe’d been wrong and had scared her to the extent of avoidance. That information didn't ease his suffering. After the long minute it took to compose himself, he straightened. “Will you give her a message for me?”

“You can give it to her yourself after this.”

“I doubt she wants to hear from me.”

Damian viewed him through twinkling eyes. “Her sisters practically had to sit on her to keep her away today, Trevor.”

Hope blossomed in Trev's chest. “But why… Oh. Right.”