Page 46

46

ELLA

“Something is really wrong, Kip. I can feel it.” I paced back and forth in the small office, hoping that Sebastian would come through the door at any second.

“He’s okay, Ella. I’m not sure what’s going on but think about who this man is. He can deal with anything.” Kip rolled his shoulders back, and I assumed it was an attempt to relieve some of his tension.

“You say that, but I can tell you’re worried too. Maybe, maybe he just left.” I swallowed over those words. “He’s been having such a hard time with Death being a part of him, and he doesn’t understand our relationship …” I blinked, trying to keep the tears at bay. “Would he do that, Kip? Would he leave me and the kids?”

Kip placed his hands on my shoulders. “Look at me, El. Even if Sebastian left, Death didn’t. He’ll be back, then we will both beat his ass for being stupid.”

I couldn’t help but smile through my tears. “I wish he could understand how much I love both sides of him, but Sebastian is so damn hard headed sometimes.”

Kip grinned. “You don’t say.”

I patted one of his hands before he dropped them. “So you suspect that he just took off to think?”

“Probably, but when he’s back, we’ll tell him that wasn’t cool shit to do. You can decide his punishment.” His chuckle warmed me and eased my anxiety.

“Thank you for being here with me, and always supporting Sebastian and Death. You’re an amazing friend, and I’m grateful to have you in my life.”

Kip placed his palm over his heart. “It’s a good thing you’re married to a guy with a dark side …” He leaned forward, staring at me. “Because if you knew who I really was, you’d take all that back.”

Startled by his revelation, I stepped away. I licked my lips before I said, “I doubt it’s any worse than Death’s secrets. Maybe you just need someone in your life to help you heal about whatever it is you’re punishing yourself over.”

Kip blinked at me several times and then turned away and stared out the window. It seemed as though I’d triggered something inside of him. I cleared my throat, giving him a moment. “While we’re waiting for my husband, what should we do with Xavier?”

He shoved his hand through his hair before he faced me. “If we kill him, Sebastian is going to be pissed. If we don’t, then Death will be pissed. I say we let Xavier go and tell him to run, and if he makes it out of the woods, he gets to live.”

My shoulders shook with my laugh. “That’s not funny, but it really is. He can’t even get up, much less run with his knees.” Any time I had a soft spot for Xavier, I was bombarded by horrible memories of being in the glass cage with spiders everywhere. I hated that man, and I hoped he burned in hell … alive. “Well, he’s their brother, so I’m not sure if that changes the game or not. Plus, he’ll never walk again, but I don’t think it’s enough punishment for what he did to me.”

“Yup, his knees are fucked for life. It’s not as though he were living a normal existence anyway.” Kip shrugged. “Seriously, whatever you want to do is fine with me.”

“Death said I could kill him.” I arched a brow at my friend and rubbed my hands together. My face lit up with an ornery smile.

“But?”

I tilted my head and groaned. “I’m not sure I can do it. Jonathan was different for some stupid reason. I’ll have to decide soon, though. What I do know is that he has too much information on us. He can’t be released back into the wild.” I giggled.

The room grew quiet, and I blew out a sigh. “I hate waiting to see what might play out.”

“It sucks, but I’ve gotten good at it with the Society and taking care of Death.”

I sat on the edge of the rickety desk and folded my arms over my chest. “I’m going to check in with Cami and the kids.”

“I’ll touch base with Ryan to see if he’s heard from Bass while you’re talking to her.” Kip gave me a small wave and then he left the room.

I grabbed my burner phone from my back pocket and tapped the screen. Cami’s cell rang a few times before she picked up.

“Hello?” Her voice sounded strained.

“It’s just me.”

“Oh, good. I wasn’t sure since it’s an unknown number.”

“How are the kids?” A smile eased across my face as I heard Verity’s screech of excitement in the background.

“They miss their mom and dad, but they’re good. Dope is playing with them now. I know this might sound nuts, but Dope would make an excellent father.”

My eyes popped open at her remark. “I’ve not thought about it before, but you're right. Until then, he has the twins to keep him occupied. How are you two getting along?”

“Well, the time with him has been fun. He’s a smart fucking guy, Ella. Like off the charts smart.”

“I know. I hope he finds someone special. He deserves to be happy. He’s spent most of his life taking care of Sebastian and keeping him safe.”

Cami grew quiet for a minute. “I bet that’s been really difficult on him.” Her voice was full of compassion and maybe a hint of something else.

“It is, but he’s loyal, which is hard to find in a friend. I’m lucky I have you.” My heart skipped a beat, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind about turning all of us into the cops and FBI.

“I think this time with Dope has helped me understand why you all love and take care of Death so much. We’ve talked a lot about their history, how Sebastian witnessed his parents being murdered, and Dope found him in the corner covered in blood, and when Death started to appear and talk to them. I’m not sure these guys could ever be separated, and I’ve realized that their connection to each other is beyond what most people could experience in a lifetime,” Cami said, her tone laced with sadness.

“You miss Ryan, don’t you?”

“Fuck … yeah, I miss him a lot. It’s like I can forgive the fact that you lied to me to protect your family, and if I get real with myself, I would have done the same, bitch.”

I snorted with her confession. “It’s hard putting yourself in someone else’s place and trying to think differently about a situation. I guess I learned that skill while working at the attorney’s office. Nothing is black and white. Shit, it’s mostly grey.”

“Well said. I’m glad you left me with Dope. It’s been an eye-opening experience, and I understand the circumstances much better.”

“Does that mean you can forgive Ryan?”

Silence filled the line, and my shoulders sagged. I understood my best friend well enough to know the answer before she even said it out loud.

“We were seriously talking about our future. If I’d married him and not known his secret, it could have put me in danger. You knew before you married Sebastian. You had a choice, ya know? Ryan took that from me, and I’m not sure if I can forgive him for it.”

My heart sank for both of them. They were perfect for each other. “Give it some time. If you really love him, then maybe you guys can at least talk. It’s a lot, Cami. A part of me doesn’t want you with someone that’s chin deep in this life, but he’s not going to leave Death to fend for himself. They’re family, and nothing will come between that. However, you know the secrets now, and you’re involved. I can tell you from experience that when you can speak openly, the relationship gets stronger. Look at us.”

Cami snorted. “It took you getting kidnapped for me to learn the truth.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s because I love you and wanted to keep you safe.”

“How are you doing? Like really doing? So much has been going on, but no one has forgotten what you lived through. I’ve just not had time with you to grab our favorite ice cream and crawl in bed for a talk and cry day. I’m sorry. I should have done that as soon as you came home instead of falling apart on you about Death. I was a shitty friend, and I’m really sorry. I love you, and I need to know how you’re doing.”

My eyes misted over with her apology and concern. I swallowed over the lump in my throat.

“No matter where I am, I don’t feel safe unless I’m at the penthouse. Since it’s such a high-end building, the security is top-notch and no one can even reach the elevator without first getting past the doorman, then the security at the entrance, and getting past the desk is difficult. Not to mention you have to have a keycard to access the elevator. We’re tucked away, and I’m with the guys, but I hate to close my eyes at night, even with Sebastian next to me. The nightmares are intense.”

“Do you think it will help if Death … uh … disposes of the man that held you captive?”

I hesitated, wondering if I should tell her we had Xavier. If he died, then Cami would be an accomplice, and I didn’t want to add to her growing list of criminal activity. “Maybe. I guess if it happens, I’ll see how I feel then.”

“I’m always here, even in the middle of the night. I will be glad when you come back, though.”

“Me too.” My mind raced with anticipation for Sebastian’s return, but a sense of unease gnawed at my gut. A nervous energy pulsed through me, making it impossible to calm the churning in my stomach. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong.