Page 313 of Shadowman

I get supportive nods from all around as I make my way to the doors. Dash chirps, “You got this, B!”

Ren squeezes my shoulder, and Luthor hums, “Head in the game, bro.”

All this encouragement is giving me a migraine.

Joy shoots me a wink, then opens just one of the double doors for me. The moment I’m in through, she slams it behind me and I startle, inhaling and exhaling to calm my racing pulse.

“Okay, Trev…” I call out tentatively, wandering the perimeter of the armory, face flinging back and forth for any potential threat. We haven’t heard The Ivory’s men this close yet, but you never know.Technically, I’m walking towards one right now…“You got what you want. I’m out here… Let’s talk.”

I make it to the east side of the armory, where Trevel had been hiding. But I don’t see him.

“Trev…?” I peer between the trees, walking slowly. “Violet—”

In a flash, I’m being shoved up against the stone wall and pinned by a taut and limber frame. Gazing up at the severely beautiful face of Trevel Fenwick, I sigh out the word, “Eyes.”

“Hi, sweet fury.” Deep purple shines so many emotions down at me; it’s beyond overwhelming.

His pink lips are sloped into a crooked smirk, marred by a cut on the bottom one, which I put there. There’s bruising around is eye, his cheek is swollen, and a few smears of dried blood stillmark his face. I wish it made him look worse, but of course it doesn’t. He’s even hotter all battered up by my fists.

Fuck me, this is gonna be unbearable.

“So… what do you… h-have to say?” I stammer, fighting the shake in my voice from how close we are and how good he smells, and how fucking angry and hurt I still am.

His eyes are still twinkling, but that overzealous grin melts into a sorrowful pout. “I hate myself.”

My brows jump.Okay… didn’t expect that.

He’s still caging me in, palms pressed flat on either side of my shoulders, but his face isn’t reflecting the confidence of our position. He looks broken.

“Honestly, Byron, I had to see you,” he breathes out. “To make sure you know that I never meant to hurt you, and I’llneverforgive myself for the way I have. I needed to speak these things to you, and… see your face one last time.” He swallows visibly as my stomach clenches.

“Last time…?” I gust and blink. “Why… onelast time?”

He frowns, like he’s confused by my question. “Because… it’s over. Isn’t it? I mean, surely you never want to see me again, and I don’t blame you. But I just couldn’t let this…endwithout being able to look at you once more.” His eyes scan over my face, and he lifts his fingers to brush my jawline. “Fucking hell, you’re so pretty, baby.” Heat is rushing up my neck as his eyes close and he clears his throat. “Sorry. I don’t expect you to believe me, or to care, but I wanted to tell you face-to-face that I’m so sorry it’s physicallyexcruciating. For everything I did, Byron… For everything I kept from you, and for being the worst, most selfish, dysfunctional, horrible person in the world.”

I blink, swallowing a lump of confusion. “Okay, that’s hyperbolic, even for you.”

Pouting deeper, he huffs and drops his forehead to mine. “Stop making me love you…”

My chest constricts so hard I grunt.

“I’m trying to let youleave, because I suck, Byron. I’m a mess, and you’re way too good for me. Just know that the last few months with you have been the best of my entire life. And that’s not hyperbole, baby. It’s thetruth. You brought light into my pitch-black existence, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.”

“Hang on.” I push him back so that our eyes can meet. “Did you just say…” My voice cuts out. I physically can’t speak it. I’m petrified.

“That I love you?” Trevel hums. I nod nervously, and he sighs, “Yea. I do. I’m so in love with you, Byron… Far more than I’m comfortable with, and I’m sorry for that too…”

My brow furrows. “Why?”

He blinks at me. “Because we can’t be together.”

“We can’t?”I’m so confused.

“Well… I mean…” He starts fidgeting. “Youhateme… Because I hurt you.Right…?”

I’m frozen. There was so much on my mind before, so many things confirming what he’s saying now. But as soon as he said those other words, it all just… vanished.

“Are you pulling a Bugs Bunny on me right now?” I grumble.