Page 316 of Shadowman

The passive-aggressive sound forces my mouth away from Byron’s, and I peer at the hole in the stone wall. My brow raises at the surly glare of Officer Chevelle, his wicked smirk dampening the grouchiness just a tad.

“Very sweet,” he growls. “But could you please come in here? We have business to attend to.”

Eyes falling to Byron, I find him flushed and fluttering, and it’s almost painful, the thought of pulling away from him like this. After he just told me that he’sin love with me…

We should be shagging until our bodies shut down, not sobering up to go talkwar.

But I know Officer Chevelle is right. The last thing I want is for anything to jeopardize the highly dangerous work I did to get this peace offering. So I take just one more moment to touch Byron’s throat and gaze into his deep eyes while the mound beneath my fingers bobs and his fists slowly release my shirt he’s been gripping.

“Fuck, Leo,” he sighs. “You’re distracting as shit, you know that?”

I grin, quite pleased with that remark. “Thank you, Raph. You’re pretty bloody hypnotizing yourself.” I kiss his cheek.

“Okay.” Byron shakes his arms out. “Let’s go. Jesus, this is gonna be brutal…”

My grin flips into a frown as I read the apprehension on his face.

Ah, right…

I peek back up at the tiny window hole in the stone building. There are at least three of his friends gawking back at me, who scatter the moment our eyes meet.

I heard what they were saying when Byron was considering whether to come out here and speak to me—the walls are surprisingly thin for being made of rock.These people don’t trust me. It’s not exactly news, but before, I didn’t care.Now, I’d like them to accept me… Because of Byron.

Helovesme, and I love him. I have no intention of letting him go.

He already said he wants to be with me… No takebacks.

“Let’s go, my furious love.” I grab his hand, giving him confidence in my gaze.

I can be rather charming when I set my mind to it. The situation in the prison was a complex one. Things were quite tense, and much of my behavior was being guided by my stubborn disdain for Felix and Lemuel, which I now see was nothing more than a coping mechanism.

But being with Byron, building our relationship—and itwasone from the start, regardless of how hard he fought against it—showed me that therevengehad been highly romanticized in my mind. It was thrilling, and kinky at times… But I didn’tneedit.

I only needed him.

Hopefully, his friends can see what Lemuel and Felix saw… That despite not having made the best first impression, I’m not actually a sneaky, traitorous plonker, and I love their friend, brighter than all the stars in all the galaxies.

If that doesn’t work, at least I have the key to the Warden’s surrender to offer them.

Byron and I stalk swiftly around the building, hand-in-hand, headed for the entrance. One way in, one way out.Maybe not the best place to be when a swarm of bloodthirsty animals are out to get you…

“Now you’re starting to sound like me, mate…”The voice echoes from within the trees.“ArealLeo should probably be a bit less cynical.”

Glancing out to look for him, I think I catch a glimpse of his eyes—one of them mangled—his grubby gray fur and that smirk…

But he’s not actually there. The visions of him have been slowly fading off, back into my mind where he belongs. And I can’t tell if I’m relieved, or mourning another loss.

“Hey.” Byron’s voice catches me before we reach the doors. I blink down at him, and he cocks his head. “You good?”

I nod reticently, biting my lip as his eyes shift.

“You know you can tell me… if you’re seeing him. I think it’s kinda cool.”

My lips sweep into a smile that feels far too good for real life. Leaning down, I grasp his jaw and rumble over his lips, “You would. You’re a twisted little monster yourself, aren’t you, baby?”

He smirks and hums, swiping my mouth with his tongue. “I can’t wait for you to dive deeper into my depravity, violet eyes.”

I’m growling, all too eager to say sod it all and hump him up against a tree. But the door to the shack whips open, the familiar female rasp of Joy Jameson hollering, “Come on, sluts! Get in here before you get us all pinched!”