Page 318 of Shadowman

“Definitely scary, but in a secret boner kinda way,” Dash adds.

“Not now, Luscious.” Kemper covers Dash’s mouth with his hand.

“Cards on the table, that wasn’t the first time I’ve kicked his ass.” Byron grins. “It happens way more often than it probably should.”

“Show me a relationship on this island that isn’t at least a little unhinged.” I give them all a pointed look.

No onehas a word of argument about that.

“Yea… I get it now.” Byron sighs, specifically to Luthor and Ren. “Whether it’s toxic or not, you can’t fight chemistry.”

“I love when he has to admit he’s wrong,” Ren whispers to Luthor.

“I’m sorry for what I said to you on the phone, Luthor,” I address him sheepishly. “I was manic and truly despising myself… Quite literally the worst moment for you to call.” I pinch the back of my neck.

Luthor blinks at me, then at Byron, observing the hopefulness in his friend’s eyes. His lips twist. “It’s okay. If it weren’t for that ominous conversation, we wouldn’t have come back. So I’d say it worked out for the best.”

“Yea, thanks for luring us into extreme danger that we risked our lives to escape,” Ren mutters sarcastically. “Much appreciated.”

Luthor smacks him playfully.

I turn to my doctor and his fiancé, prepared to monologue to them next. But before I can even go there, Felix holds his hand up.

“Don’t worry about us. We’ve been through worse.” He grins at Lemuel, who kisses his tousled brown hair.

“The point is that I’m sorry to anyone who was run-through by Hurricane Trevel,” I murmur. “But the only person I need mercy from is my Shadowman.” My eyes linger on Byron’s shy smile before I peek at Lemuel and whisper, “I get it now.”

He grins, the first genuine smile I’ve ever gotten from the robotic doctor who’s helped me so much over the years.I wouldn’t be here without Lemuel Love, that’s for certain. But this sentence turned out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I cup Byron’s jaw in my hands while he holds my waist. “I love you, warrior. Thank you for fighting for me when I didn’t.”

And this time, he isn’t afraid. He kisses me, in front ofpeople. No holds barred.

“I love you, prison husband.” He beams, and I laugh into his mouth.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” Joy snorts.

“Really??” Rook scoffs. “I never doubted it for a second. This island’s number one export is codependent relationships.”

“Okay, listen.” Velle claps his hands together. “It tickles my balls that you two fuckin’ weirdos found each other. And I promise there’ll be plenty of time for us to rub our dicks together after we win this thing, but right now, we need to focus.”

Byron and I pull apart just enough to give him our attention.

“While you were outside, I got into the servers,” Luthor tells Byron.

His brows jump. “So… we have the prisoners?”

Velle nods. “Everyone’s locked and loaded. Peters is gathering up the troops, and they’ll be ready to back us up. Because you were right…” He steps closer to me, intimidating in his size and stature. “He’s coming for us. So I’m gonna need that bargaining chip.Now.”

I swallow hard and straighten.Playtime is over.“Yes, sir.”

“It better be a smoking fucking gun,” he rumbles, still eyeing me in a way that doesn’t exactly scream trust.

But it’s alright.I’m about to make him very happy.

I kiss Byron quickly, then jaunt toward the doors.

“Hang on…” He rushes after me. “If you’re going back out there, I’m coming with you.”