Solo’s eyes mist over, but he sniffs and glances at Alex and Jayce. The former is crying now, and his tears are painting Jayce’s paling cheek.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner,” Solo says, then grabs one of Jayce’s hands before bowing his head. “Fucking hell, I wish I could kill Chase right now.”
“There’s unfortunately no chance of that happening, since he’s already very dead,” Eddie says, then steps closer to us. “And you guys need to get outta here.Now.”
“I’m not going to leave Jayce here,” I tell him.
“I’ll get the body to you as soon as I can.”
Body…
I’m on my feet so fast that it makes me momentarily dizzy, but I manage to get in Eddie’s face without falling on my ass.
“What the fuck did you just call him?” I grit at him.
He frowns, and his expression softens. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean it like that.” He sighs and touches my arm. “It’s a force of habit, man. Seriously, I’m sorry.”
My throat tightens, but I clear it and give him a curt nod. No use taking my frustration out on him. He’s only trying to help.
I step back, and see that Solo is attempting to pull Cignette away from Maverick. She’s trying to push him off, but he isn’t giving up.
“Just two more minutes,” she’s pleading with him. “Please let me look at him for two more minutes.” She starts crying, and even though I try, I can’t hold my own tears at bay. A few of them drip down to my scar, and to my jaw, and I let them.
How much can a broken human being take before they reach their limit? How much can they push, and push, and push, until they’re tired of it, of losing?
“Grow a fucking pair and come to terms with the fact that he’s gone, kid,” Solo says to Cignette. “Because he really is; Maverick is gone.”
She shoves at his chest – once, twice – and when he takes my switchblade from her before grabbing her wrists, she lets him pull her in for a hug.
“Be strong for him,” he encourages. “Because this isnothow he’d want you to behave – not for him, at least. And you and I both know that.”
She cries into his shirt, staining it with blood and tears. “He shouldn’t be gone,” she whispers, then shakes her head. “Hecan’tbe.”
“You live in a world where you can’t hope for things to always go as planned, kid. That’s your truth – one you gotta know by heart.” He holds her tighter, and I see how much he’s struggling to keep it together.
Watching them like this, I realize that Solo knew before I did that Cignette needed this; needed the reassurance, and the hug. It may not do wonders against what she’s lost, but it’ll help her see that she’s got people on her side who refuse to let her shatter. Solo’s tough love may seem too much for her to handle right now, but I’m sure Cignette will appreciate it in the days to come.
It’s a lesson for me, too, to be honest, as bitter as it may taste.
“Solo,” comes Eddie’s voice.
When Solo looks at him, he jerks his head towards the stranger. “Him and his team have work to do here. We should leave.”
“Who are you?” I ask the guy.
“This is Aarav,” Eddie answers for him. “He’s Roman Washington’s head of security.”
“Roman Washington?”
“He’s Dad’s opponent at the elections,” Cignette provides, having moved away from Solo.
“I’m sorry, did you just sayDad?” Solo says while staring at her, then goes, “Oh my fuckingGod.”
Cignette runs the back of her hand under her nose. “Yeah.”
Eddie looks like he’s done with us, and with everything, but he blinks and pushes his fingers into his hair before gesturing at Aarav.
“Um, so yeah. Roman and Chase are competing for the administrator’s seat at the elections, but now that Chase is dead, Roman is most likely to be named Riverside’s new Administrator.Unlesshe’s challenged by a member of Chase’s family,” he starts, then nods towards Cignette. “Solo was sure Chase was gonna die today, so him and I struck Roman a deal – one he couldn’t, even if he wanted to, refuse.”
