“I don’t get it…” Colson mumbles, brows knitted.
“Dude…” I groan, rubbing my eyes. “Whatis yourdeal??”
“I’m sorry!” Ren drapes himself over the marble island, covering his head with his arms. “I told you I was nervous…”
“Wait, what do you mean you’releaving?” Tauren grunts.
He’s using thedisappointed Daddytone that’s usually for them, not us. It’s making me nauseous.
“What my psychotic fiancé wastryingto convey, with zero warm-up, is…” My words trail into a gulp, but I push past the discomfort and spit it out. “We have to go back… To New York.” They’re straight upgawkingat us. “To the island.”
“Why, though?” Cyrus squeaks. “Isn’t it dangerous?”
“Yea, that doesn’t sound like a good idea at all,” Tauren grumbles. “You told us you nearly died trying to get out of there. Now you’re just gonna turn around and go right back?? For what possible reason…?”
Ren lifts his face, peeking at me. I shift in place.
“Their friends,” Colson says before I can get to it. My eyes spring to his. “Right? Your friends are there… and you’re worried about them?”
“They’re ourfamily,” Ren breathes. “And they’re in trouble.”
The room is quiet, and I feel like a total bitch ass for ruining the mood like this.
“Meaning if you go back there… you’ll be in trouble too?” Tauren seems to be piecing it all together.He’s smart like that.
Ren and I both nod.
“Maybe,” I sigh. “But it’s worth it. Honestly, any bit of danger we face getting there is worth it to make sure they’re safe. And… help them. If they need it.”
It’s a strong possibility they’ll need it, based on what Trevel Fenwick said to me on the phone…
“Things aren’t going well on this island, Luthor… Not for your people. The storm only made things worse… The Ivory has Velle on the ropes…”
I have nothing but faith in John Chevelle. Those guards are not to be fucked with, we know this. But Manuel Blanco hasthe cartelon his side. He has endless resources and experience…
Not to mention he’s an unhinged fucking maniac.
And that’s not to say I think me and Ren showing up will somehow save the day. Sure, he’s scrappy as hell and likes setting things on fire, but I’m less than useless in a physical altercation.
That said, we do have advantages no one else knows about… Like my computer, for one. Under the right circumstances, I could do damage with that thing.
Depending on the situation, of course. The whole place could be rubble at this point, we have no clue.
“It would be a different story if we could get in touch with someone over there, but we can’t,” I tell them. “They’ve been radio silent for too long. Something’s wrong, I can feel it…”
“Yea, not to mention the shit-talking Snape Jr. did to you on the phone the other day,” Ren mutters.
“Who?” Tauren laughs.
“Hang on, you talked to someone?” Cyrus chokes. “From the prison??”
“I was trying to get ahold of Joy for the millionth time,” I explain. “And her phone finally rang. Trevel answered it… That British dude.”
“The one who’s dating your friend?” Colson’s brows lift. Truth be told, he looks intrigued as hell.
All three of them are fascinated by the whole premise of Alabaster Isle and what we went through there.Makes sense… It is a riveting fucking story.
We’ve told them everything—almosteverything—knowing with full certainty they’d never say a word to anybody. Mainly because they’re trustworthy dudes. But also, it would make themseem insane, and they don’t talk to anyone anyway, so…Who are they gonna tell?
