Page 35 of Rising from the Ashes

“Informant? You mean an innocent bystander that got caught in our fathers’ crosshairs that you obsessed over for thirteen years, was haunted by the ghost of her, and tried to avenge people’s lives in her name?”

Ignoring me, he raises his voice. “You should have already taken down The Society and Calista. Enzo was the last player to be left standing.”

“Everly and her organization aren’t the enemy here, Drake. Nor is Cal.”

“Cal? You’ve given her a nickname? Oh fuck man, you’re too far gone,” he scoffs.

Growing impatient, I run my hands through my hair, “Look, I know we set our mission to rid the city of the crime lords, but this city is on fire, and in hindsight, that’s what Everly’s ghosts are doing. They have politicians, cops, and medics in their pockets.”

Pacing back and forth, I can feel Drake’s aggravation, “So you’re okay with them ruling the city?”

“If it means keeping it out of the hands of Enzo Silvestri and Allister Craye, yes. The Society are not the ones shuffling in drugs or women against their will, Drake.”

“Look man, let our mission go. Go home to CiCi and be a family man. Stop this fucking witch hunt. Your wife and child need you at home.”

Turning to face me, I can see the frustration in his face. He doesn’t want to let go of the crusade that has been his life, his identity for the last fourteen years. Beyond the frustration, I can see how tired he is becoming.

“What about you? You’re a ghost now?”

“I’m too far gone to have a family, Drake. I lost that right when I learned of who my real father was. So, yeah. I’ll work under Everly, keeping the city safe from outliers.”

“You can’t help who your family is, Shado. Demassi’s off the board now anyway. Why don’t you stop chasing a ghost?”

“What is it that you did for so long? Besides, your father wasn’t trying to exploit women and turn the city into a warzone.”

“I think you’re forgetting what my father did.” He pauses. “Look, man, I know you think you have to be alone in your mission, but you deserve happiness as much as the next dude with a fucked up past. Yeah, your dad was one of the pioneer crime lords, but you’re not him. You broke that cycle, just like I did. I trust your word with my life, so if Calista isn’t the enemy, then I won’t kill her.”

“I’d appreciate you not killing her.” I chuckle lightly, before I decide it’s time he knew.

“It was me that night.” I say, quietly.

“What do you mean? What night?”

“Remember, how they didn’t find her body? I’m the one who pulled her from the building.” I pause and try to read his facial expression. He remains stoic and stares at me, waiting for me to continue.

“I didn’t know who it was when I saved her. I had been gone for years, so it’s not like I knew who Calista Silvestri was until she started popping up on the streets.” I sigh, “But, even still, I think I would have saved her that night regardless, had I known it was her in that burning building. If you knew what she’s been through, Drake…” My voice trails off as I remember what she told me at the diner.

He lightly pats my shoulder and smirks. “You should be with her. I haven’t seen a light in your annoying ass since I met you, man. Don’t let that go.”

Sighing, he reaches for my hand and gives me a firm handshake, “The mission may be over, but don’t you dare hesitate to call me if you need something.”

Pulling him into a hug and slapping his back, I laugh, knowing this won’t be the last time I see him in this capacity.

“Go home, Drake.”

Releasing him, he turns and walks away. I lose sight of him the further he gets down the darkened alley.

Before I can turn around to head back to where I parked my bike, I feel a sharp pain smack into the back of my head. Falling to the ground, my eyes begin to roll backward and the world around me goes dark.

Chapter eleven

Calista

Acool breeze hits my back when I feel Shado’s side of the bed shift as he gets up. He seems to be intentionally trying to keep quiet, so I keep my eyes closed until his back is to me. I notice the phone he pulls from his bag isn’t Society-issued.

How have I never noticed that before?

Seeing him shake his head and quickly type out a response on the phone has my curiosity piqued.

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