Page 74 of Hell Breaks Loose

“What?!” We both spout off at once.

“Clearly, you’re both right, and we need to work together in some capacity. Even if it’s just keeping an eye on one another.” He puts himself between us, nailing both of us with his matter of fact expression. “There’s a common enemy. A more pressing problem.”

“Oh, so now you’re a politician, diplomat?” Ora scoffs, flipping him off. “Or just a horny man, trying to get his dick wet?”

“Ora. Trust me. This is for the best. As long as it’s alright with Hellena?” He glances at me, back at the door, widening his eyes for a split second, giving me the signal that no one is listening. But Sing will be back soon.

“That’s actually a great idea. Ora, please.”

“We have enough to deal with fighting the Ghosts. We don’t need to fight war on two sides.” Gavin grips her shoulders, turning her away from me.

“One enemy at a time, huh?” Ora grumbles, shuffling out. “What do I tell your tasty bodyguard? Are you going to send someone with us as a liaison?”

We both barely hide a slight smirk at her irresistible comment.

“I’ll do you one better. I’ll send Sing with you. Enjoy.”

The faintest hint of a snicker hits me like a stab through the heart. Made of hope. That we’re not so far gone…

Right before I curse silently. Sing is not going to be happy about this. But he’s the best I have to send.

He can handle himself. And I need him out from underfoot.

I’m down the stairs and out through the archway before I can second-guess my decision. Jay and Mannie have come around, as close to as on my side as I can get with Marco’s guys.

“Sing. Gavin stays, you go with them. I need eyes on their camp. They need eyes in ours.”

A tiny, almost imperceptible sigh is all the protest I get.

Weird.

Sidling up to him, I lower my voice to a whisper. “You’re not pushing back?”

“You put me in a position where I can’t without undermining you.”

“That was the point.”

“Then own it. And honestly, it’s probably the smartest thing you’ve done thus far,” he mutters, saying more words at once than I think he ever has. In his entire life.

Was that… a hint of a smile?

Before I can overthink it, I give him a firm nod, like I was just giving him orders, and leave without looking back. Halfway up the steps, I hear Tell’s voice rise.

“You fucking kidding me? She?—”

The door slams on the Hum-V, blocking out the rest.

I wish I could go to him, explain.

Just trust me, Tell. Please.

Back inside the house, I give Jay the order that I want to be left alone for the rest of the day. It’s absent. Offhanded. Just the sort of solemn frustration they would expect after seeing my old friends.

Gavin is still in my office, waiting for me. I close the door, watching him closely. Leaning against my desk, he looks like a menace.

Brooding.

Every inch the man who scared the shit out of me when we met months ago.

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