Page 48 of Back In the Shadows

Minutes later, Ryan turned into a parking lot of a seedy hotel. “It sucks, but at least if Death reappears and loses his shit, they won’t call the cops because they’ll lose all the drug and prostitute business. I think you’re safer here than anywhere else.”

Ryan whipped the car into a parking spot at the side of the motel. “Hang tight, I’ll get a room. Do not fucking leave this car. Are we clear?”

“Yeah.” I wiped my eyes.

“Arebothof you clear?”

Death muttered his agreement in my head, then I responded to Ryan. “Yeah.”

I watched as Ryan hurried to the entrance and disappeared inside.

“Why are you here?” I asked the person everyone referred to as Death. “Why am I aware of you suddenly?”

A voice without an accent filled my mind.Because Ella is dead, and it was too much for us to both block out is my guess. It’s my fault, but you need to get the fuck out of my way because I’m going to hunt the motherfuckers down and kill them all.

I winced at the knowledge of being able to communicate with the dark side of me.

“Do you know who took Ella?”

Not yet, but we were close to finding out. Ryan and I were making our way to a place we suspected she was being held, but then it got too dark. On our way back down the mountain we found Ella unconscious in the middle of the road.

A soft wail escaped me, imagining her beaten, bruised, and all alone.

You’ve gotta let me take over, Sebastian. I’m not fucking asking. We can do this the nice way, or I will shove you aside and take control.

Deep inside me, I knew he was right. If we wanted to learn the truth about who was behind killing my wife … I stared out the window, trying not to lose my shit. The car door opened, and Ryan climbed in.

“We’re in the back where it’s a little quieter and more private. I’m going to get you settled, then head to the hospital.”

Ten minutes later, I’d gone to the bathroom and Ryan had gotten some snacks and bottled water from a vending machine he’d located in the hall.

“Sorry to do this, man,” he said.

I frowned at him as he produced his handcuffs. “It’s for your own good unless you want to land in prison and lose your kids too.” He tilted his head and indicated for me to sit on the mattress.

I sank onto it, a spring poking me in the ass cheek as I did.

“Scoot back and get comfy.”

“Are you sure you have to do this, mate?” My voice sounded sad and foreign to my ears.

“Yup. I can’t take a chance of you disappearing on me. When we go after the fuckers that are responsible, I’ll be right by your side, but I have to take care of …” He swallowed as he grabbed my wrist and secured me to the headboard.

As if that will hold us.A sinister chuckle echoed through my mind.

He stepped back and pocketed the key. “You can have your phone, but you have to promise no calls outside of me, Kip, and Dope.”

“Sure.” I snatched up the remote control and pushed the power button, hoping for the noise to drown out the voice in my mind.

“I’ll return as soon as I can.”

I stared at the television, desperately needing a moment alone to process what had happened. I still couldn’t fathom the idea that Ella was gone. “Take your time.”

Ryan nodded, his mouth pursed into a thin line. He’d always been one to hide his emotions, but with the news about Ella, it seemed as though he was struggling as much as I was. Something inside me required proof. To see her body and to say goodbye. It wasn’t going to seem real until I could do that. I needed closure.

And when we have it, I’ll turn this world into a fucking blood bath. I’ll cut the bastard’s cock off and shove it down his throat while I filet him alive.

I winced as the voice in my head continued sharing in graphic detail what was going to happen.

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