Page 83 of Back In the Shadows

“My vote? Learn to deal with him. There’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to suppress him, so you might as well embrace that part of yourself and him you.”

I barked out a laugh. “He hates me too.”

Kip grinned at me. “I don’t think he hates you, I think he hates that you’re with Ella. You’re married to her, and he isn’t. You sleep with her, and he does part of the time too, but he’s a possessive son of a bitch, and he hates sharing. He’s a selfish prick, and it’s just not in his nature.” Kip chuckled.

From the conversations that Death and I have had, I knew that Kip was right. Death wanted the same with Ella. I stood and shoved my hand through my hair. “I’ve never said this before, mate, but thank you for watching my back all these years. I hope I’ve done the same for you.”

Kip nodded. “Hell yeah you have. That’s what family does, man. My parents and relatives are all sorts of fucked up, so when I met you and Dope in middle school, and Death made some appearances, Dope and I agreed that no matter the cost we’d make sure you stayed out of a mental institution and helped direct you toward kills that were at least productive. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had a real family. Anytime I needed a place to crash, you and Dope were always there for me. If I was in a fucked-up mood, you and Dope always made me laugh. As Death appeared more often, it gave me something else to focus on other than my own dark shit. So, yeah, you’ve done more for me than you’ll ever realize, and so has Death.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” I massaged the back of my neck. “You’ve never told me that much about when you were growing up. I know it wasn’t a good home life, and your mom wasintense, but not much else other than the work you did with your uncle. Did you talk to Death about it?”

Kip pursed his lips. “Nah. It’s not anyone else’s problem.”

“Not true. You just said we were all family, so I’m here if you need anything.” I walked toward the door, then said, “Keep Xavier alive. Give him a few pain pills to keep him comfortable if you want to. I have a feeling I’ll need him later on. Death is ready to end his life, but not yet. I need answers.”

“You got it.”

“I’m going to get out of this dark ass building and get some fresh air. Maybe a walk will clear my head. I’ll be back in a few.”

“All right. It’s pretty secluded out here, so you should be good to roam around without running into anyone, but just keep your eyes open.”

“I will.” With our conversation heavy on my mind, I made my way through the old warehouse and to the front entrance. Pushing it open, the sunlight filtered through the trees and on my face. Maybe Death was used to hiding in dark buildings, but I wanted some air and the freedom to walk the fuck around outside.

The door closed behind me, and I walked to a trail that led north. The sun wouldn’t set for several hours, which would give me the time I needed alone to process what my next step should be. Kip seemed genuine when he told me he wanted Death to stick around. Plus, the thought of being committed to an institution made me physically sick.

You have to trust Ella, Kip, and Dope and what they say to you. They’ve chosen to stay. Let it go.

“Of course you’d say that, Death. You don’t want to disappear. You still want to get rid of me, though. Not sure where that leaves us.”

It’s a battle of the strongest. We know that’s not you.

“You really are an asshole.” I moved a low tree limb out of my way as I continued walking. The leaves were mostly still green, but a touch of yellow rimmed their edges, introducing a hint of fall.

An odd sound caught my attention, and I stilled as I tried to identify it. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I glanced around, but I didn’t see anyone. A sharp sting pierced my neck, and I reached up, ready to slap the bug that had just bitten me, but it wasn’t a bug that I felt.

“Motherfucker. Who shot me with a tranquilizer dart?”

Goddammit. What was I just saying about who the stronger one was? You were supposed to keep your eyes open in case anyone had located you and Ella.

“Son of a bitch.” The world spun as I dropped to my knees before it completely faded away.

42

ELLA

After a nap that lasted longer than I’d wanted it to, I made my way to the designated office in search of my husband and Kip. However, as I peeked through the entryway, there was no sign of them. As I made the rounds through the building, I still hadn’t found them. Maybe they were with Xavier. It was the only other place I could think of unless they were outside, chatting. It was difficult to stay in this dingy place all the time, but I understood Death couldn’t make it more livable, or it would look suspicious to anyone who wandered upon it.

As I flung open the door to Xavier’s prison, my nostrils were immediately assaulted by a putrid stench that almost caused me to gag. He sat in the corner, his body covered in grime and filth, desperately in need of a bath and clean clothes. I hadn’t noticed it earlier since I was trying to stop Death from killing Xavier.

I glowered at him as I remembered all he had done. The kidnapping, the emotional torture with those goddamn spiders and cage—and just like that my fleeting moment of compassion disappeared, replaced by seething anger and hatred towards this man who has caused me so much pain and fear.

My heart pounded in my chest as I cautiously approached Xavier, keeping a safe distance from him. Death had left him unbound, relying on his broken knees to keep him in place. But I knew better than to underestimate his resourcefulness.

“Xavier?” My voice cracked as I spoke, trying to maintain an air of control. He looked up at me with bloodshot eyes and a lazy smile, clearly high on pain pills.

“I really like these,” he slurred, his movements sluggish and clumsy.

I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for him, knowing that even if his knees somehow healed, he would never walk properly again without medical care.

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