Page 39 of Shadow's Heart
Glancing at Shadow, I can see the shock in his expression. Even knowing Rex has been struggling since the truth came to light, I don’t think either one of us expected him to look this bad. We watch as he closes the door behind himself, answering the question about whether or not he brought anyone with him. He stands in front of the now closed door alone, looking as if he’s facing a firing squad. To my surprise, Shadow stands and walks over to Rex. I have no idea what he’s planning; I’m just hoping it isn’t something violent.
* * *
Shadow
Before Rex stepped into my office, I was all for being a hardass, but my first look at him changed that fast. The man is fucking broken. He’s so weighed down with guilt for what he did that it’s eating him alive. I can’t, in good conscience, make this man feel any worse than he already does. He clearly regrets his actions.
Without a second thought, I stand from my chair behind my desk and head for Rex. The look on his face as I head for him clearly shows he’s expecting me to do something to him, andhe’s resigned to the fact. Actually, no, he’s accepted it and thinks he deserves it. The shock that overtakes his face when I gently place a hand on his shoulder is like a punch to the gut. This man doesn’t deserve my anger. Wreck was right when he said Rex was a victim too. Seeing him this way in front of me has brought that home in a way just Wreck’s words couldn’t. Sometimes seeing is believing.
“Rex, neither one of us is going to hurt you. Wreck doesn’t blame you one bit, and after seeing you now. Seeing the way this has clearly affected you, I no longer blame you either. You’re a victim too.” I say, keeping my voice calm and gentle.
“I don’t know what to say to that. The guilt I feel for what I did.” He stops abruptly swallowing hard.
Removing my hand from his shoulder, I wave him to follow me over to my desk and take a seat. He follows without a word, clearly trying to get his thoughts and feelings in order. I retake my seat by Wreck, taking his hand and squeezing gently.
“Rex.” Wreck says to gain his attention. “We don’t need to speak about what happened. I know you’re sorry for the role you played, and I forgive you. Now you need to forgive yourself.”
He nods his head but doesn’t speak straight away. This has got to be a total head fuck for the guy. “Thank you, but my Mom mentioned you had something only I could help you with, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to focus on that.”
“That’s fine, but let me make this clear, Rex. Whether or not you find Dre, you are forgiven.” Rex doesn’t speak, so Wreck continues. “Around a year ago now, my brother Dre disappeared, and when I say disappeared, I mean one day he was there, and the next there was no sign of him anywhere. I spent six months physically searching for him, finding and following every lead I could and nothing. There was no sign of him anywhere. It’s like he just vanished into thin air. Eventually I had no other choice but to come home and hope Techcould find something online that would lead me to him, but unfortunately he hasn’t had any luck either. I have copies of everything here for you, and I’m asking you if you’d please try and find him. I honestly believe if anyone can, it’s you.”
For the first time since Rex stepped into my office, I can see the man he was before all this shit took over his life. The task of finding Dre has just lit up the fierce man of justice inside Rex. You can literally see the determination to find Dre filling him, and for the first time in months, I actually feel real hope that Dre will be found.
“Give me everything you have, and I fucking promise you I’ll use every resource in my arsenal, and I will find Dre. Whoever is behind this would never have expected you to have my resources, and that will be their downfall.”
Wreck passes over all the physical files as well as a flash drive, and I can tell Rex is impressed with just how much information Wreck has gathered. Yeah, my man didn’t leave any stone unturned when it came to trying to find Dre, and I get it. I’d have been the same way if it was Wrath. I feel for Wreck; I have since he found out Dre was missing. I can’t imagine the pain and worry he’s constantly living with, not knowing what happened.
“This is more than I was expecting and will help me figure out where I need to focus and what’s going to be a dead end. You’ve just handed me one hell of a head start in this case.”
“I’m glad all this is going to be of use to you because it’s been fucking useless to me. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I won’t. As soon as I have anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you.” We both say in union as Rex stands and leaves my office.
His walk out of my office is nothing like how it was when he entered. Now, he’s walking with his head up, shoulders back,and full of confidence. It’s good to see, because we need him on his A game if he’s going to find Dre.
When the door closes behind Rex, I glance at Wreck and see a small smile playing on his lips. I think we’re both thinking the same thing. This plan is going to work. Rex will get back in the right frame of mind and forgive himself. He’ll also be the one to find the answer to our most plaguing question. Where is Dre?
Chapter Forty-Three
Jake
Being on gate duty isn’t so bad. At least out here I don’t have to try and talk to anyone. I just have to stay focused and make sure only people who should be here are allowed into The Compound. It’s not hard. I don’t understand why so many people complain about it. Personally, I’m just really happy to be back. Being away while I recovered sucked.
Hearing a car driving towards me coming from within The Compound, I look and spot my brother Rex driving his 1967 Ford Mustang. I know it’s him; he’s the only person I know who drives such an old and classic car. I still remember when he first got it in high school; back then it wasn’t in good shape at all. He worked meticulously to put it back to its former glory, finding as many original parts as he could. Now you wouldn’t even think it had ever been in such bad shape. He seriously loves that car.
As he approaches the gate, he pulls off to the side instead of driving through. I’m sort of glad; I want to know how his meeting with Shadow and Wreck went. When he steps out of his car, I have to do a double take. He looks nothing like he did when he arrived; gone is the somber, lifeless person my brother had become recently, and in his place is the confident, determined brother that I know and love.
“You’re looking better. I take it things went well.” I say as he approaches me.
“You could say that. I don’t even know how to describe that meeting. Those men are something else. They should hate me, but for some reason they don’t. Not only that, Wreck is trusting me with what is probably one of the most important things in his life.”
“I did tell you all these men were something else. There’s a reason I wanted to join Devil’s Inferno, and the type of men who are members here are just one of the reasons.”
“I can see that now. I never said it before, but thank you for saving me from making the biggest mistake of my life. If I’d have come back from my job and still had Wreck in custody, not knowing what I do know. I’d probably have ended up killing him, and I’d never be able to live with myself if I’d have killed an innocent man. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you, baby brother. I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me fucking anything. I’m just glad we all managed to avoid disaster. You need to move on now. Do this job, find Dre, and forgive yourself. Wreck’s not wrong when he says you were a victim too, but it’s up to you if you carry on being a victim or if you become a survivor.”
