Page 72 of Chaos & Carnage

When I finally find the words, my voice comes out hoarse and scratchy. “You were?” I swallow, blinking away the tears building in my eyes. “You really meant it when you agreed to work with Cain and to help the city?”

Stepping closer, his hand comes up to rest on the side of my neck. “Of course I did. It’s your home, and I realize now that Cain and Oliver aren’t going anywhere. The only way this works between the five of us is if we all get along, and the only way that can happen is if our two organizations get along.”

Dammit.I can’t stop the tear that overflows and runs a trail down my cheek.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” I murmur, pushing onto my toes so our lips are a hairsbreadth apart. He only smiles against my lips before closing the distance.

***

“Where have you been?” Cain asks when I step into the house.

“I had a few errands to run.” I figure it’s best not to get him all riled up by telling him I stopped by Blue’s lair to drop off a gift basket—not that I had any idea what the heck to buy a tech whiz hermit, but I figured snacks, alcohol, and lavender-scented candles couldn’t go amiss. They definitely help me unwind at the end of the day—preferably in a tub surrounded by bubbles. “What have you been doing?”

“Just hanging out with Evie.” He lifts his arm and I don’t hesitate to cuddle into his side. “Now that I have some spare time on my hands, I’m trying to spend as much of it as I can with her.”

“You should. You’re both completely different people now. It’ll take time to get to know one another again.”

He sighs, shaking his head, and I squeeze his middle. “I still hate that I evenhaveto get to know her again. I should already know her, and sometimes I think I do. There’re times when we’re talking or laughing or watching TV when she says or does something that’s exactly the same as the Evie from our childhood, and for a minute, I forget. I forget that she hasn’t been right here all these years. I forget that she’s been living in a literal hell. But then she doesn’t get a movie reference or know who Taylor Swift is, and it hits me all over again.”

He sounds so defeated that I just hug him closer. Nothing I can say will negate what’s already been done. Sometimes, there’s just nothing you can say that will make things better.

“Anyway,” he sighs. “Come with me. We have something for you?”

“Oh?” I quirk a brow, even as he pulls me back out the front door, ushering me into the car.

“How did your meeting with Dante go?” I ask as he drives me wherever it is we’re going.

“He suggested putting together a committee to work on rebuilding Black Creek, and somewhere where both representatives from the Rejects and Antonellis could bring any problems that could affect both parties.”

I knew this already, but I stay quiet, eager to hear what Cain’s reaction was to it all.

“And? What did you think?” I prompt when he doesn’t tell me what I’m dying to know.

“I…” He trails off, seeming to think over his next words. Does he not realize what he’s doing to me, leaving me on tenterhooks like this?! Eventually, he chuckles under his breath. “I think I’m surprised Dante thought of it before I did.”

“But what do you think of his idea?” I press. “Do you think it could work?”

“Yeah. I think it’s a great way to ensure that the needs of the people of Black Creek come first and that we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Plus, open communications between the Antonellis and us is not a bad thing. I think it could help bridge the gap between them and us, ya know?”

I nod, because I agree. It’s exactly what I’d been thinking when Dante told me his idea.

“I was thinking I’d put Oliver and Marcus on the committee, and maybe Bones. That kid has some great leadership potential.” He hesitates, flicking his gaze my way before tacking on, “I did suggest something else, though.”

“Oh, what?”

“That Dante and I meet up once a month, in a business capacity.”

My eyebrows lift in surprise. “You and Dantealonein the same room together… is that wise?”

He huffs out a laugh. “Probably not, but if he’s serious about this open communication thing, which it seems like he is, then it can’t just be our two organizations that talk. We have to, too.”

“Well, as long as neither of you comes home bleeding, then I think it’s a great idea.”

Another bark of laughter. “No promises, baby, but I’ll try not to make him bleed too much.”

I roll my eyes as we pull into the clubhouse parking lot. Oliver is already here, waiting on us, but it’s the lime green and black sports bike in front of him that has my full attention. “Oh my god,” I murmur, gaping at the beautiful specimen, even if my heart aches over the loss of Raven.

Jumping out of the car, I hurry over until I’m within touching distance, but I don’t dare reach out to stroke the bodywork.

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