Page 5 of Mafie Trials

I turn on the puppy dog eyes and change my stance from stiff to soft, leaning forward in mock defeat.

Arrow looks at me with a challenge, and I know he can see exactly what I’m doing. But he doesn’t comment, he just turns around and heads back to the hospital.

“Someone’s a manipulator,” Havoc murmurs.

“I prefer to think of myself as an outcome engineer. But no one asked for your opinion, buddy,” I say as I turn back into the strong independent woman I am and shove the ears into his rib cage just a little harder.

“You shouldn’t have to pretend for your boyfriend, that’s messed up.”

“He isnotmy boyfriend,” I say as I pinch the back of his arm and cause his hand to cramp and spasm. Trigger points are some of the best knowledge I’ve ever received.

As Havoc regains his composure, he glances down at me. “You’re kinda feisty. I like that.”

I roll my eyes again as the shed comes into view. Damien is standing by the door with it cracked open.

“Who’s this?” Damien asks as we approach.

“This is Havoc,” I say. “He apparently trained Evie. He also came to warn her and try to stop the men who were sent after her.”

Damien’s whole attitude has been the worst to deal with in all of this. The one man who was always sure of himself and what he wanted is now walking around like a wounded dog. I see his face harden as I escort Havoc into his new cell. Damien will never admit it, but he still loves Evie, even if he’s mad at her.

“What do you mean he tried to warn her? How did he know this was going to happen?”

I rehash the conversation we had in Evie’s hospital room and bring him up to speed. If he hadn't run out like an offended child he would know what’s going on. As soon as I finish talking Damien turns on his heels and leaves.

My phone chimes and a message with the codes for the shed pops up from Damien. I move to put the phone back in my pocket when it chimes again. All the color drains from my face as I read a message that isnotfrom Damien.

“Hey, you okay?” Havoc asks, but I can’t answer him. All I can do is stare at the message in front of me.

Adrik: You keep working for me or I’ll tell her who you are.

Ringing starts up in my ears. It’s only when Havoc puts a cuffed hand on my shoulder that I can come back to myself. He glances at the message over my shoulder while I do nothing to hide it from him.

Maybe he can help me.

“I don’t know what to do,” I tell him with tears in my eyes. And for once, they aren’t fake. “I’ve done everything I can to protect her, she’s worth protecting. My family went into hiding for her. I’ve risked their lives forher,and he’s going to ruin it. Just like that.”

My breaths come in short pants and I’m aware that I’m hyperventilating, but there's nothing I can do to stop it. She’s going to find out who I am. She’s going to find out what I did. And after that, I’ll never get my friend back. She willnevertrust me again.

Havoc pulls me close, and there’s something about the scent of him that makes my breathing regulate. I squeeze my eyes tight and try desperately to think of a plan.

“I’ve known E for a long time,” Havoc says, almost in a whisper “If you tell her the truth she will forgive you. It will take time, and it will hurt, but shewillforgive you.”

I let his words sink in. The fact that he’s locked in a room and chained to a wall but still choosing to comfort and help me tells me everything I need to know about him. He’s a good guy, we can trust him.

I pull back and wipe the tears from my face. “Thank you, I’m going to go and talk to her. I never wanted to keep this from her, but there was never a good way to tell her.”

He nods in understanding, probably feeling the same way I am. The Kings want to protect her because they love her, but Havoc and I want to protect her because she’s family to us. I can see it in the way he looks at me. The sadness in his eyes, the sincerity. He knows what Evie looks like at her weakest, and he hates that she looks that way again because he couldn’t stop it.

“I’ll be back with dinner. If she lets me live, that is.” I back out of the room while an odd feeling settles in my stomach. I type in the code Damien gave me to lock up and turn to find Arrow standing right behind me.

I jump in surprise. “What the heck,” I say, throwing my hand over my chest where my heart is racing. I was so lost in thought I didn’t even hear him. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

“Why were you in there so long?” he asks, ignoring my question altogether.

“None of your business,” I say as I walk around him.

“Were you crying?” Arrow turns me to him and pinches my chin in his fingers, forcing my eyes to lock with his. His nose flares when he sees the truth, but I won’t give him an answer.

---