Page 53 of Back In the Shadows

“What’s wrong, babe?”

“All these years I thought I had a brain tumor, and it made me hear someone else’s voice, but apparently it’s another part of me.” He released a sad sigh before he continued. “Death says the basement and riddles make sense, but why would someone want to draw him out now after all of these years?”

“Wait, what? You can hear him?” I gave Sebastian and then Ryan a bewildered look.

“It’s a new development since you were taken. All the stress had him changing quickly, and we had to tell Sebastian the truth,” Ryan explained.

“We definitely need to talk when you’re better,” my husband said.

From the tone of his voice, I wasn’t sure I would like what he had to say, and I wasn’t ready to deal with anything except catching the men who took me. I redirected the conversation and said, “They must have learned that I was trying to find out who killed your parents.” Guilt gnawed at me. “Death learned the truth and he was furious. They must have been tipped off or learned about my investigation somehow. Xavier said he had eyes everywhere. He knew that I loved to dance and that I’m married to Sebastian.”

Ryan scratched his chin, pondering. “Maybe you’ve been followed and didn’t know it. Did you talk to anyone about the case? Ask questions to anyone that had lived in the area or anything?”

“I tried to be discreet, but I did reach out to a few people. Unfortunately, they didn’t want to talk too much about it other than how horrible it was for the family.”

“I’ll need the names and any details that you can think of. Dope and I can look into it while you’re getting better.” Ryan patted my shoulder, his expression grim.

I’d been around Death and Sebastian long enough to be able to tell when someone was hiding something from me, and Ryan was definitely hiding something. I just had no idea what it was … yet.

The door to my room opened and Dr. Neely reappeared. “Let’s get some bloodwork done and see how you’re feeling, Ella. You also need some rest.”

“I need to take care of a few things, Ella, so I’ll be back later. Call if you need anything. Glad you're back.” Ryan gave me a warm smile.

“Me too.”

I looked at the phone still in my hand and realized Ryan was waiting for it. “I’ll talk to you in a little while. I love you.” I blew Sebastian a kiss as we said our goodbyes before I gave the cell back to Ryan. I knew Sebastian was worried about me, and I’d tried my best to let him think I was mentally unscarred. But it was a lie. I was struggling to keep it together in front of everyone when what I really wanted was to sob, scream, and hit something. With everything going on with Sebastian and Death, I was afraid to add any more emotional baggage that might tip him one way or the other. Death had to lie low for now.

“I need security outside of her room,” Ryan explained to the doctor. “I won’t leave until someone is there. No one other than you and a nurse can enter. Are we clear?” Ryan flashed his badge.

Exhausted, I gave him a smile. “Maybe I can get a little sleep before you leave.”

“If you need me to stay, I will. Bass isn’t going anywhere.” He chuckled at his joke.

“Just until I can fall asleep. I’m … I’m afraid I’ll have nightmares.”

Ryan pulled up a chair and sat next to me. “I’ll be here.”

“Cami is lucky to have you,” I mumbled through a yawn.

Ryan’s expression stuttered at the mention of Cami. His gaze darted away from mine before he looked at me again. “More on that later too.” He patted my arm, his tone subdued while the nurse drew blood from the other one. “I’m going to call Dope and Kip and give them the good news about you, but I’ll talk to them after you get some rest.”

As soon as she was finished, my eyes fluttered closed. I slipped into a fitful sleep and dreamed Xavier was hunting me.

26

SEBASTIAN

The next few hours dragged on as Ryan stayed with Ella. I was mad as hell that Death had caused a scene and if I stepped foot back into the hospital, I would immediately be arrested. Under no circumstances could that happen.

A loud pounding from outside jolted me out of my daze. My pulse thundered in my ears as I struggled against the restraints, desperately trying to free myself. With each knock, I heard my best friends’ voices shouting for me on the other side.

Seconds later, the door opened slowly and Kip and Dope walked in, their eyes wide as they surveyed my situation.

“Don’t just stand there, pick the lock on these fucking handcuffs.”

Kip chuckled as he approached me and began to work on the lock. With a soft click, I was free. Relief flooded through me as I rubbed the raw skin on my wrist.

“Thanks, mate.”

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