Page 143 of Shadowman
He glances over his shoulder. “Oh. Thanks…”
“Does it ever get lonely down here?” I ask. “Just you and Lemuel…?”
“Not really.” He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “We enjoy each other’s company.”
“Hm. I know what you mean.” I continue, rolling with the punches.It’s like improv. I’m quite impressed with myself right now.“I was alone in a nicer cell, but I was growing quite lonely. So I asked to be switched, and now I live with Byron.”
“Kang?” he grunts, and I nod. “I think he still hates me…” He chews on his bottom lip regretfully, and I squint.
He’s not the only one.“I’m sure he’ll come around.” I wave him off. “He’s a sweet lad. Honestly, I’d like it if we could all be friends.”
Darcey’s face lights up. “Really?”
“Yes, darling! We might as well; we’re all going to be stuck in here together forever, right?”
He nods. “I would like that. Maybe you can… put in a good word for me? With Kang?”
Oh, honey… I’ll put in words, don’t you worry.
“Consider it done.” I wink at him.
“Hey, could I ask you something?” His gray eyes sparkle with curiosity behind his lenses.
“Ask away.”
“Did you ever… meet Lem’s ex?” He fidgets noticeably. “Gabrielle?”
This is too good to be true.
I can’t believe this bloodthirsty madman is practically tying himself up and hopping into my trunk right now!
“I did.” I nod, preparing to spout nonsense. “Quite the lady. Accomplished, affluent… Poised, but with an air of secret sexuality about her. The whole package, really.”
Felix’s forehead lines, his lips pursing in displeasure. It’s bloodyperfection.
“Why do you ask?”
“No reason…” His bespectacled gaze falls.
“Oh, sweetheart.” I squeeze his shoulder. “Listen, you havenothingto worry about. Lemuel is enamored with you. It’s obvious.”
“I know, I’m just… thinking about the future.”
I grit my teeth. “By obsessing over the past?”
He blinks at me, a small smile tugging at his mouth. “You know what? You’re right. Thank you, Trevel. I’m really… glad you’re here.”
Something peculiar happens in my chest at hearing that, the sincerity in his voice and his stormy eyes. But then I remember that he’s a psychopath, and ifI’mfaking this shit, then he most likely is as well.
So I pull the most realistic fake smile I can and murmur, “Me too, darling. Me too.”
Footsteps alert us to someone coming up the hall, and Felix ducks back inside his room, preparing to slam the door. But the unmistakable form of Dr. Love comes from around the corner, and he reemerges.
Dr. Love gapes at me, a protective glare casting over Darcey briefly before he grunts, “What are you doing?”
“We’re just chatting,” Felix answers him blithely with a twist to the lips, likely to pacify his man’s suspicion.
Lem’s eyes bounce back and forth between us, and he looks beyond skeptical. But I don’t care.I got what I came for.
