Page 237 of Shadowman
“He’s The Ivory’s problem now.” Trevel steps up to me, resting his hands on my shoulders. “Truth be told, I wasn’t sure what to do with him, anyway.”
“No shit,” I grumble, and he frowns.
“Are you upset with me?” His head slants in this almost innocently bemused way that makes me want to laugh.
But I’m far too restless right now to find his lunacy adorable.
“Yes, Trevel, I am upset with you.” I puff out the words on an exhausted breath. “If you’ll recall, I was upset with you beforewe even left the prison! And now, everything is all fucked up… I mean,Jesus, how much chaos can happen in one night??”
I make a weak attempt at pulling away from him, but it doesn’t take. He holds me in place while rubbing my shoulders gently, yet firm enough that it’s easing some stress in them almost instantly. My eyes flutter shut.
God, the way he works those fucking hands…
I’m still pissed, and worried, stressed and anxious, and exhausted, and scared. But the massage is helping, too much to attempt fighting it.
“Shh… I know, baby,” he croons, pressing on some spot at the base of my skull that instantly alleviates the tension headache throbbing my temples. “Things have gotten a bit wonky, and I’m sorry for the part I’ve played in it.”
“Watch the collar…” I mumble. He breathes a soft chuckle, and my eyes open slowly, latching onto his purple gaze. Exhaling, I drop my forehead onto his. “Whether I want it to or not, my life revolves around this stupid island. And now it’s all been turned upside down. In the span of one night,everythinghas changed.”
I gulp when I think about Luthor and Ren, and what the Warden said. About them leaving…
This situation feels insurmountable.
“I know it seems like that, love, but trust me, things have been changing for a while,” Trevel says calmly. “Maybe you can’t see it, because it’s been built around you for so long…”
I think he might be right, but I don’t want to accept it. I loathe the idea that I’m so easy to break now.
Alabaster Pen tore me down.
I’m not a fighter anymore… I’m weak.
I’m nothing but… a prisoner.
Lifting my face, I blink at him, remembering how we stood in this exact spot only a few hours ago. Partners in crime, working together to exact ourrevenge. That’s how it seemed, anyway.
I remember how he kissed me in front of Darcey and Dr. Love…
It felt real in the moment. But how can I be sure it was? How can I be sure I’m not just another part of his plan?
A pawn inhisgame…
“Was this what you wanted?” I ask quietly. His forehead lines. “Turning Dr. Love over to The Ivory… Like he did to you?”
He stares at me for a moment before murmuring, “Karmaisa bitch…”
“Right… And now we’re on his side,” I breathe. “For better or worse.”
Our eyes remain locked, those words hanging in the air.
“Well… you are my prison wife.” His lips twitch.
I huff, then shake my head. “Trevel, this is serious.”
“I know, baby…” He pouts, continuing with his massaging that feels intentionally distracting.
“What happened?” I mumble. “With Love… when you were out in the woods?”
“We were almost to the prison when the tower fell,” he answers. “It was bonkers how loud it was. Felt like a bloody bomb had been dropped.”
