Page 11 of Paradox
I look away, silently urging Tek to close the door.
“Be right back, First Lady,” he assures me.
First Lady. Yeah, right.
I don’t think I have a claim on that title anymore.
CHAPTER 4
E SQUARED
***Einstein***
“What’s going on, Jon?” Ellen accosts me the moment I walk through the door.
With a deep breath, I glance over at Mikey, asleep on a blow-up mattress in our room. I make my way to Ellen, taking her hands in mine.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Ellen. Trust me.”
“Really?” Her brows arch in disbelief. “Did you not see that child? Is he my nephew? Gage won’t answer any of my questions. If anyone can, it’s you.”
“It will all work out, babe. Right now, I’m more concerned about Raven. I’m going to stick around and keep an eye on her tonight.”
“I’ll stay, too. Mikey’s already asleep. How is she?”
“Hurt, confused, angry. I need to monitor her blood pressure.”
“Fudge.” She tugs her hands from my grip, pacing next to the bed. “Stupid Gage and these stupid whores you choose to keep around here. I can’t believe he’d do this.”
“Ellen—”
“No!” she whisper-shouts. “Don’t make excuses for him or them. I don’t even know how you can be with someone who you know for a fact has fucked all your friends, and probably the entire male population of the town.” She scoffs in disgust.
“Ellen.” I grab her shoulders, turning her to face me. “Calm down. Everything’s going to be okay, babe. I promise.”
She slides her arms around my waist, burying her face in my chest.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“I know.”
“What’s going to happen now?” She peeks up at me, blue eyes troubled.
“I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Gage yet. Just get some sleep and we’ll see how things go in the morning.”
“Okay. I’m going to check on Raven first.”
“Yeah. Me, too.”
After a final glance in Mikey’s direction, we both leave the room. We find Gage sitting on the floor by his door, knees drawn up, head against the wall. His eyes are closed, but I know he’s not sleeping. Looks like Raven still won’t let him into the room. Before Ellen knocks on the door, she gives Gage’s foot a kick so forceful, it falls to the floor fully extended. His eyes snap open and then narrow at his sister.
“Asshole,” she grumbles, leaving us in the hallway.
Trixie, one of the Hounds, walks up with a plate, distressed eyes trained on me.
“I’ve been trying to get him to eat something but he won’t.”
I nod, taking the sandwich and chips before sitting next to my friend.
