Page 96 of The Beat of My Heart
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. How are you? How’s Charlie and Jules?” he asks.
“We’re all good,” I say, walking into his condo. “What about you? You look like you’re moving around a little better?”
He flinches but composes himself quickly. He hates being reminded of what he considers a weakness. “I’m fine, but I need to discuss some things with you. Have a seat.”
“Fuck, Loki. Why does this feel like the conversation we had a few months ago?” I ask, feeling the dread creep into my bones.
Peering around Loki’s condo, I notice again just how sparse it is. He is a minimalist by nature, but save for a single picture of him with Dexter, Preston, and I, there’s nothing personal here. If you removed that picture frame from the mantel, this place could pass as a model home. You’d never know he’d been here.
“It’s not as bad this time,” Loki starts. “At least not for you.”
“What the hell does that even mean, Loki?” I hate it when he talks in riddles.
“It seems the Black family has its new leader. Apparently, Miles Black wasn’t as in the dark about the family business as we thought,” he tells me. My mind immediately goes to Lexi.
“Jesus. Is this nightmare ever going to end?” I ask.
Suddenly serious, Loki says, “Trevor, I will end this, don’t doubt that, but I will need your help again.”
Fuck.
“Has your father contacted you?” Loki asks.
“Yes, but I’ve blocked him. He may have weaseled his way out of jail time, but he is dead to me.” Uneasy about why he’s asking, I look at him skeptically, “Why are you asking, Loki? Please don’t tell me he is messed up with them again?” I plead.
“From what I can tell, he is rebuffing their requests, but it will be increasingly difficult for him as Miles Black builds his army,” Loki informs me.
“What does any of that have to do with me? I thought I was in the clear now?” I ask, getting pissed.
“As far as I know, you are. There are just two loose ends I can’t figure out,” he tells me.
“Those are?” I’m getting impatient, and I notice my leg has started to bounce rapidly.
“The first is why your father is so desperate to contact you. He’s going to impressive lengths to get your attention, and I can’t figure out why. You’re not seeing most of it, especially if you’ve blocked him because you’re holed up in the safety of Dexter’s compound most of the time, but I’m telling you, he’s a desperate man. Whatever it is he is trying to get to you, he’s willing to risk his life for it,” he tells me.
My mind is racing as I try to figure out what the hell could be so important from a man I haven’t spoken to more than a handful of times over the last ten years. Remembering Loki said two things, I ask, “What’s the other thing?”
Shaking his head, he says, “Lexi Heart.”
My eyes whip to his so fast I’m surprised they aren’t rolling. “What about her? She’s staying at Julia’s house, but she left Miles months ago. She isn’t mixed up in this, is she? How is it fucking possible for us all to be so connected?
I see shadows cross Loki’s eyes and I wonder just how involved he is in all this. Then I want to bitch-slap myself. This is my friend, a friend that has put his life on the line more times than I can possibly understand, and he has never once asked for anything in return.
“I’m trying to figure it all out, Trevor, but I’m running out of time. We have to find out what Romero wants with you, and I will have to extract Lexi,” he tells me.
“What do you mean extract? Isn’t she at Julia’s?” I ask.
“For now, but I know Miles is working on a plan to take her back by force, if necessary. She will have to come to Waverley-Cay,” he says.
I’m spiraling. Holy Christ, we’re going to have a full house. “Where is she going to stay?” I ask. “Lanie’s bringing the babies home soon, Julia and I are busting at the seams already in their guest house. I’ve been meaning to talk to Julia about getting our own place. Maybe I need to rush that?”
“Slow down, Trevor. You and Julia have to stay put for the time being. There are still too many unknowns for you to be branching out. I have Dexter’s place locked down, you're safest there,” he tells me.
“Then where is she going to stay? She has to be somewhere safe? Will she stay with you?” I ask, suddenly liking the idea of Loki having a house guest and not being alone.
“No, she won’t be able to stay here. I have to take another assignment as soon as I have her to ensure everyone’s safety,” he says without making eye contact.
“Loki? Is there something going on I don’t know about?” I ask.
