Page 89 of Rise of the King (Checkmate 5)

“You’re really here?” Kane’s gun hand finally begins to shake. “Why’d you…” His eyes shoot to my forehead. “No. I don’t… It’s literally impossible. I saw your records; I saw the death certificate. You think I didn’t have it pulled so I could make sure myself?” His voice rises with anger. “You think I just let you go without searching? Fuck you, Jay! You’re dead.”

“I’m here.”

“I saw the fuckin’ records!”

“Ace changed them up. My new ID says John D. Hamilton.”

“John D.–”

“Like, John Doe. I was Ace’s John Doe. I was flown out and stuffed into a bigger hospital, then I made it so I disappeared again.”

“I saw you.” Jess steps around Kane with narrowed eyes. “I literally saw you drop. You were shot. Lots of times.”

“Yes, I was. I was clinically dead lots of times too.”

“I don’t understand how you could survive something like that.” Like an idea comes to her, her eyes widen and her arm shoots up. She points to a chunky scar on her arm and steps closer. “It literally passed through you and hit me. People don’t survive that. Not like… Not how…”

“I did. I survived. I’m sorry my bullet got you, though. I wish I’d stopped it.”

“You wish you’d…” Brows pulled together, she lets her breath out on a huff. “I can’t process this. I can’t… I… Kane?”

“Who is Ace?”

Soph stiffens at my back and steps closer.

“Wait.” Riley steps forward. “Are you glitching everyone’s security? Is that you, or is that the fucker Spence just took?”

I considered Riley a brother at one point, a compatriot, and a friend. And though he doesn’t stare at me the way Kane is, he doesn’t look at me like a friend, either.

“Ace is in your security,” I admit. “We’re in, and we’re watching. We have been since April. But we’re not the only ones; someone else is in too. That’s why we’re here today.”

Leaning a little to the left, Kane narrows his eyes at my right shoulder until Soph leans out. “You’re my neighbor.”

I’m not sure, apart from that time I helped myself to her apartment and watched her dance, that I’ve ever seen Soph scared. But she shakes behind me now. Her hands quiver, and her knees knock. “Yes. I’m your neighbor.”

“Do you know the world he’s dragged you into? Do you know being here is dangerous?”

“Yes.” She clears her throat. “I know this world.”

“He knocked on your door and let himself in because your home is right across from mine, and it made a good vantagepoint for him?” Kane’s eyes come to mine. “Seduce the pretty girl, use her; then she dies when your enemies come looking? Is that still you, Jay? You don’t care about women, because they’re just a fuck-hole?”

“It’s not like that. It’s–”

His fist comes out faster than I expected, harder than I remember, and knocks me to my ass until I see stars. My head swims as the group pulls back until it’s just me, Kane, and Soph. Bravely, she jumps between me and Kane, cowering into me when his fist swings out a second time.

He pulls it just before it clips her jaw, then cocks his gun and points it at my leg. “I need fucking answers, and I need them seven months ago.”

“Don’t hit his head!” Soph roars. No longer cowering, she opens her chest and steps up to him – albeit, she does it while essentially sitting on me. “Hit him in the gut, call him mean names, shoot his leg–”

“Don’t shoot his leg,” Riley says.

“But don’t hit him in the head!” Soph finishes. My brain rattles inside my skull and makes me dizzy, while Soph stands and her calves stop just in front of my eyes. “You see his scar. You see his skull is already compromised. Don’t hit him in the fuckin’ head, Kane Bishop!”

“Give me answers! My brother died. My brother was a junkie. My brother saved my girl’s life and died a hero. Now he’s back, and no one is giving me answers.”

“Are you done hitting?” Eric asks. He steps between Soph and Kane. “You done?”

“No!” Kane roars. “I’m just getting started.”

“Come on up.” Turning, Eric extends a hand and helps bring me to my feet. I don’t know if Kane has gotten stronger in our time apart, or maybe I’ve gotten softer since I don’t remember the last time someone attacked me with fists. Or maybe Soph is right, and my skull just can’t take that shit anymore, but nausea rolls in my gut while my brain spins in my skull. “You need a medic?” Eric’s eyes constantly jump back to my forehead. “We got someone who can help, and they won’t snitch that you’re here.”

“He’s fine.” Bravely,or stupidly,Soph pushes between me and Eric and slaps his hand away. “Don’t hit him anymore.”

“Let’s talk,” Eric repeats. “War room. Bring your A-game, because we have a lot of shit to talk about, then we gotta deal with the dude in the bunker. Who the fuck is he, anyway?”

“We’ll meet you in the war room in ten,” Kane snaps. Turning with Jess’ hand in his, he pulls her through the crowd and slams the door closed as he leaves.

“Delicate,” Soph murmurs. Turning and taking both of my hands to steady me, her eyes swim. “You said you were gonna be delicate, you big fat dummy.”

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