Page 181 of Barinov

“Sorry,” I whisper, though I don’t really mean it. Those words feel like a cruel irony. There are no green pastures here, not anymore. Only cold icy marble under our feet, the smell of burning wax, and the heat of rage rolling off of each and every one of The Hollow Kings’ shoulders.

The service drags on in a cycle of standing and sitting that feels like we’re in slow motion. We rise for the Gospel, then sink back down as the priest moves through the ancient liturgy. The incense swirling in lazy, gray ghosts around the casket, blurring the lines of the white pall until my eyes burn from the strain of watching.

Finally, the priest steps toward the edge of the altar.

“Anthony DeShawn Reyes was a son of this city. And he was taken from us far too soon…”

The rest fades into the background. I can’t focus on theology when all I can see is Lex cradling DeShawn’s body. All I can feel is the vibrations of Rez’s scream as it filled the arena.

I hate that they’re up there on that front row exposed and broken. I hate that nothing I can say or do will fix this jagged hole in their hearts.

“…until we all meet again in the light of the eternal Kingdom. Amen.”

Before we all file out, the Hollow Kings move as one toward the side altar.

Ellie and I follow, our footsteps hush on the marble.

Lex reaches for a wooden taper. He pauses, steadying his hand as it catches a flame from the center candle. For a fleeting second, his face illuminates in a golden glow as he leans over the blue glass to light a new wick for DeShawn. Rez stands behind him, a heavy hand on his cousin’s shoulder.

One by one, the rest of us follow. Sparks of orange catching the wicks until a small constellation of lights flicker against the stone-cold alcove above.

I walk up behind Lex and lace our fingers together. We stand there in silence, just watching the flames dance.

Chapter 46

BRIGGS

NOX - Room 1121

74 days since Bella was kidnapped.

“I just mean… are we really sure this is the best plan?” Ellie’s voice is small. Her fingers weave through my hair as a sliver of dawn cuts through the curtains.

Not this again.

I release her nipple with a wet pop and press my forehead into her ribcage, inhaling her pear blossom scent. “Darlin’.” The word comes out a muffled sound against her skin. “We talked about this.”

“I’m sorry, babe,” she whispers. Her hand stills in my hair, palm heavy against my scalp. “I just hate the idea of you being in that house.”

I let out a long sigh. “Honey it’s just recon.” I press a kiss to her stomach and trail my lips lower in a desperate attempt to change this damn subject. “We’ll be in and out before you know it.”

She scoffs. “And why does it have to be the three of you?”

Jesus Christ. It’s a good thing I love this girl.

I huff out a heavy breath and roll off of her, the mattress creaking as I thump onto my back. “You read Zeke’s letter, El,” I say, hooking an arm behind my head. “You know why it has to be the three of us.”

She rolls over and drapes her leg across my thigh. Fingers tracing the barbed wire around her name inked on my chest. “I still don’t like it. Why couldn’t Khoza go? Or O’Malley… or hell even Laing?”

“Because Khoza’s massive ass and Mac’s fiery red hair will draw too much attention,” I explain, ticking the reasons off in my head. “And throwing Laing in there with Bella will only create unneeded tension. We need Lex calm before the extraction, so I’m the best option. Plus, he’s never met Ty or Brett. It just makes sense.”

“But what if he—”

“We’ll be in masks,” I cut in. “And Brett’s gonna distract him. You know how much the guy likes to hear the sound of his own voice.”

That earns a small chuckle. “Yeah, I know.”

I wrap my arm around her and press a kiss to the top of her blonde waves. “I’ll be fine darlin’. We’re just going in long enough to pull focus and to get a lay of the land. Once I get Knox’s device on B’s wrist…” I tighten my grip, pulling her flush against my side until our heartbeats sync up. “I’ll be back here holdin’ you like I never left.”