I thought about what he said, tossing the words around in my head. “I get what you’re saying. And I guess that’s why I choose to stay out of it. Not that I’m worried I’d look at you differently, because I wouldn’t. I see all the parts of you and I love them, no matter how dark. But I think I’m worried if I embrace too much of my own darkness, not only would I not recognize the person I’d become, but you guys wouldn’t accept her either. I guess, in a way, we have the same fear.”
“I want to be contrary and say the same thing you said to me. No matter how much you change, I won’t feel differently. I accept you as you are. And I hope that we grow and change together.”
“Who knew you could have such deep conversations while waiting for a madman to decide how he wants to die?” I joked, pulling his hand up to kiss.
We fell into silence as we waited for the timer to go off. Darren was stewing by this point, and I had no idea what he would choose in the end. He was stubborn, and a loose cannon, making his actions impulsive and impossible to predict. Cami walked over with Malek, a firm look in place, as she waited next to us. When the timer beeped, Sax spun on his heels, holding up the phone.
“Time’s up. Decision time. Will you take it, or will you choose to die a horribly painful death?”
Darren kept quiet and Sax sighed, shaking his head. “Okay, your choice man.”
“Camila?” Atticus asked, looking over at him.
“It’s enough for me to watch him die. I don’t need to be the one to do it. I’ve realized that having that on my conscience would be worse, and I don’t want to give him anything else.” Her voice was steady, and I noticed her shoulders were pushed back, her decision solidifying something in her.
As I watched her, I didn’t miss how Malek reached down and grabbed her hand, squeezing it quickly before letting it go. I was so curious about that dynamic, but it seemed to be complicated at the moment. I needed to get her alone so I could talk to her more freely instead of in a spa with a lot of other people in range, including her fiancé.
“I’m proud of you, Cami,” I said, beaming at my friend. “You’re so strong.”
She smiled over at me, nodding her thanks, and I watched as something else in her seemed to repair itself right in front of me. The warm glow I often felt in sessions spread through me, and I knew I was where I was meant to be. This confirmed it.
Atticus nodded at Pixel, who walked over with a syringe. “This will hurt,” she said, smiling. “I call this one ‘Dumbass.’”
She took the big needle, lifting his tongue as Sax held his head firm. I watched in a weird curiosity as she emptied the contents under it. Darren tried to move his head, but Sax held him down, allowing Pixel to release it all without a problem.
“How long?” Atticus asked.
“First signs will begin soon, but it will take over ten hours before it kills him. It’s going to be excruciating.”
At the mention of death, I knew I didn’t need to be there for it anymore. Walking over, I pulled Cami into a hug, holding her to me closely. “We need to sit down and chat soon. Promise me that you’ll call.”
She nodded, clinging to me for a second. “I promise. Thank you, Lor.”
Kissing her cheek, I stepped away before I walked over and kissed Atticus and Sax goodbye. Nicco waited for me by the door, holding out a hand. Together, we walked out, and I leaned my head against him, everything catching up to me.
From the threat of Dayton ruining the opening, to Jude’s brother's death, there had been a lot going on. Tomorrow there was a memorial service for Cameron, and I was worried about it triggering my grief again.
I needed to face it before it ate me alive. It was time.
Maybe it would be a good opportunity to reach out to Marcus and finally have that chat about my father.
* * *
Tearsslid down my face as Jude spoke of the love he had for his brother, and how he was glad he got to know the version he was in the end. Topher had told us how Cameron had been working so hard at the center, and it had to be the fact he was working late that night that made him vulnerable to attack with everyone else gone. Dayton was grasping at straws, or perhaps repaying a debt he felt Cameron owed him. It was hard to know with Dayton.
We knew it was Dayton because the same insignia we’d found on the SUV for the Masked Kingpin had been carved into his chest. He wasn’t trying to hide that he was responsible. Dayton wanted us to know.
The fact he hadn’t tried anything the night of the opening either meant we’d done enough to halt him or he’d been stopped on the inside. I knew Atticus wanted to go and talk to him. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but it was his father, so it was ultimately his decision. I’d be there after it to help him put the pieces together if Dayton tried to destroy our foundation.
Because he could try, but he wouldn’t succeed. We would stand. United.
Jude walked over, and I pulled him into a hug, letting him cry for the loss of his brother. I knew it would hurt, but we’d be there for him. He had a family now and wouldn’t be alone ever again.
“You sure you want to come to this lunch with me?” I asked when he drew back, wiping his face.
“Yeah, I think it will be good for you and I’m curious. Plus, I think it will help me not think of today too much. In a lot of ways, I lost my brother a long time ago. I just hate that the moment I started to get him back was when he was taken again.”
“If you’re sure, then I’d love the company.”