An unsatisfying end, but I realize that sometimes it’s okay to let more important things come first.
More important people.
I tuck my gun back away and pull out a smoke. My eyes are on Paulie’s limp body as it faintly sways back and forth.
“So… that’s it, then?” Torrin asks, and it feels both redundant and loaded at the same time.
Rove is already moving in to handle the cleanup. He hands me my knife and brass knuckles, already clean, and I send him a jerk of my chin as I tuck them away. I blindly watch himgracefully pull down Paulie’s body as I light up and take a deep inhale.
“That’s it,” I say with a nod. I turn and head for the stairs. “We need to talk.”
“Don’t do it,” Torrin warns in a teasing tone as he jogs up the stairs behind me.
I step outside and instantly lock eyes with Astra. She’s leaning against my car, looking relaxed, but her eyes reveal her anxiousness. She watches me but doesn’t make a move to come closer. It’s insane how easily she can read me. Maybe it’s the magic, or maybe it’s just that I’m obvious how much I need a minute to talk to Torrin. Whatever it is, I have to admit that I like the way she listens to it. She gives me the space I clearly need.
“I need you to take over if anything should happen,” I tell Torrin, turning my gaze on him so he can see how hard this is for me to get out. The severity of it heavy in the air between us.
“Donovan,” he says softly. I fucking hate it, but this has to be done.
“I’m fucking serious, Torrin,” I say as I pin him with a strong look. “If what Sandra said is real, then we can’t let Aubert have the power. There has to be someone keeping him in check. This city deserves more, don’t you think? We’ve looked after her this long, even in death, I can’t let her go uncared for.”
He rolls his eyes at me.
“You always did care too much. Just like your dad. Your need for balance is very strange, you know? You want to exploit the city for your own gain, but you also have this need to look out for everyone, too.”
I grunt, then sneer.
“I don’t hurt innocent people. That doesn’t make me a fucking saint, so don’t start talking like I am one.”
He has the nerve to laugh at me.
“You’re going to be fine,” he says as if those words alone will fix this mess of a fucking situation. “You’re Donovan Falco. Nothing can kill you.”
“Torrin, you’ve been by my side every step of the way. No one is better suited.”
He takes in a deep breath.
I stare at him, seeing the way his smile fades and his eyes become distant.
The realization is starting to sink in, and I guess I hadn’t thought about what would happenafter. I hadn’t thought about how my lifelong friend would feel. The void my death might leave in his life. Which… is a fucking strange feeling to have wash over me. If anything, I figured my infamous deeds would be the legacy I left behind, so I’m not really sure what to do with someone being sad over the thought of losingme.
“I’ll always have your back,” he tells me, slapping me on said back as we turn to face the waiting crowd of three. “Not even death can break that vow.”
“I’m not saying thanks,” I tell him as we make our way to the others.
“And I won’t acknowledge how I heard it in your tone,” he says with a laugh.
The fucker has me there.
His laughter is the thing I need most after the heavy shit we just talked about.
TWENTY-SIX
Donovan
I can’t fucking sleep, which isn’t all that much of a surprise.
I’m out on the gallery, hidden in the shadows of the night like a fucking villain. Maybe stalker is more like it since my eyes are currently fixed on a sleeping Astra in my bed. Add creep to the mix because I’m out here fucking naked without a care.
