The Paladins (16 page)

“Can’t or won’t.”

Her tears break free. Each one mirrors a punishing lash across my back. I hide my pain in a shrug. “Believe what you want, but we’re over.”

Raven’s lips part, but she doesn’t speak. She’s backing away. Faster. She turns. Runs. As she flies out the door, she barrels past Dane who’s standing just outside. He calls after her, but gets no response.

Dane angles toward me, hands fisted. His stride is heavy with purpose. “What did you do?”

I don’t even try to block the punch that’s coming. In fact, I hope he hits me with everything he’s got. And he doesn’t let me down.

Red stars explode behind both eyes. My jaw may be lying on the floor somewhere, but I hardly care. Pain radiates down my neck and shoulder as I await his next blow. Disappointment consumes me when it doesn’t come. I want to fight, to black out. Forget who I am, and what I’ve done, if only for a moment, but I don’t.

“What’s up with you, asshole?”

This seems to be a recurring theme today. I palm my jaw where the swelling has already started. Calming my churning insides, I answer with a cool I don’t feel. “Eavesdropping?” I pick up my cane and struggle to my feet. Leaning against the window to my rear, I wait for the throbbing to subside.

“With all that yelling, who could help it? Tell me what the hell is going on.”

“I’m not doing this with you, Dane.”

“I didn’t ask you to dance. I want to know why you’re being an ass.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“You’re hurting Rae.”

His accusation works like a shiv between my ribs. “I know.” The last person on Earth to deserve such treatment is wounded, confused, and angry—because of me. I glance into a corner. There, a tiny moth tries to free himself of the sticky web. As I focus on his struggle, a heavy breath leaks out along with my resolve. “There was a meeting in New York last week. The board took my company.”

Several expressions scroll across Dane’s face as he processes what I’ve said. Not that I give a shit. I don’t need his approval.

“They’ve taken everything.” Admitting the truth out loud is freeing while making me angrier than I’ve ever been. “I let her down,
and
my father,
and
everyone at Maddox Industries. I’m broke, Dane. Does that clear the situation up any?”

He’s quiet for a long while and then says, “I’m sorry, man. I really am. Does she know?”

Words that flowed so freely moments ago stick as my throat clogs with shame. I shake my head.

His eyes light with accusation and then sharpen into understanding. “So, your answer is to end it?”

“She won’t be alone.” Just the thought of her with
him,
and I press my lips to a line.

“Aw, dog.” Dane bumps my arm. “No way, you’re talking about Cole? You are! It’s all over your face.” He laughs without humor. “Nah, man that’s … ”

Cold? Cowardly? He doesn’t use words, but his expression sends the same message.

“Dude, that’s twisted, even for you.” He rubs a finger beneath his nose. “Rae’s not a puppy. You don’t find your girlfriend a new owner because you’re moving or lost your job. I thought you were smarter than this.”

Dane’s intuitive, blunt, and honest. Qualities that make me like him more than I’ll admit. I move my jaw from side to side, wincing as I test its capabilities. “Nice left.”

His smirk is cocky. “I’m aware.”

“Listen, I’m not naive, but Raven’s happiness as a person depends on her art. It’s in her blood. She’s ambitious, worked too hard, and put up with too much shit to have that chance taken away. The girl is worth any sacrifice I can make. Hell, you said yourself, I’m an ass. It probably won’t take her long to figure out she’s better off. Cole’s rich. He knows her history, and he loves her.”

“Are you sure?”

I feel my brow wrinkle. “You’re not?”

Dane takes a quick glance back, thick dreads drifting over his shoulder. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m Maggie’s for life, but I get what’s cool about lil’ Rae.” He rubs his chin. “Especially from Cole’s perspective. She rescued him, right? She’s mysterious in a way that makes guys notice. Cole admires her. That ain’t the same thing as love.”

“He’d do anything for her.”

“Maybe. Look, I’ll admit I didn’t trust you in the beginning, but Rae’s been … better with you. Happier than I’ve ever seen her. You too, right?”

I stare him down. My feelings are obvious enough, and though I’m interested in Dane’s opinion, I’m not spilling my guts for him.

He doesn’t blink. “You’re just going to walk away without a fight?”

Yes, I am. She’s hurt now, but Wynter will pick up the pieces. I promised I’d never leave, and I won’t. She’ll recover, and when she’s ready, we’ll be friends again. “In the end, she’s better off.” As for me, I’m used to being alone. I’ll get used to it again.

“You should tell her about the money, and let Raven decide what’s right for her.”

I lean forward. “No. And you’re not telling her either. You don’t have to understand—”

“Never said I didn’t understand; I just think you’re wrong.”

My muscles relax. “It’s for the best. Trust me, it’s easier this way.”

He frowns, expression dubious, but his hand finds my shoulder and he gives me a squeeze. “Rethink your plan, Maddox. I seriously doubt it’s for the best. And it damn sure isn’t going to be easy. For either of you.”

Cole

As I face the mirror that leads into The Void, two dark blue eyes look back. They have a lot to say, the first of which is: Are you completely mental? Rose must be some special girl to tempt you back to the hellhole you barely escaped.

My reflection is wise enough not to answer.

The snick of the door handle has me whirling around. Gideon was here in his father’s study when I arrived, and after a quick hallo, we’ve ignored each other ever since. He wears his khaki cargo pants and black button down effortlessly. Leaning against a bookcase reading, he looks more like some GQ model on a safari photo shoot than crusader. I think of a first meeting with Rose, and glance down at my faded jeans, black boots, and T-shirt. For a moment, I consider heading upstairs to change before wondering when I became a bloody girl.

I head for the couch and flop onto the downy cushions to wait. It’s nine a.m. when Dane and Maggie walk in together, each holding a ridiculous, American-sized coffee mug. A pang of jealousy hits as they laugh, so easy and comfortable with each other. Still dressed in drawstring flannel, I assume they’ve just rolled out of bed and opted out of our little adventure. Under the silhouette of a semi-automatic gun, Dane’s T-shirt reads:
Southern Men own the Zombie Apocalypse
, while Maggie’s declares:
I’m not fat, I’m poofy
.

All right then.

Dane strolls over to Gideon. My heightened senses make their hushed whispers easy to hear. Not that I’m trying. Okay, I’m trying a little bit. They’re discussing Gideon’s “redefined” relationship with Raven and how he intends to get Rose out of The Void alone.

Over my dead body.

Maggie makes her way over and sinks into the cushion next to me. “Hey.”

“Hello,” I answer, still distracted by the pair near the bookshelves. Dane squeezes Gideon’s shoulder. When did those two get so chummy? “What’s happening over there?”

“Hm?” She glances over her shoulder, expression darkening. “Oh. Gideon’s leaving us some instructions for Jamis and Jenny while he’s away.”

I guess that confirms they aren’t coming.

“ … and for Raven. He’s hoping you’ll help us look after her, Cole.” Maggie’s head tilts. Her questioning gaze roams my face, but I’m not hiding anything.

“Always, but I won’t stay behind.” My muscles tense, answering questions she hasn’t asked. “I’m over the moon Rae’s not going. She has you, and Dane, and I know she’ll be okay. Rose has no one, nothing but a small hope that I might come for her. I can’t let her down.”

A smile threatens. “Raven felt that way about you, you know.”

“I know. That’s why she’ll understand.” I nod toward Gideon. “He’s the one that should stay. Tosser. First, I can’t even look at her he’s so jealous, and now? He’s already bored, moving on to the next conquest.” Typical Maddox asshattery. “She’s better off without him. And maybe one day … ”

“Maybe what?”

I don’t know what holds me back. Raven was everything.
Is
. Is everything I ever wanted, yet I can’t quite say so. She’s had enough loss and hardship to last two lifetimes, and Maddox just dumped her. If I promise to come back and then don’t … No. I won’t do that to her. “It isn’t fair.”

“What isn’t fair?”

Did I say that out loud? I need to relax. Thankfully, Raven walks through the door and saves me from talking more rubbish.

She spies Gideon and Dane in the corner. Their heads bend toward each other conspiratorially.

While she’s distracted, I watch her. I can’t help myself. Black combat boots, gray camo pants, and tank so tight its likely illegal in seven states. A black satchel dangles from one shoulder. Her long, dark braid casually hangs over the other, Laura Croft style. Everything about her screams defiant badass.

My gaze slips to Maddox for his reaction. She doesn’t resemble the jilted little woman
or
one likely to stay behind.

Raven strolls to the sofa. “You’ve got that look.”

Maggie’s eyes dart around their sockets like pinballs. “No I don’t. What look? There’s no look.”

She smiles. “It’s going to be fine.”

“Of course it is. Who said it wouldn’t? I’ll take care of everything. Edgar will be fine, spoiled rotten. I’ll handle the explanations with my parents. You’ll be back in time to start school in the fall … ” She bites her lip, eyes shiny and full.

“Oh, Mags, don’t.” Raven drops to her knees. Taking Maggie’s hands in her own, she pulls her friend close. “We agreed on a plan last night, remember?”

Maggie glances up as Dane nears. “Maybe we should go with them. What if something happens and they need us? I think we should go.” She snorts, sucking whatever’s clogging her nose back into her sinus cavity. A noise to make any Viking proud. Or nauseated.

“Oh, no you don’t. I need you and Dane to manage things here, for peace of mind. Besides,” Rae smiles, slinging her braid over her shoulder, “you lack the necessary superpowers to take this joker out.”

Oh hell yeah!

Maggie’s eyebrows spring up. “Who said anything about taking anybody out? Don’t mess around. Get Rose and come home. That’s enough.”

“We’re going to be epic. You had a feeling in your gut about this trip, so listen to yourself and wish me luck.”

“No one is wishing you anything, because you’re not going.” Gideon towers over her bent form. His stance looks about as pliable as granite.

Raven is dangerously slow to rise. When she does, she allows the full force of her anger to shine from her face. I feel every volt of her one hundred watt I-don’t-give-a-shit-what-you-say-I’m-going glare.

Gideon’s Adam’s apple bobs with his swallow.

Message received.

I fight a smile. While I don’t enjoy seeing Raven nurse a broken heart, observing the great Gideon Maddox reduced to jelly by a mere mortal is extremely satisfying.

“Last night, you clarified we aren’t together anymore,” Raven says. “That choice removes you from influencing me. Understand?” She bends, retrieving her leather bag from the floor, then faces me. “Ready, handsome?”

I grin.
Oh yeah.

“Raven … ” Gideon’s tone is soft despite the warning in it.

She ignores him. “Hugs?” Throwing her arms around Maggie, black hair mixes with blond. Tiny sniffles are followed by whispers that turn into uncontrollable giggling. “And find Mr. Mouse. You know Edgar can’t sleep without his mouse.”

Maggie’s laugh ends in a sob. “It’s wrong to keep that animal hopped up on catnip all the time.”

“I know.” Raven gives her a last hug. “But listen, if I don’t—”

“Nope. You’ll come back. You’ll go to college, and movie stars will wear your clothes on red carpets.”

“I’ll be back before you have time to miss me.”

Maggie mumbles, “Damn straight you will,” but Raven’s already extracting her arms and moving on to Dane.

Gideon paces in the background. I’m confused because he could try a lot harder to stop her … unless he really wants her along. But then why the big show?

“Take care of our Mags?”

“Always.” Dane lowers his head. “
You
find this Rosamond chick and git to home, hear?”

“Yes, sir.” She runs a hand down his arm and squeezes before letting go. Once her back is turned, Dane’s expression goes feral. I’ve seen it before, a mask to hide other emotions. Still, he’s a force to be reckoned with, and I wish he was coming.

Rae adjusts the strap on her pack. “Let’s go, Wynter.”

We move to the gleaming sheet of silver hiding a portal to the world I loathe. I raise my hand, fingertips gliding across the smooth surface, but feel nothing unexpected. “How does it work?”

“Is there anything I can say to convince you to stay?” Gideon asks.

Raven finds his eyes in the glass, her determination palpable.

His lips twitch. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he found something funny. “My father said to look
through
the mirror, beyond the obvious reflection to what’s on the other side.”