25. Chapter 25
Chapter twenty-five
Galen
The walls closed in on Galen as he felt trapped in an ivory tower, sitting in his wheelchair in front of the fireplace in the penthouse. The glass of bourbon in hand and pain meds did nothing to dull the guilt and sorrow tormenting him. Why did Alex save him? For every sin Galen had committed, he should have let him pay for them with his life. Death was what he deserved for stealing from Alex and unwittingly working with the enemy. He might as well have abducted Danyal himself. If Danyal died, his blood would be on Galen’s hands. Galen and blood were not strangers, as hurting others had been the driving force of his life. No matter where Galen ran, there was no escaping his past. People died, and he was responsible.
Galen was so deep in thought he didn’t see Alex walking down the main hall of the penthouse towards him.
“Can’t sleep, Galen?” Alex said softly. “And should you be drinking? The doctor said no mixing of your medication and alcohol after your surgery.”
“Bugger off,” said Galen, without turning to look at Alex.
“I see your mood hasn’t improved,” said Alex.
Galen took another drink of his bourbon. “Why did ya save me?”
“Usually, people are more grateful when you help save their life,” said Alex.
“Didn’t want it. Ya pulled me back to suffer.”
“OK, Galen. I’m calling Diana. You need professional help,” said Alex, pulling out his phone.
“Why am I here in this penthouse with ya doting over me? Not yur fuckin’ responsibility.”
“You’re here because I want you safe while you recover.”
“Ya don’t know me. It’s ya that needs to be kept safe from me.”
“Is it the alcohol and medication creating this pity party or something else?”
Galen sat silently, staring at the fire, ignoring Alex’s question.
“Galen, look at me,” said Alex.
Galen didn’t respond.
“Fine, if you don’t talk, I’ll do the talking,” Alex said as he walked over to Galen and knelt between his wheelchair and the fire. “Dr. Anderson said there could be mood issues during your recovery. Let’s start by stopping the drinking.” Alex reached for the glass in Galen’s hand.
“Don’t touch me!” yelled Galen, throwing the glass past Alex’s ear towards the fireplace. The glass shattered against the mantle and landed on the floor like falling stars.
“Galen, you’re starting to scare me. I’ve never seen this side of you, and I don’t like it.”
“It’s the real me!” exclaimed Galen as he grabbed Alex’s shirt and pulled him toward him. Galen could smell Alex’s cologne, which was always enticing. He didn’t know if he wanted to hit Alex or kiss him. Maybe both.
“I know you’re not going to hurt me, Galen,” Alex said as he placed his hand on Galen’s, grasping his shirt.
“All mah fault,” said Galen, sobbing with tears running down his face. “I’m a killer!”
“Galen, you’re not making sense.”
“Killed a man with mah bare hands,” Galen said, tears streaming down his face. “Son of a bitch brutally assaulted and raped mah sister, Amara.” He stopped talking and continued to sob uncontrollably. “Found her beaten. Unconscious in the street. He left her in a coma, all because she refused him. Eight years later, and hasn’t opened her eyes since.”
Now Alex knew what he meant when Galen had said he’d lost his sister and grieved for her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know anything other than she was in a care facility back home. I can’t imagine what she went through.”
“Took the light of mah life away. Made him pay. His family was rich, so the police did nothing to find justice. Found him and gave him the same mercy that he gave Amara. He died of severe head injuries. Keep playing it over and over in mah mind and mah dreams. Never stop until I watch the life drain from his eyes.” Galen stopped talking, his face still in his hands.
Alex leaned forward, his forehead touching the crown of Galen’s head.
“Avoided prison ‘cause the All Blacks wanted to avoid scandal. Was mandated to serve in the military for seven years. The minimum sentence for manslaughter. Now I’ve killed again.”
“Killed again?” said Alex, fear in his voice.
“Templeton,” said Galen between sobs.
“Galen, I’m not following you. We know the Sons of Enyaluis killed Templeton.”
“Was mah fault they were there,” said Galen, sobbing even harder as he pushed Alex away from him. “Betrayed ya, Alex…did a horrible thing…ya should hate me.”
“Nothing you’ve done, Galen, could make me hate you.”
Galen blurted out, “Danyal’s gone ‘cause of me!”
“What did you say?” said Alex as he moved backward, tripped, and landed on the floor in the field of broken glass.
“Didn’t mean to do it. Wanted to save Amara.”
“Galen, you aren’t making sense.”
“Ya don’t fuckin’ get it! Stole the ichor and gave it to the Sons of Enyaluis.”
Alex began to breathe rapidly, and the furniture in the room started to vibrate.
“Didn’t do it intentionally. Tricked me into helping them.”
“How?” said Alex between rapid breaths.
“Anonymously contacted me about obtaining the chocolate. Promised they could help Amara with her coma. Wuz my only hope. Thought it was just a piece of chocolate. Didn’t know they were the enemy.”
Alex tried to stand, but fell against the window. His silence deepened Galen’s sorrow. Alex stood and exited to the terrace, going out into the biting cold. Alex had stirred feelings in Galen in the past few weeks that he hadn’t dared experience in years. He’d given up his career and betrayed his friend for the pipe dream of saving his sister.
Galen stood from his chair and stumbled his way to the terrace door. He wanted all the pain to end. Stepping outside, he shuffled towards the balcony. Realizing what he was about to do, Alex tackled him to the cold stone floor covered in snow.
“What the fuck are you doing? Do you want to die?” yelled Alex.
“Let me end the pain,” sobbed Galen.
Alex picked up Galen and brought him back inside to warmth and safety. Alex sat Galen in his wheelchair and knelt in front of him.
The two men stayed in silence, both weeping. Eventually, Alex broke it.
“I’ve two questions for you, Galen. When did you steal the chocolate?”
“Night I came to yur apartment.”
“Are you the spy?”
Galen wiped his tears and shook his head no.
“How can I believe you?”
“Give me yur hand,” said Galen. “Look into mah spark. Will show ya everything.”
“You fooled me before; how can I trust what I see now?”
“Hadn’t decided to betray ya yet. Wasn’t lying.”
Alex hesitated, but extended his shaking hand to Galen, who placed it over his heart.
Galen let everything flow as Alex touched his energy. Amara, his murderous rage, the military, ichor, and the Sons of Enyaluis––he shared it all.
Alex pulled back his hand with tears falling down his face.
“I believe you, Galen. They preyed on your love for your sister and manipulated you. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing to keep Danyal safe. I promise to do everything I can within PGC’s resources to help Amara. It’s only fair I return the favor, but I’m going to make you take your advice. We’re going to ride out these waves until the sea is calm. To start with, we need to get you to bed so you can sleep off the booze. I’m not taking no for an answer,” Alex said as he rolled Galen’s wheelchair down the hallway to his bedroom. “I’ll watch you tonight to keep you safe,” he said, getting onto the bed across from Galen.
Galen felt something like peace for the first time in years and closed his eyes to sleep. Alex across from him on the bed was the last image in his mind as he drifted off.