Chapter Six #2
It is weird to go from home renovations and babying your dog to an active war zone in less than twenty-four hours. Adrenaline’s a hell of a drug. And again, watching it unfold before your eyes is a great way to switch your brain from loving fiancé to soldier mode in seconds flat.
Despite what was once the East Wing now being a disastrous wreck, I’m itching to get over there and catch up with the team. Let them know that I’m back, and I want to help.
I might be harboring some guilt at the moment… For leaving them high and dry the way I did. Especially now that things are falling apart.
In summation, I feel like an asshole, and I’m kinda desperate to make it up to them.
Felix says it’s not safe this close to the East, despite our guys covering the crash site. He leads us inside the armory, grabbing something that looks like a laser pointer. He goes back outside for only about a minute, then comes back in.
“We have a signal,” he explains. “It’s morse code for S.O.S. When they see it, they come.”
“Why not just use the walkie?” Dash asks.
“I can’t risk it,” he says. “If the Warden overhears and finds out where I am, I’m toast. I know he’ll use me as leverage against Lem, and I refuse to let that happen.”
Dash wraps his arm around Felix’s waist, hugging him into his side. “We’ll get to him soon. I promise.”
“I know he can handle it,” Felix fights off the tremor in his voice. “He’s the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“Duh,” Dash says with a soft grin. “He’s dating a serial killer.”
Felix snorts. I crack a smile.
Nicely done, babe.
Less than ten minutes later, someone whistles from outside and Felix rushes to open the door. In stalks Peters and Jasper, and it’s so good to see them, I have to hug onto them extra tight. But something is obviously up. The mood in here isn’t screaming happy reunion.
“Joy and Rook are on their way,” Peters tells us.
Felix nods as a visibly distraught and edgy Jasper rushes him.
“Have you seen him at all??” Jasper asks The Carver, intensity in his every feature.
“Not since that first day…” Felix can’t hide his remorse and despondence.
Jasper sighs, covering his face with his hands. Then he turns and smacks his palm against the wall in a sudden shift to rage.
“What’s going on?” I ask Peters nervously.
“The Ivory has Hancock,” he tells me, watching our friend spin out. “There was a shootout the other day and Hancock was hit… They took him.”
“He got shot??” Dash looks to me, eyes all wide and shiny.
“Yea. It’s bad,” Peters grumbles.
The poor guy looks exhausted. Dirty, tired, stressed as all fuck. I feel awful.
“And he’s not the only one…” Peters adds, his tone sharing some of the same rage I see in Jasper, though Peters has always been more reserved.
He’s like me that way. Maybe that’s why we’ve gotten along well. He’s stoic, buttoned up on the outside. He doesn’t let people in so easily, and I can relate to that.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
It takes him a moment before he finally mutters, “The control room guys are being held hostage by the Warden’s guys.
Denton, Mark… Alex.” He almost chokes out the name, clearing his throat.
“Carson. Um… We haven’t talked to him—them in days.
I have no idea if they’re even…” His words fade off, and he sniffs, rubbing his eyes.
Jesus…
I squeeze his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, man. That’s fucked.”
“I’m sure they’re okay,” Dash tries a shot at optimism, but it’s not really working.
These guys are going through it, and it really sucks to witness. Jasper and Hancock have had this palpable tension for as long as I can remember, but there were a lot of layers to it. Joy told me they finally hooked up last year—in front of everyone, apparently. Typical Ivory Mansion mayhem.
But apparently, it stuck because Jasper is freaking out the way I would be if something happened to Dash, and I’m seeing the same thing on Peters. I’d also heard he and Alex Carson from the control room started hooking up. I didn’t know it was serious… But then, I’ve been gone a while.
A lot can happen here in a few months.
“Lem is over there too,” Felix tries consoling Jasper. “I’m scared shitless.”
This gets Jasper to stop pacing. He looks up, chest heaving. As if maybe these words are getting through to him; the fact that The Carver is scared too.
“Lem betrayed The Ivory by siding with Velle,” Felix murmurs in between chewing on his bottom lip. “I’m sure he’s not… taking that lightly.”
Dash is dripping with empathy so thick, I can feel it. He pulls me off to the side and whispers, “We have to do something…”
“Like what?” I ask, watching my friends.
“I think we’re gonna have to go to the mansion,” he says softly. “I have to…”
“Why you??”
“I mean, if we’re talking about leverage…” His voice trails, and I shake my head.
“No. Baby, no fucking way.” I’m stiff as he pouts at me. “I won’t have you turning yourself over to The Ivory as bait.”
“Not bait,” he grumbles. “A distraction.”
“What do you think bait is??”
Our argument is cut off at the sound of another whistle. Peters goes for the door this time, and when he opens it, I feel relief hit me like a wave.
Joy. Joy’s here.
Somehow everything feels okay again. Or at least significantly better. I just missed seeing her face so damn much. More than I think I even knew until right now.
Joy strides inside, patting Peters on the back. “Rook’s right behind me, so Velle needs you on point.”
Peters nods, turning to me. “Good to have you back, brother.”
I sense that he wants to smile at me, but it doesn’t work. Nodding in response, I watch him go, holding my breath.
Fuck, just let him be okay.
I need them all to be okay.
We need to fix this.
The obsessing is shoved aside when Joy jumps on me. Literally leaps into my arms, clinging to my body, laughing and shaking while I hold on to her with all my strength.
“What the fuck, Kel…” She whimpers. The mere fact that she’s breaking down is threatening to unravel me.
She’s such a stone; probably more than all of us combined.
I can only imagine what she’s been through since I left.
“I’m here, Joyful,” I murmur into the waterfall of her silky ponytail. It still somehow smells incredible. “I’m back.” She nods, hiding her face in my neck, I think so that no one sees her getting emotional. “I came back for you, okay? I’m so fucking sorry I left you guys…”
That gets her to pull back, her brown eyes locking on mine. “What? No way, bitch.” I laugh. “Don’t say you’re sorry, because you’re not. It’s fine. We get why you left—”
“Fuck that,” I argue. “Leaving wasn’t the right move, for anyone. Not me, not you…” My eyes fling to Dash. “Not him.”
“He made it too,” she says with surety. “I’ve gotta give him credit. He’s a lot stronger than I thought when I met him.”
“Um, I’m right here.” Dash smiles at Joy as I put her down. “God, why are you so obsessed with me??”
She cackles, hugging him tight. “Oh, 101… How come you can escape, but I can’t escape you?”
He laughs out loud. “Is that our sappy romance line? Like, ‘I can’t quit you,’?”
“I like it,” she chuckles, then drawls, “I can’t escape you!”
“You don’t want to.” He beams.
“I’m honestly so glad you guys are here,” she sighs. “I mean, I hate it for you, but love it for us. We need all the help we can get.”
Dash is practically vibrating. I know he wants to ask her a million questions about where his friends are, and if they’re safe. But my phone ringing interrupts it all.
Dash frowns. “I thought you powered it off?”
“I figured there was no cell service…” I grumble, pulling it out of my pocket. My eyes widen. “Oh, shit…”
“What??” Joy asks.
I hold up the screen to display her name. “It’s you.”
She gapes for a split second. “Answer it!”
I swipe quickly to answer the call, placing it on speaker. “Hello?”
“Hi, uh… Is this Kellan Kemper?”
The deep male voice is unfamiliar to me. But Joy’s face drops, then flings to Felix, who’s darting over to us, damn near tripping over his feet.
“Yes, it—”
“Baby?!” Felix shouts. I can see him shaking. “Baby, oh my God, is that you??”
“Felix?? Oh, thank fuck…”
“Lemuel, how the hell do you have my phone?” Joy squeaks.
Dash and I balk at each other.
This must be Felix’s boyfriend… Dr. Lemuel Love.
“Long story,” he grumbles, barely audible. “I can’t really talk, but I’m so glad to get you all. I was trying Kellan Kemper in hopes he could somehow get in touch with Velle. I really didn’t expect you to… already be together.”
“Perfect fucking timing.” Joy shows Felix a small smile while he cries happy tears.
“Is… is Felix okay?” Lemuel asks, and I swear, it’s the most heartwarming thing ever.
From what I understand, he’s another robotic personality on this island. But right now, he sounds beside himself.
“I’m fine, Dr. Want,” Felix sniffles.
“Of course you are, Need.” I don’t know the guy, but I can hear the smile in his voice.
Dash is practically melting, hugging Felix, shaking him around while he blushes and chuckles. It’s wild to witness, because… Isn’t he still racking up an actual body count??
“Where are you?” Joy asks, getting back down to business because time is of the essence.
“In the basement of the mansion,” Dr. Love replies.
“The tombs.” Joy rubs her eyes.
“The very same. I’m alright for now, but there’s a lot of movement…”
I nod at Joy. “You know that gate at the back? It’s a tunnel that leads to the dungeon.”
“There’s a lock on the outside,” Dr. Love adds.
“We could cut it.” I shrug.
“That area is swarming with cartel roaches,” she says, deep in thought.
“I’ll distract them,” Felix jumps in.
But Dr. Love barks, “No way. Absolutely not.”
“Lem, I’ve been trying to find a way to get you out and this is it. If I have to turn myself over to The Ivory, then so be it.”
“No—”
“He won’t kill me,” Felix argues.
Joy makes a face as if he has a point.
“That’s not what I’m worried about…” Love growls.
“We’ll go,” Dash says. “Hi, Lemuel. I’m Dascha, Felix’s best friend. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Felix beams at that. “Anyway, my fiancé and I will come with Joy and get you out.”
“I don’t exactly think you going is any better than me going.” Felix frowns at Dash.
“Maybe not. But we have to try.” He shrugs, never one to run from the dangerous. Clearly.
Joy nods. “Rook should be here any minute. He can help.” She looks to Felix. “Cover us. We’ll get your boy.”
Felix’s worry melts into appreciation. “Thank you.”
“Alright. Hang tight, Doc,” Joy says. “We’re coming for you. The service has been spotty, so just meet us by the exit of the tombs in twenty minutes.”
“Ten-four,” he says. “And Officer? Thank you. Keep my patient safe.”
“Please,” she scoffs. “He’s been saving our asses for weeks now.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
We hang up with Lemuel nervous, but determined. This plan worries me for a lot of reasons, but none more than knowing that myself and Dascha being so close to The Ivory is like temping a shark with two baby seal pups, alive and kickin’.
Getting ready to head out, we’re coming up with a plan while we wait for Rook, when Jasper stalks over. “I’m coming with.”
Joy shakes her head. “Not this time.”
“Fuck off,” he snaps. “Try and stop me. I’m going over there and I’m getting him back. And then I’m gonna shoot that prick in the fucking face for hurting him.”
“And that’s exactly why you’re not coming,” she grumbles.
“You’re too hot. You’re gonna get us all killed.
” Jasper is raging, so she grabs his face.
“Jacob, look at me. I want him back too. Trust me, I do. And we’ll get him.
But I need you level-headed. Not to mention, Velle needs you on lookout.
If Felix is with us, we won’t have eyes on the west.”
“You really expect me to stand around with binoculars?” He hisses, then gulps. “Joy, he’s injured…”
“Yea, but he’s one of us, which means he’s tough, and he can take it,” she says. “We need to be smart here. If we tip The Ivory off in any way, it could get a lot worse.”
Jasper doesn’t look happy in the slightest. In fact, he looks miserable. But he concedes with a nod.
Joy smacks him gently on the cheek. “We’ll get him, and we’ll fucking win. Go tell them the plan. Watch for a signal to meet us here.” Jasper nods again, striding to the door. “And if you see Rook, tell him to hurry his ass up!”
Jasper is barely two steps outside when he mutters, “Uh… Joy…”
We turn as a man I’ve never seen before walks in with Rook…
Holding a gun to his head.
“Stay calm,” the man says. He has a distinct accent… “Nobody needs to get hurt. I am just looking for my son.”
Dash whips around. His face pales.
The man lowers his weapon. The lines of tension in his face smooth out as he stares at my fiancé. “Dascha…”
“What the fuck…” I breathe, my pulse almost knocking me down.
We’re all staring between the man and Dash as Dash finally blinks.
And whispers, “Hi, Dad.”