Chapter Thirty-Three
Then…
The plan is set. And dare I say, this might actually work out.
Knock on wood.
Apparently, it’s easy to get exactly what you want when you’re Tauren Vance.
That’s that Silicon Valley money right there.
Tomorrow afternoon, the five of us are flying to New York by private jet, after which a helicopter—piloted by one of Tauren’s many connections—will bring Ren and me to Alabaster Isle.
Cy and Col wanted to come along, but naturally, Tauren shut that shit down real quick. That’s one order from Daddy that Ren and I will firmly endorse.
We have no idea what we’re walking into—or flying into—with this highly dangerous journey. It was stressed, heavily, to Tauren that his helicopter buddy may very well be putting himself in the line of fire just bringing us there. However, he assured us that the dude is more than qualified.
I guess he was Combat Search and Rescue for the Air Force?
I mean, shit, that’s infinitely more experience than either Ren or I have, and we’re rolling up on this island like if TMZ went to Baghdad for some reason.
Look, I’m just trying to mentally prepare myself for the worst possible outcome. In truth, we don’t have the slightest clue what the situation is on the Isle. For all we know, Trevel could’ve been talking out of his ass.
I have to assume he was being at least partially honest, since he had Joy’s phone, and we haven’t been able to reach anyone else in weeks. I tracked down numbers for Velle, Rook, Peters, and Lucas—of all people—and not a one of them has answered. In fact, every last number is no longer in service.
That disparaging fact, along with the knowledge that the prison walls were down, Manuel Blanco being cartel connected, and the sky-high tensions between him and Velle just before everything fell apart—literally—is making it hard to be optimistic.
But for their sake… For Velle, Rook, and Joy, for Felix and Lem, Jasper and Hancock, Peters and Carson…
For every body on that island who’s never deserved to be trapped, isolated, beaten and starved, or denied due process in the United fucking States of America…
For all of us prisoners, I’ll hold out hope.
And most importantly, no matter what happens, I will do whatever it takes to protect my fiancé during this excursion. At any cost.
Colson, Cyrus, and Tauren are packing for their impromptu vacation to the Big Apple while Ren and I take Tauren’s Benz out for a drive.
There’s one last thing I have to do before we leave California…
“Welp…” Ren shifts the car into park with a sigh. “Here we are.”
I gulp down a rough mouthful of nerves. “Uh-huh…”
He unbuckles and turns to face me in his seat. “Nervous?”
My eyes shift, meeting vibrant blue. He smirks.
“What if they… What if this is a… bad idea?” I stammer. “I just mean, like, what if they don’t… want…”
“Lexington,” he hums, taking my chin between his fingers. “You’re too smart to be doubting this. Calculate the odds, beautiful boy.”
I have to chuckle, then pout, because he’s just the most perfectly imperfect thing ever made.
My calming rush.
“I love you, firestarter.” I lean in to kiss him softly, and he runs his finger up the tattoo on my side.
The one he gave me, in Alabaster Pen. The permanent mark he put on my skin, though he’d long since been etched on my insides.
“Ones and zeros, baby.” He winks.
I grin, kissing him once more to absorb his strength. “You light my fire.”
He frowns. “Hmm, that makes it sound like I gave you an STD.”
I laugh. “Setting hearts, and panties…”
“And buildings…”
“…on fire.” I chuckle onto his mouth. “Warren Xavier, you are the arsonist of my heart.”
“Lord, help me,” he grumbles. “Please don’t say any of that in front of your parents.”
The nerves are still there, but now they’re being joined by shivers of excitement. Because I’ve never not once brought a boy—or an anyone, for that matter—home to meet my parents.
Before I got arrested, I wasn’t sure I ever would… I didn’t think a relationship was meant for me. Then afterward… Shit, I never thought I’d even see my parents again, let alone get to introduce them to the hot, crazy dude I’m dating.
But here we are. Outside of the house where I grew up… Walking up the walkway where I used to do math in chalk while my dad worked on his cars… about to scare the ever-loving shit out of them.
Me, the son they thought was dead. And his arsonist boyfriend.
Sorry—fiancé.
Holy motherfuck, this is real.
We’re real. It doesn’t get more real than introducing him to your parents, right??
The house looks exactly the same as the last time I saw it, more than five years ago—minus the SUV’s on the lawn, of course. It’s tripping me out. I have to stop and take a breath, because this is crazy.
So much about me has changed, and yet it feels like no time has passed as I blink slowly, squeezing Ren’s hand to death. But he doesn’t complain, or rush me.
He just leans into my side and whispers, “Your dad’s hot.”
A snort bursts out while I glower at him, all nerves fading into a deep appreciation and an even deeper, unhinged sense of love.
Scoffing and shaking my head, I ring the doorbell. It’s impossible to be uncomfortable around him, I swear to God. He’s such a clown.
But like, a hot one.
I’m so busy swooning over the ridiculous man I’m going to marry someday, I barely notice the door swinging open. Until I’m face to face with my father, for the first time in over five years.
Time slows way down, and for seconds that feel like minutes, we just stare at one another. At first, I think maybe he doesn’t recognize me. I made sure to buzz my head for this exact reason…
I also didn’t want to freak anyone on the island out. Or deal with the endless shit they’d give me over showing up with hair.
Obviously my dad recognizes me. He just looks like he’s seen a ghost, which is understandable. Since… ya know.
“H-hi, Dad…” I stutter, shaking in the Vans I borrowed from Cyrus. “I’m, um… I m-missed you…”
“Jesus fucking Christ…” My father gasps, forehead lined, tears immediately welling in his eyes.
All I hear is Ren’s cute little chuckle as my dad lunges. He grabs me, pulling me into his arms and into the house, hugging me so hard I fear my ribs might snap. Like he’s still not sure I’m real, even though he’s holding onto me.
But I’m savoring it. The feel of my father’s arms around me, when I didn’t think I’d ever feel it again. He feels the same, and smells the same, and I’m just… falling apart.
Crumbling into him while he holds me together.
“Marla!” He shouts, and I choke out a wet sob of a laugh. “Jesus… Holy fuck, is this real??”
He finally releases me, just enough to hold me at arm’s length and look me over.
“You started cursing more, huh?” I sniffle, wiping my nose on my sleeve.
“Lexington, oh my God…” he cries softly. “It’s really you.”
I nod and chuckle with tears tumbling down my cheeks.
I can see the moment it finally sets in that there’s another human standing next to us, smiling and wiggling in eager swoon. My dad’s eyes shift between me and Ren. He blinks and his head tilts, lips parting.
But then something crashes and someone screams.
That would be my mother. She just dropped a bowl.
“Mom.” I go to her, because she’s frozen in obvious shock.
More hugging, and crying, a bit more hysterical this time.
It takes minutes on end to calm my mother down—again, understandably. To be fair, we’re all losing our shit a little. But once we compose ourselves, my dad grabs a broom to sweep up the glass and salad from the foyer while we all stand around, gawking at one another.
“I’m hallucinating,” Mom says, though she’s smiling, wider than I remember seeing on her, ever. And she won’t stop touching me; running her fingers along my cheek and my shoulders. “There’s no possible way this is real… I know I did a lot of drugs back in the day, but still…”
Ren snorts, and I huff, shaking my head.
“Mom… jeez,” I grumble admonishingly.
“Sorry,” she sighs while my dad chuckles. Her eyes finally leave me, springing to Ren. “I have so many questions, but I guess the first one is… who’s this?”
My face is red in an instant. I feel it happening, the way the flush rises before I can even think of responding.
Swallowing down the awkwardness of never having done this before, and never having expected to do it, I clear my throat.
“This is… Warren Xavier,” I croak, lashes fluttering at him. He’s just standing there, patiently waiting for me to spit it out. “He’s my, um… We’re… uh…”
My mom and dad exchange a look in between staring at me, also eagerly anticipating.
“So… here’s the thing…” I shift in place.
“Take your time, babe.” Ren smirks. “It’s not a race.”
“Ugh.” I roll my eyes. “This is my fiancé. We’re getting married…” I sneer at him, to which he beams. “A decision I tend to regret every time he opens his mouth.”
Ren’s eyes widen, and he presses his lips together. I can tell he’s struggling not to voice one of his standard perverted comebacks, being that he’s trying to make a good impression and all. It’s adorable, and it eases my nerves greatly while I smirk wickedly at him.
Guess we found a way to shut you up, huh, you beautiful pest?
“Oh my God!” My mother squeals, startling me. Her hands are clasped over her chest, and she’s actually bouncing. “Lexington!”
“Son, that’s fantastic,” my dad chuckles.
He looks so happy for me… They both do.
Honestly, I’m not sure what I expected, but on some level, I knew they’d never be angry or devastated or anything. They’re not those kinds of people at all.
They crowd around me and Ren, pulling us into a group hug that has me chuckling and shaking my head in humility. But only because my parents are embarrassing as hell, and I never thought I’d actually miss it, but I definitely did. My heart is bustling.
“I can’t believe it…” Mom sniffles. “You’re here, alive, and engaged.” They pull back, smiling wide. Mom wipes a tear from my cheek. “I never gave up hope, baby. I knew you were alive, I just knew it.”