18. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter eighteen
T he flickering bulbs cast shadows on the concrete walls, amplifying the unease that hangs thick in the air. We're gathered in our warehouse, another usual meeting spot away from the compound, but this time Dimitri and his crew are here too. I scan their faces, looking for any sign of deception.
Can we really trust these guys who just showed up out of nowhere? I find myself going back and forth, the constant push and pull of 'we need to and we have no other choice' warring with 'what if this is the worst decision we've ever made?'
"I don't like this," Brick growls, folding his muscular arms across his chest. "How do we know they aren't spies for Tane?" He’s trying to be quiet, but his voice is so deep and resonant the whole room can’t help but overhear him.
Dimitri steps forward, unflinching under Brick's glare. "We're here for the same reason you are—to take Tane down." His voice is steady, but I sense the anger simmering beneath the surface. "He's taken as much from us as he has from you."
I study Dimitri, searching for any hint of dishonesty, but find none. Beside me, Angel places a comforting hand on my arm. "They're risking as much as we are by being here," she says softly. "We have to give them a chance."
I know she's right. If we're divided, Tane wins. I take a deep breath and make my decision. "You'll get your shot to prove yourselves. But betray us, and you won't live long enough to regret it."
Dimitri inclines his head in acknowledgement. His crew fans out, mingling cautiously with my own. There's still tension in the air, but with a common purpose, we just might have a chance. I feel a flicker of hope at this . Together, we can take Tane down.
Brick's eyes narrow as he sizes up Dimitri, looking for any sign of deception. When Dimitri meets his gaze unflinchingly, Brick steps even closer, using his hulking frame to intimidate.
"Pretty words," he sneers. "But they don't mean shit." He pokes a meaty finger into Dimitri's chest. "You think you can just waltz in here with your outsider crew and we'll just trust you?"
Around us, the atmosphere turns volatile, the rest of my crew murmuring at the disrespect shown to our tentative allies. The newcomers bristle, their hands drifting toward concealed weapons.
Before it can escalate further, I step between them. "Back off, Brick," I warn. “Some of us wouldn’t be here if these guys hadn’t helped us over on the other island. That has to count for something.” He hesitates, then takes a reluctant step back.
Turning to Dimitri, I say more calmly, "You'll have to earn our trust. But threatening and posturing gets us nowhere." I sweep my gaze around the tense gathering, my eyes coming to rest on Brick. "We have enough enemies out there. Fighting amongst ourselves only helps Tane."
Brick scowls, but doesn't argue. The others relax fractionally. There's still an undercurrent of suspicion, but the potential for violence has passed. For now.
"Let's focus on the mission," I continue firmly. "We need to be smart and work together if we're going to succeed." I make eye contact with Dimitri and Brick in turn, willing them to set aside their differences. At last, Brick gives a curt nod. The alliance is uneasy, but holds. For now.
I take a deep breath as the tension in the room slowly dissipates. We've stepped back from the brink, but distrust still simmers under the surface. It’s scary, trusting a group of people you barely know, and essentially giving them the power to use your information against you, to fuck up everything you’ve worked so very hard to build.
I can’t blame Brick for his over-the-top response, because the same feelings are simmering just under the surface of my calm exterior.
Dimitri meets my eyes, a glint of gratitude in his gaze. I gave him a chance to make his case, despite Brick's hostility. Now it's on him to convince us that his intentions are true.
"I know you have limited reason to trust us," he begins, his voice low and earnest. "But Tane took everything from me too. I don’t know if you’re aware of how deep our issues with him go, but for starters, he murdered my wife and son." Pain flickers across his face.
"Oh my god," blurts Angel, her hand flying to her face. "Dimitri, I had no idea…"
"How would you be expected to know?" He shrugs, his mouth set in a firm line. "And I'm sure you're wondering, but I don't care about revenge… I’m past that and found something that’s worth more.” He pauses and glances at Aria, and something passes between them, no words needed. “Now, I care about justice. Same as all of you."
His words seem genuine, and I feel some of my doubts melting away.
Dimitri continues. "Hopefully the assistance we provided on the other island is enough to show you we’re in this for the long haul, whatever it takes. We’ve put ourselves directly in the line of fire with Tane again. And to be honest, I’m scared. I couldn’t bear for him to take away someone I loved again…" He glances at Aria, and I detect a slight tremor in his lips.
Around the room, I see heads nodding, faces softening. We've all lost massively to Tane's cruelty. Dimitri's raw admission strikes a chord. It sounds like out of all of us, Tane has caused the most destruction for him.
"We want the same thing," Angel says softly. Though wary, she's willing to give him a chance. The others murmur agreement.
"One wrong move and you're out," Skyler warns. But the threat lacks heat.
Slowly, subtly, attitudes are shifting. We're seeing each other as allies bound by trauma, not rivals. There's hope yet for this unlikely alliance.
"Let's focus on the plan," I say. "Together, we can defeat Tane and make sure he doesn’t inflict this type of atrocity on anyone else ever again. Once we’re done, the people of these islands will finally be free from his ongoing oppression."
Resolute, we turn our minds to strategy. The road is long, but for the first time, it doesn't seem so lonely. Side by side, we just might make it.
As the meeting breaks up, I catch Angel's eye across the room. She gives me a small, hopeful smile.
"We need each other," she says, echoing my thoughts. "Let's make this work."
I know how hard those words come for her. How deep her distrust runs. But she's willing to try, for the greater good.
Beside me, Brick claps a heavy hand on Dimitri's shoulder. "Don't make me regret this," he rumbles. Though his tone is gruff, I sense the offer of friendship behind it.
Dimitri meets his gaze steadily. "You won't," he vows.
Together, we file out into the night. The air practically vibrates with cautious optimism. This unlikely union still feels fragile, but the seeds are sown.
Tomorrow we prepare for war. Tonight, we prepare our hearts for trust.