49. Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter forty-nine
L ater that day
"Well, it's time for the finale," says Brick. "We couldn't just, like… bury him or cremate him in a traditional way. He was a special man, and he deserves a fitting sendoff."
"What are you going to do? Throw him a parade?" Slade looks at Brick like he's gone mad… even madder than usual. "Dedicate a public holiday in his honor?"
Brick shakes his head. "Don't be ridiculous. Just you wait for it. Look at the sky in about an hour."
"Okay…?" Slade replies, none the wiser, and he's not too happy about being kept in the dark.
"Trust…. trust and let go," says Brick, winking at Slade. "We're all on the same team, remember?"
"Oh okay, fine. I trust you, you psycho." Slade rolls his eyes, but I detect a smirk forming. He tries so hard to project a curmudgeonly persona, but we know that deep down Slade is as soft and fluffy as the delicious scones he bakes for us occasionally. Especially when it comes to Angel. "Wait, you were joking about the fireworks thing, I thought?"
Brick just laughs.
Exactly an hour later, we're standing outside and there's a huge bang and the sky suddenly lights up.
"What the hell?" I frown. My first thought is it's a bomb or someone storming our location, and I duck for cover, but then there's another bang and I realize this must be the sendoff Brick mentioned.
The fireworks burst into the air, shattering into what looks like a million pieces. Red, white and blue—to symbolize freedom. The freedom that's now possible for the people of these islands.
It's poetic, somehow. Watching someone so evil turn into something so beautiful.
I gasp as the finale begins, the remnants of Tane exploding into millions of tiny balls of light.
"It's fitting, in some ways," I say. "He did leave an impression on these islands, bad as though it may have been. And people are going to remember these fireworks forever." A thought strikes me. "Maybe it'll even serve as a warning to others not to challenge our new place here. If we can do this to someone like Tane Brown, who instilled terror for so long, maybe others will be hesitant to try."
"Yeah," Rake snickers. "I feel bad for anyone who puts on a display for Fourth of July or New Years after this. The baseline expectations for fireworks displays has increased exponentially."
I smirk. "If that's the worst part of getting rid of Tane—increased fireworks expectations—I think we're okay."
He laughs and wraps his long, tattooed arm around my shoulder, giving me an enthusiastic squeeze. "You're right. I think the positives far outweigh the negative here."
Together, with me leaning into his torso, we watch the rest of the show in silence, just taking it all in.
Just as the fireworks stop, the roar of a motorcycle gets louder and, soon, Brick comes into view. He's atop a brand new-looking machine, its chrome fixtures reflecting against the nightlights. And then I see the streamers. They're long, hanging off each of the handlebars. A fleshy tone, with an unmistakeable pattern. Tane's back tattoo, now in dangly tassel form .
As Brick makes his way past, he waves as if he's performing in some type of pageant, the streamers flying proudly as he goes. "I'll be right back!" he calls out. "Just need to take this through the main streets so everyone can see."
I shake my head and laugh, meeting Angel's gaze as she does the same.
There is no end to what this man will come up with, I swear.
And as he glances over at Angel, his eyes gleaming, I know that she wouldn't have it any other way.