Chapter 42 Enemy Revelations
Chapter Forty-Two
Enemy Revelations
Alex
Davin shoved the heavy door to the alleyway open before turning to help Alex down the steps.
She was trying to hide her pain, but it was becoming unbearable.
It didn’t feel as if the stitches had ripped, but the numbing salve was definitely lacking.
Davin helped her lean back against the wall to rest, as he quickly closed the door behind them.
No one had bothered to stop them on their way out, probably thinking they were visitors.
Davin ran his hand down her arm. “Are you ok? I can carry you if you need.”
Alex shifted her body away, and he let his hand drop.
“I am completely capable of walking on my own.” A shadow fell over Davin’s face, and he took a step back.
The moment they had shared in that room was over.
The guilt of that kiss weighed heavily on her soul.
She couldn’t fully let Rivka go. It had been months, even while they had still lived under the same roof, months since she began her search and yet the pain of the betrayal still felt fresh, and the love for her just as strong.
But she couldn’t seem to walk away from Davin either.
Alex wanted him, yet that wasn’t fair to him.
She needed to keep that boundary firmly set.
“Why do you continue to push me away, only to burn me with your heat? You can’t tell me that was nothing. You and I both know that’s not true. But what is driving me mad is that you won’t let me in. What are you so afraid of?” Davin paced away, pushing his hands through his disheveled hair.
Alex threw her hands up in surrender. “I’m not trying to lead you on, Davin. There is a pull between us, but I just can’t. I’m not ready.”
Davin whirled on her, his eyes reflecting his confusion. “You sure as Sindu acted ready a few minutes ago.”
“Davin. I don’t know what to do here.”
“Start with letting me in, trusting me enough to tell me the truth, the entire truth, not just the bits and pieces you’ve been parsing out as you feel necessary!
” He moved closer but didn’t touch her. Alex didn’t move.
She didn’t know if she could be completely forthcoming, but maybe she could ease some of the hurt she was causing.
“There was someone else, but they–hurt me–and..”
Steady slapping footfalls and heavy breathing rose from the mouth of the alley, several feet away.
A man was rushing towards them, his face a mask of confusion.
Shock rocked through her as recognition took hold.
Davin spun, moving into a defensive stance.
Tristan skidded to a stop in front of them, his eyes taking in Alex from head to toe, finally landing on her missing braid.
"Where is she? Is she with you?" he demanded.
Alex startled at the sudden boom of his voice breaking through her disbelief.
Tristan grabbed for her shoulders, but before he could even touch her, Davin moved forward into the space between them.
Alex leaned heavily on the wall behind her, her arms not leaving Davin’s reach.
As angry as she was, she still didn’t know why Tristan was here or if he was a threat to her life.
“Who the hell are you?” Davin snarled, glaring menacingly at Tristan. Tristan held his hands up in a show of peace, taking the smallest step back.
“A pampered idiot,” Alex replied from behind him, leaning slightly to see around Davin. Davin ignored her and leaned into Tristan’s space, a low growl emitting from his throat.
“For Gods sake! I swear I am not here to hurt her! I’m actually glad to see that she’s still alive. My brothers said that they killed her. Nice haircut by the way.” Tristan hurried on, making eye contact with Alex, before moving his attention back to Davin.
Alex scowled at him. She was still pissed about that. Those little shits were going to pay dearly for what they had done.
“What do you want, Tristan,” Alex gritted out, “if not to kill me?”
“I need to know where she is. Please, Alex, tell me that you know; tell me that you’ve found her,” he pleaded.
The concern in his tone was both shocking and strangely believable. Davin’s head whipped back and forth between the two of them.
“I don’t know where she is, Tristan, and even if I did, you would be the last person I would tell.” Alex laughed bitterly.
A look of devastation passed over Tristan’s face. “I am sorry that you hate me, but I just want what is best for my child. I do not wish any harm to come to Rivka, Alex. I am not a monster.”
Davin’s eyes grew big in surprise. “Rivka? As in Queen Rivka!?”
Alex ignored Davin completely and stared at Tristan like he had grown a second head. “What child, Tristan?” she asked, barely a whisper, her voice hinting at the betrayal she felt surging.
Alex’s breath came faster. Her heart rate hitched with each moment. What was Tristan saying? A child? Their child? It couldn’t be. Bile rose in her throat.
“What child, Tristan?” she ground out again, the anger burning in her eyes.
Tristan backed up, hands held out in front of him. “I thought you would have figured it out by now. You must have known!”
“WHAT. CHILD?!” Alex was vibrating; the pain from her wound disappeared under the heat of her rage.
“My child! Rivka is pregnant with my child!” Tristan shouted.
Alex couldn’t think through the cloud of her anger. Rivka was pregnant. With his child. This was why she ran. It had to be. But why? She needed an heir. Alex’s eyes narrowed, the pieces all starting to slide into place.
“Vivian. You and your harpy of a mother are behind this.”
Something flickered in Tristan’s eyes. Pain? Alex couldn’t be sure.
“I swear, Alex, I didn’t do it intentionally. I am trying to help. To find her.”
“I don’t buy that for a minute, Tristan. I saw you fucking her,” she seethed.
Tristan stilled, his face blanching. “You saw? How?”
“It doesn’t matter. I just did. She left because of you!” Alex felt the tears coming. She wouldn’t cry though. She refused to shed one tear in front of this asshole.
“There is so much you obviously still don’t know.” Tristan was practically begging now.
Alex was barely standing, and this argument was going nowhere. Davin placed himself more firmly between the two of them and cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself.
“She obviously doesn’t have the answers you are looking for. I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“Davin, I can handle this.” Alex began, but the argument died on her lips as she caught the look on Davin’s face.
“No, this is finished. Tristan, it’s time to go.” Davin’s tone final, allowing no argument.
“Fine. But Alex, if you find her, please, tell her that I’m…”
“I won’t tell her shit for you.” Alex spat, not letting him finish.
“ENOUGH.” Davin roared, taking a step towards Tristan, who instinctively stepped back.
“I’m sorry, Alex. For everything.” He spoke as he continued to move away from them, back down the alley. “You will never know the depth of my sincerity.”
“Screw your apology. The next time our paths cross, you won’t get the chance to walk away.”
With that, Tristan left them alone in the shadow of the Med Center once again.
Alex collapsed back against the wall, the fight draining from her, sorrow taking its place.
It was as if her heart was shattering all over again.
Her mind reeled from the events of the day. She needed the sweet oblivion of sleep.
“Let’s go, princess. Time to find a bed.” Davin said, draping her arm around his neck. Alex gritted her teeth, pushing down the pain, as she limped slowly towards The Lavender Rose. She needed food, a bath, and a bed. She would worry about her heart later.