Elicit (Eagle Elite #4)(56)
Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Trace’s brown eyes welled with tears, long lashes blinked trying to hold the water in as her gaze stayed focused on mine.

She couldn’t fix it—I didn’t want her to, but at least she knew I was sorry, more sorry than I’d ever be, so sorry that to stand by her was the worst pain of all because it was a constant reminder of the sickness that had stained my soul and taken control of my actions.

“I’m sorry.” I shoved my hands awkwardly in my pockets. “That was uncalled for.”

“No.” She shook her head slowly. “I think it was the right thing to say.”

I licked my lips and nodded, feeling my cheeks stain with embarrassment at what I’d just shared.

“Hey.” Chase appeared and slapped me on the shoulder. “Either of you two seen Tex? Some of the guys are leaving and wanted to say goodbye.”

Trace angled her head. “Last I saw he was pushing Sergio down the hallway.”

“Oh good.” Chase nodded. “Another body I’ll get to bury.”

Trace winced.

“He’s kidding.” I rolled my eyes. “Just saw Sergio, he looks like shit, I haven’t seen Tex though.”

“Maybe he’s in his room…” Chase looked behind him.

“Or Mo’s.” I grit my teeth at the possibility. He’d better not be anywhere near her, unless he was making her believe he was a disinterested bastard with a heart of stone.

Chase grinned. “Horny little bastard. Alright, I’ll go check.”

He ran off leaving me alone with Trace again.

“Wine?” She held out her hand.

I wanted to take it; instead I stared at it for what it was, a peace offering, one I didn’t deserve.

“It’s just a hand Phoenix.”

“No.” I grasped her fingers. “We both know it’s really not.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

You may as well have killed me.

Mo

MY HANDS TIGHTENED into tiny fists. Without warning him, I sent off a right hook, slamming Tex in the cheek. His body moved to the side, barely. Blinking a few times he looked down and sighed. “I deserved that.”

“You deserve a swift kick to the nuts.”

“For having sex with you?”

“For leaving afterwards.”

“Mo, I never promised—”

Another punch, my knuckles started to bleed as I wailed on him a third time. Finally he gripped my wrists above my head.

“Stop!” he growled.

I bucked against him, wrapping my arms around his waist. With a moan he lowered his head to mine. “Do that again and you’re just going to get more pissed with my next actions.”

“Go,” I whispered hoarsely, injecting all the venom of my hatred for what he’d become into the one word. “Before I pull out my gun and give you a better reason.”

Swallowing, Tex nodded and kissed me softly on the forehead. I nearly burst into tears, probably would have, if the door hadn’t been flung open.

“Son of a bitch!” Chase yelled, slamming the door behind him and charging towards Tex.

Tex stumbled away from me as I pulled the bed blankets up to cover my nakedness.

“You’re lucky I’m not Nixon,” Chase seethed pushing against Tex’s muscled chest. “He’d put a bullet in your head.”

“And what are you going to do?” Tex took a step towards him. “I’m the freaking godfather, killing me is like writing your own death sentence.”

I gasped at the truth of his words. What type of monster was Tex turning into? To say that to his best friend? To challenge him in such a way?

Chase chuckled. “Who the hell said anything about killing?” He moved so fast my eyes almost didn’t track him. Tex was on his back in seconds. Chase hovering over him, delivering blow after blow to Tex’s face. When Tex raised his arm to ward off the blows, Chase went in on Tex’s ribs, right left, right left.

And Tex let him.

“Chase, stop!” I wailed. “You’re going to kill him!”

“No.” Chase drove his fist into Tex’s side. “I won’t.”

“Chase!”

The door burst open again; this time it was Phoenix. With a curse he ran to the guys and pulled Chase from Tex’s bloody body. Chase still tried to lunge for Tex but Phoenix had his arms pinned behind his back.

Tex pushed up to a sitting position, blood tricking from a cut to his left cheek. One eye was already beginning to swell shut. “That all you got, Chase?”

With a roar Chase elbowed Phoenix in the stomach, twisting his arms out of his grip and dove for Tex, this time jumping into the air as his fist landed against Tex’s temple.

He crumpled to the floor.

He hadn’t even defended himself, and Tex was a relative giant; he could have, easily.

But that hadn’t been a Campisi taking the hits, that was Tex, my Tex. He’d felt guilty, and he’d needed to feel the pain as a reminder. I knew that about him, knew he was taking physical punishment for the emotional damage.

“Enough!” Phoenix roared. “Chase, leave.”

“No.” Chase heaved, wiping his hands on his shirt. “Not until—”

Phoenix sighed, reaching to the small of his back and withdrawing his gun then pointing it at Chase. “I said leave.”

Cursing, Chase stomped out of the room while Phoenix put his gun away and slowly walked over to Tex.

“Is he okay?” I squeaked.

“I hope it was worth it.” Phoenix ignored my question.

I reared back. “Worth it?”

“Sleeping with him. I hope it was good, because he’s going to have a hell of a headache and most likely two bruised ribs.”

I choked on a sob, covering my face with my hands. “Nothing’s worth him getting hurt over.”

“Then stop.” Phoenix’s voice was hoarse. “Stop hurting him, Mo. Stop making him turn into something he can’t be. Stop dreaming he’s going to come back and save you. There is no white horse, there is no happy ending in this story, alright? You aren’t one of the lucky ones and I’m sorry that I have to be the one to tell you that. But in no way is that man.” He pointed at Tex. “Going to say screw it to his own family in order to marry you.”

“He could though.” I fought the doubt in my head. “I could stay married to him, I could help align the families, like before. You said—”

“Forget what I said,” Phoenix snapped. “This isn’t a game, Mo! People’s lives are at stake. What if I told you it was Chase or your brother, would you pay attention then? Hmm?”