Shadow’s Heart (Devil’s Inferno MC #3)

Chapter Thirty

Wreck

W ithout a doubt, talking to Jake was definitely needed. Despite the fact that both Wrath and Shadow had told him he didn’t need to leave, he was still worrying about what my reaction would be towards him. So, it shocked the shit out of him when the first thing I said to him was thank you. I don’t think he quite realizes just how screwed I would have been without him. There’s not a chance in hell I’d have ever held what his family did against him. At the end of the day, he saved me and risked losing his family in the process. He couldn’t have known how any of them would have reacted to his actions when he saved me.

We spent a good portion of time talking about everything that had happened and about Rex. It turns out Rex is home, and he didn’t take the news of anything that was revealed while he was away well at all. At first he was adamant everyone was wrong about Megan, until Jake played him a recording of Megan being questioned by their Mom. In the recording, apparently Megan admitted to lying to Rex because she knew how he’d react and what he’d do. She was prepared to do anything to get rid of me. Even if it meant destroying a good man in the process. After that, apparently it was like Rex broke before Jake’s eyes. The horror and regret were like living beings and still are. Jake’s really worried about his brother’s state of mind.

Maybe I shouldn’t care, but I do. Rex is a victim in all this just as much as me. He’s a good guy who just believed the wrong person. It could have happened to anyone. Jake explained to me how Rex has always been focused on righting all the wrongs in the world and never harming an innocent person in the process. What he did to me is eating him alive, and I want to help him somehow. I think I have an idea, but in order to help him move past it all, I’m going to have to face him, and I’m fine with that. I hold no ill will against the man. I don’t think Shadow will be okay with it, though.

Hugging Jake tight after we’ve finished talking, I whisper in his ear, “I think I have a way to help Rex, but I just need a little time to sort it out.”

“You don’t have to do this.” He whispers back, his voice clogged with emotion.

“I know that; I want to.” I say as I release him.

At the same time I release him, I spot Shadow across the room in the doorway, and he doesn’t look happy. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he looks jealous. But that can’t be right; for one, Shadow isn’t a person to get jealous, and for two, he has nothing to even be jealous about. Hmm. Weird. Is this what Flame was referring to when he said to pay attention?

After saying goodbye to Jake, I head in Shadow’s direction. I’m hoping he’s in the mood to listen to my plan to help Rex. I don’t want him to immediately shut down my idea just because of the part Rex played in everything. Rex deserves a chance to move past everything too. What happened to Rex could have happened to any of us. It’s not like we don’t do similar things all the time when we’re helping someone. We’ve just been lucky that we’ve never just taken a person’s word for it. We’ve always fact-checked. But in Rex’s case, he was trusting someone he considered a friend; he shouldn’t have had to fact-check. Megan knew this and took advantage.

“Can we talk in your office?” I ask once I’m within hearing distance. I don’t want to have this conversation in front of everyone. I can just imagine how he’s going to react. I could really do without an audience when he loses his mind.

Shadow nods his head but doesn’t speak. His jaw is clamped down hard for some reason. God knows what’s going on in his head right now. I follow him into his office, closing and locking the door behind us. I don’t need anyone storming in here when he inevitably loses his mind at what I have to say.

“So how was your talk with Jake?” He asks as he flops down in his desk chair.

“It was good. Rex is back, and he isn’t dealing with his role in everything well.” I start to explain.

“Good, he should fucking suffer for what he did to you.” Shadow spits out angrily. This right here is why I wanted to have this conversation in private. I know he’s angry at Rex and blames him for his role in everything.

“Alex no. He’s as much a victim as me.” I say softly, hoping and praying he’ll listen to me.

“The fuck he is.” Shadow explodes from his seat. “He wasn’t held against his will for three days! He wasn’t tortured! He didn’t think he was going to die!” His voice is getting louder and louder as he speaks.

“I know all that, but he thought he was doing the right thing, Alex. Put yourself in his shoes; he honestly believed Megan. Think of all the times we’ve all done something similar to what Rex did to me. He’s just like us.”

Before my eyes, Shadow’s entire body deflates as the fight leaves him and my words sink in. His eyes welling up with tears. I hate when he cries. I hate seeing him upset.

“Maybe so, but I almost lost you because of his actions.” He says, voice clogged.

“But you didn’t. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” I say as I walk towards him and pull him into my arms. His entire body sags against me.

After a few minutes, he composes himself and pulls out of my arms, going to sit back in his chair. Once he’s sitting down, he looks at me, where I’m not perched on the edge of his desk.

“You clearly have some sort of plan to help him move past everything. Let me have it.”

So I do. I tell him how I think Rex needs to do something that he believes will earn him my forgiveness, even if I don’t think there’s anything to forgive. There’s really only one task I could give him that would make it clear as day that I mean what I’m saying. Finding Dre. Despite all my efforts and the efforts Tech has tried to put in while juggling everything else he does within the club, neither of us have had any luck finding him. In a way, this turn of events could be really good for me finding my missing brother. The resources Rex has at his disposal are things I could only dream of. If anyone is going to find Dre, it’s him.

Shadow looks at me thoughtfully once I’ve finished explaining, even though he hasn’t said it yet. I know he’s on board with my plan. It’s a great thing knowing someone so well you know what they’re thinking without them having to say a word.