circumstances seemed impossible. In the end, he might not have ended up with the girl on his arm, but he sure as hell did everything in his power to try. Elijah was the most emotionally grounded in our friend trio, and I could probably gain a lot of footing with Rio if I listened to his advice.
If I wasn’t wasting all my energy doggy paddling in the deep end of my pool of denial.
Concern filled his voice. “You still there?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m here. Fuck all this, dude. I can’t cope with Bas accusing me of something and then hanging up on me before I had a chance to explain.” Then, admitting my more significant concern, “If he drags you into this too? I won’t forgive myself.”
“Come, come,” he tutted mockingly. “Let’s not get dramatic. Then we’ll all be running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Instead of just Bas.” Elijah snickered, and I couldn’t fathom why he wasn’t taking this seriously. We’d both laid witness while Sebastian Shark obliterated an enemy or two. I never dreamed I’d be on his hit list one day.
“Banks,” I said sternly. “Why don’t you see the implications here?”
“Oh, I see them. I just don’t care.” I could picture the careless shrug he gave while he said it. “Bas is going to do what Bas is going to do. We both know that. I swore I would never grovel to the man, and I’m holding to that.”
“I have no intention of groveling. I just want to explain what really happened that night.”
“Don’t you get it, Grant? He will see the situation the same, no matter what you say. He’s already appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner. Just like he always does.” Then he scoffed, “I, for one, won’t be showing up to his courtroom. Ever.”
“But—” I started, but my best friend cut me off.
“No, man, listen to me. I did what I did that night without apology. I was there for one of my best friends when he called me for help. I will never feel guilty about that. Did we cover up some shit we shouldn’t have, as far as the law is concerned? Probably. But do I feel remorseful about it? About helping you out? No. I don’t. Nor will I, no matter how deeply the almighty Shark sinks in his teeth.”
One last attempt to make him see reason. “Elijah—”
But he cut me off again. Damn this guy.
“It’s called conviction, Twombley.”
Or fucking idiocy. Either or.
“I’ll never forgive myself…” I said quietly.
“Well, that’s on you, then. But you don’t have to worry about Bas and me. The man understands that I operate on principle. Always. If he knows I was involved, he can bring it up with me, not take it out on you. Don’t be a horse’s ass and fall on the sword so easily.”
“You really are an amazing friend, Elijah. And an outstanding human being. I’m proud to call you my friend.”
“Even if I told you I rode your girl Shawna for three hours straight last night?” he floated past me.
“Fuck you! You did not. You’re not her type, not in the least.” Strangely, not an ounce of jealousy twisted in my gut, where it usually would have in response to his dig.
“In fact, I did. And Jesus H. Christ, no wonder you tip that woman the way you do.” Then he let out a low, tormented groan. “That girl’s got kinkier needs than you and me put together.”
“Shit,” I said, grinning while I remembered my last romp with Lulu’s hottie. “Don’t I know it.” I chuckled. “Was she able to walk today?”
“Not my concern,” he said offhandedly. “I’ll catch you later, chief. I need to do some legit work today at some point.”
“Elijah?” I asked, not sure if he’d already disconnected.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks, man. I mean…for everything.”
“Catch you later, Twombley,” he said.
Elijah Banks was never one to take credit for the good he put back into the world. He’d much rather everyone think he was the dick-swinging playboy he made himself out to be.
I flopped onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. By my calculations, we had at least four days remaining until we arrived at our destination. I had to make peace with my shipmate, and I had a feeling she wasn’t going to roll over easily. She never did, so why would she start now? That thought made me grin and then audibly chuckle.
“Oh, Blaze,” I said to the walls. “What am I going to do with