Page 151 of Taint My Soul

I won’t be the person who things keep happening to.

I won’t be the victim. I have to fight.

“I’m down to do whatever it takes, Ali. If I have to train, I fucking will.”

Ali and Bernard exchange glances, and Ali finally looks up at me with an exhausted sigh.

“Talk.” I move toward them and pull out a chair.

“Doing this means you have to go against the King himself.”

“Fine.” I agree. “What’s our plan?” Even though a part of me is terrified, I have to be strong. I have to go against the bigger monster to save Saint. I have to do everything it takes.

“Cyrus Deveraux.” Ali reveals. A cold, steel look settles over his features.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

ELIO

“The Gravedigger?” I lean forward and look at Ali.

“You know him?”

“He kidnapped me twice.”

“I remember,” Bernard confirms. “But twice?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Cyrus Deveraux used to be Tobias King’s second in command, but things went south between them when Tobias killed Cyrus’s son, Taye.”

“How does he help us?”

“We make him a proposal. No man in this world hates Tobias as much as he does. If he came back to hurt Saint, it means he still wants revenge. We give Tobias in exchange for Saint when this is all over.”

“And what do we get in return?” I ask.

“His soldiers. Three of us can’t rescue Saint on our own. We need help. Weapons. Comms. He gives it to us. We give him Tobias.” Ali explains.

“And if he refuses our offer.”

“Let’s hope he doesn’t.”

“How are we going to locate him?” I ask the hard questions.

“I have eyes on him as we speak. He comes to a certain high-end restaurant by 5 o’clock.” Ali says. “Saint hired me for a private investigation. I watched him for weeks. I know his routine.”

“It’s 2 pm. If we leave now, we can get to him.” I say.

“This isn’t the time to be reckless. We have to be strategic.” Ali springs to his feet, and I give him a nod. He’s been in this world longer than I have, and he definitely knows more than I do. “Right. I’ll make a call.” Ali heads toward the door. Almost at the exit, he stops and looks over his shoulder. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asks.

“Yes.”

There’s no doubt.

He nods sternly and leaves the kitchen for the living room.

“Is everything okay with you?” I look at Bernard.