A Chip and a Chair (Seven of Spades, #5)(100)
Everyone knew the Seven of Spades had turned out to be one of his closest friends.
Leery wasn’t a strong enough word for how Levi felt about going out in public. Terrified would be more accurate.
Realizing that his father was still waiting for a response, Levi forced a smile. “It needs to be done. I can’t hide forever.”
Saul nodded, clapped Levi’s shoulder, and left it at that.
An unmarked FBI SUV was parked outside the hotel along with a second escort vehicle, both manned by two armed special agents. Levi had protested the security detail, but Denise had brooked no argument. Although Utopia as a whole had been decimated-many of its members killed in Natasha’s explosion, most of the rest rounded up by law enforcement over the following weeks-there were stragglers out there bearing a serious grudge. And even people who meant Levi and Dominic no harm could cause damage through sheer enthusiasm and curiosity.
Gibbs was having a graveside service, so they drove straight to the cemetery. Through the tinted windows of the backseat, Levi took in the city’s staunch rebuilding efforts, which he’d only watched on television until now. The city had been dealt a catastrophic blow, but with time and effort, it would bounce back.
Las Vegas always did.
A horde of news vans, cameras, and reporters ten deep was thronging the cemetery gates, held back by stone-faced cops and not a few FBI agents. As the SUV inched through the mob to be allowed inside, Levi instinctively reached for Dominic’s hand, turning his face away from the window even though he knew nobody could see through the glass.
The parking lot, while packed, was less chaotic. Stepping out of the car, Levi spotted several members of the LVMPD’s permanent Honor Guard heading inside a small building. Each man looked exhausted, and little wonder; Gibbs was far from the only cop who’d died the day of the riots.
In fact, Gibbs’s funeral had been delayed more than most-not just because of the sheer number of deaths the city was processing, but due to the need to verify the circumstances of his murder. His heroism now confirmed, he was receiving a line-of-duty funeral with full honors.
Whispers and stares broke out across the lot as people caught on to Levi and Dominic’s arrival. Levi jammed his cap on his head and pulled the brim down low, but even with his parents and Rita falling in around him, it was too late. Besides, there was simply no hiding Dominic.
A bright-eyed young officer was the first to approach, bounding over with a wide smile and an outstretched hand. Before he could reach Levi, he was intercepted by a striking figure in a black pantsuit.
“Keep moving, buddy,” Leila said crisply.
The officer cringed, mumbled an apology, and scurried away. Levi felt a little bad for the kid, since he’d clearly had good intentions. Then again, this wasn’t the time or place.
Leila turned to Levi. “Thought you might not show.”
“I thought you’d be too busy on your press tour,” Levi retorted, a smile tugging at his mouth.
She grinned. Of the four of them, Leila was the least perturbed by their newfound fame, and the most willing to take advantage of its benefits.
For his part, Levi had ignored the flood of appearance offers, honors, and awards that had come his way over the past weeks, as had Dominic. The only one that meant anything to him was the LVMPD’s Medal of Valor, which both he and Martine were slated to receive.
With Leila on one side, Dominic on the other, and his parents and Rita behind, Levi walked along the cemetery’s pleasant footpaths. The sun blazed overhead, bathing them in radiant afternoon light.
But it was difficult for Levi to focus on the cemetery’s beauty when he was distracted by the murmurs of everyone around them, by the stares burning into his skin from every direction. He’d read secondhand accounts of that night online; like most stories, their group’s actions had been blown way out of proportion, layer after layer of hyperbole elevating it to the stuff of legend. He knew that he and the others were being hailed as heroes by most.
The awe and admiration in people’s eyes would have made Levi uncomfortable no matter the circumstances, but that wasn’t what made him want to break into a sprint and disappear over the horizon.
No, that would be the pity.
It was different for the others. Leila had barely known Natasha; Dominic and Martine had been friends with her, but not the way Levi had. And it was Levi whom Natasha had focused on, called out, thrust into the public spotlight against his will. He was the one who’d been a notorious hot mess even before the truth was revealed.
These people might see Levi as a hero-but a fragile one, broken by betrayal, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.
Damaged goods.
They arrived at the sturdy white folding chairs arranged at Gibbs’s gravesite, and Levi shoved his self-pitying thoughts deep down when he saw Martine. She was accompanied by Antoine and wearing the same dress uniform as Levi, the only difference being the sling supporting her left arm.
He hugged her, careful not to jostle the healing injury. “Beautiful day.”
“Yeah,” she said, then smiled fondly. “Gibbs would be complaining non-stop about how hot it is.”
Levi saw other people he knew: Sergeant Wen, sitting in the front row; Kelly, already crying quietly; even Montoya and Freeman, who’d been instrumental in ferreting out Utopia’s mole network. He wasn’t up for conversation, though, so he avoided eye contact and took his seat.