Page 2 of The Devil's Dilemma

If anything, I took all the risks. It was likely my life on the line this time, and the word ‘no’ lay on the tip of my tongue. I wasn’t doing it, but that much money was too tempting to turn down.

Plus, I had the luck of the Irish despite being from the wrong side of the Irish Sea. Liverpool, to be precise.

“Pete, you stand watch like you normally do. Any signs of trouble? You let Freddie know, and he’ll drag our lucky little leprechaun here out of trouble.”

I hated when he called me that. I was tired of him touching my head every time he walked past to see if the luck would rub off on him.

Good job we were mates. Or he’d have my fist in his face. I might look like butter wouldn’t melt, but no fucker messed with me and got away with it.

“I should go in alone. That casino is as fancy as fuck. You lot will look totally out of place in there. I say we hit it late one night, maybe a Friday or Saturday when it’s crowded. That way, I can blend in a little more. I can rent a suit. Look the part, you know?”

Joel bit the inside of his cheek, a habit he had when he was thinking.

“I don’t know, Aus. We’ve always done things together, and from what I’ve heard, the guy who owns it is a bastard.”

“Then explain why we’re hitting it.” More to the point, why I was going in alone.

“Because…”

“Because what?” I didn’t see them putting their lives or criminal records on the line. This one was going to be all me if we wanted it done right.

“Because he’s fucking rich. More money than sense. Here, look.”

The photograph that filled the screen took my breath away. I glanced around at the others. Had anyone heard me?

“Fucking horns?” Freddie snorted.

“He plays the devil. It’s a gimmick. They’re stuck on or some shit.” Joel laughed.

I didn’t care what they were. He was fucking gorgeous. Impressive sharp cheekbones, white-blond hair, and were his eyes orange?

The guy on the screen definitely appealed. To me anyway. My friends knew I was gay, but they never gave me shit about it. I might have shared a kiss with Joel, but that was a long time ago when we were both unsure, both experimenting. We’d moved on since.

“His name is Dante.”

“You know that’s another name for the devil,” I said.

“Eh, he looks like a dick.”

I disagreed.

“But, guys,” Joel said. “It’s a fucking big deal. If we wanna get out of here, we’ve gotta hit that. Get as much money as we can. Me and Freddie can come in, hang around the sidelines, and watch if it makes you feel better, Aus.”

As much money asIcould. I shook my head. Why the fuck I was even thinking about it?

Could they blend in? I had my doubts. Unless… I frowned and nibbled on the loose skin around my fingernails. I’d heardstories about a shop. A shop that could give you what you wanted without having to ask. It couldn’t give you money. Nothing like that. Grandpa used to tell me stories when I was much younger, before my world fell apart.

It was a fairytale; it must have been. Tales from an old man to get young Austin to sleep, but if it could give me something to help…

Joel nudged me. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t matter. We need to go carefully. I think it’s risky.”

“Think of the money, and from what you said, he’s got loads to spare.” Freddie rubbed his hands together, his grin infectious.

The other guys laughed and slapped each other on the back, clinking their beer bottles.

As far as I was concerned, it was far too early to be celebrating. There was still much to do. Lots of arrangements to be made.

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