Page 76 of The Devil's Dilemma

“You all right there, Freddie?” I asked.

He nodded, but he winced at the tiny movement. His face was covered in bruises and cuts inflicted by the fucker lying at my feet.

He’d brought it upon himself.

I stepped over mangled bodies and walked through puddles of dark blood. They shouldn’t have threatened Austin, shouldn’t have the intention to end his life.

In doing so, they’d signed their death warrants.

Ironic how they’d wanted me to burn the world to the ground, using him as leverage. I’d done it anyway, and while killing them hadn’t neutralised the threat, it had postponed it.

Austin was safe… for now.

I found Conrad and Austin standing in a nearby car park.

“Done?” Conrad asked.

“It’s done.”

“W-were they going to kill me?” Austin’s voice wavered.

I stroked his face. To be so innocent and naive. He might have committed crimes, but he’d been unused to the level of violence I’d performed today.

“Yes. They would have killed you. You’re safe now, but we need to get you back to the casino.”

“What about Grandpa? Nick said he’d kill him.”

“No one needs to worry about Nick anymore. Your grandpa will be safe. I promise.”

Unable to help myself, I gathered Austin to me and wrapped my arms around him. My unease slowly ebbed away until a calmness I hadn’t experienced in years washed over me.

Reluctantly he slung his arms around my waist and collapsed against me, breathing deep, shuddering breaths.

“It’ll be okay. I promise.” I had no business saying that, having no idea if it would indeed be okay.

Would I continue to savage the earth until I was satisfied, or would I succumb to my inner voice and complete the bond?

What exactly would that achieve, and was I willing to sacrifice myself for a man I barely knew?

“I’ll take care of that little lot.” Conrad walked back towards the playground. He’d clean up. He always did. No one would know anything had happened there.

Austin and I stood for a while longer until finally we broke apart.

“I need to get back to Grandpa. I said I wouldn’t be long.”

“It’s been less than an hour, but I’ll take you there now.”

We walked back to the house in silence. What was going through his head? Would he even want to return with me?

I was on the alert, watching the shadows, listening for any indication that anyone was lurking in the alleyways, but it was quiet, just the rustling of the leaves

As we approached the house, he broke into a run, and I dashed after him.

He stood on the threshold, but I waited a few steps from him. Would I be welcome inside? But Austin was upset by the events, and I reckoned he’d need the comfort of his family andfriend, not me. I didn’t want our time together coming to an end, though. I wanted him. I needed him.

I needed him to soothe me, to still the destructive thoughts that had plagued me lately, but instead of saying goodbye, he surprised me.

“You’d best come in. I’m not walking to the casino later. I’ll need a lift.”

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