Page 20 of Bear the Burden

* * * *

“You know they won’t have the money in a week.” Durzi scowled when the kitchen chair he currently sat in rocked with unevenness every time he shifted positions.

“I’m fully aware, Seth.”

Seth was a ridiculous name, but Durzi had needed a human cover when he discovered being around Morton had benefits. Plus, he didn’t want anyone to get wind that Durzi was in Midnight Falls. He had to keep his whereabouts hidden. So Seth it was, no matter how much he hated it.

Morton made a cappuccino with one of those fancy coffee machines sitting on his counter. “But I want them to try so I can recoup some of my money. Which do you think I’d rather have, a dead addict and his stupidly naïve son or cold, hard cash?”

Then why in the fuck did you allow him to rack up such a high debt? Durzi was thousands of years old, yet he still couldn’t understand human logic and probably never would.

Like how Morton was wealthy enough to afford a luxurious home but would rather live in a low-rent piece of crap. Durzi had lost count on how many times he’d battled with the disgusting plunger or unloaded wet dishes from the dishwasher because the ancient model needed to be replaced.

If he hadn’t been in hiding from Whichello, he would’ve sucked out Morton’s soul and been on his merry way.

The only reason he stuck around was the fact Morton was one of those extremely rare humans who could naturally signal-jam a preternatural being’s whereabouts.

Thankfully, Morton was oblivious of his special gift and the fact “Seth” was a demon. The less he knew, the better.

Still, Morton’s power came in mighty handy when you were running from a particularly nasty demon who loved to come up with creative ways to torture poor, unsuspecting victims.

Like Durzi.

Whichello acted as if cheating at cards or sleeping with his most cherished consort were bad things. It wasn’t as if the demon didn’t have plenty more to choose from, and what did he expect from a soul-sucking demon? Honesty and integrity?

It was a pain in the ass sticking to Morton’s side. Durzi had to not only ensure nothing happened to his rotund signal jammer, but he had to always stay within range as well.

Which meant he couldn’t stray too far from the obnoxious human.

It wouldn’t have been so bad if Morton knew how to have fun, but the guy was as exciting as dripping water, and his condescending tone made Durzi want to pick his bones clean. Morton had no idea how many times he’d come close to ending up as nothing more than an empty husk of a human.

“Although I’m pretty pissed at you, Seth.” Morton took a sip of his drink, his voice pulling Durzi from his thoughts. “How can Wesley hustle when you beat the shit out of him?”

“I gave him a love tap,” he said dismissively. If he’d actually kicked the human’s ass the way he’d really wanted to, Wesley would’ve ended up in traction and on life support. He’d popped the twink in the gut with the back of his hand. Big whoop.

It was pretty convenient Morton didn’t mention the fact he’d smacked Wesley across the face or choked him. But sure, blame the demon.

Morton narrowed his muddy-brown eyes. “I’ll give you a signal when I want someone roughed up.”

You already give me the only signal I need. Morton could shove the rest of them up his ass. Taking out his frustrations on humans was the only thing that brightened Durzi’s miserable days.

Well, he also liked smoking blunts. They didn’t get him high, but he liked the putrid taste and the way the smoke smelled.

“I run things around here, not you,” Morton continued with a sneer. “Never forget you can be replaced.”

He would really love to see the human try. The only reason Morton wasn’t tied up in a basement with a feeding tube was because Durzi would be stuck in there with him.

Morton should consider himself lucky Durzi loved his freedom and knocking humans around.

“Have someone sit on Jackson and his son. I want to know the moment they’re released from the hospital.”

The things I put up with in order not to die a horrific death. “How do you even know they’re in the hospital?”

“Because you beat the shit out of Wesley, moron,” Morton snarled.

It was a goddamn love tap!

“And before you ask why I want them watched, a good businessman always keeps an eye on his money. The sooner they’re released, the sooner they can…” Morton stopped talking and just stood there.

---