Page 42 of Pit

“I think you’ll be going home soon enough,” she adds, and I stare as she takes a seat beside me. “I overheard them talking about it.” I give a slight nod and place the sandwich back on the plate. I don’t know why I’m suddenly filled with dread. “You don’t look so happy,” she pushes.

I sigh. “I don’t really have a home. Well, not yet.”

“They mentioned your husband?”

“I’ve only just married him. It’s his fault I’m here.” I give an empty laugh. “I had it all figured out, and now, this has happened and it’s made me think it all over. What if I’ve made a mistake?”

She smiles kindly, placing her hand over mine. “You can always leave your marriage.”

“I guess.”

“Unless . . . well, unless you’re scared of your husband?”

I shrug. “I don’t know him.”

Lexi frowns. “How come?”

“It was more of a business deal than a marriage,” I admit. “And now, my eyes have been opened,” I add.

She gives a knowing smile. “Pit?”

“He’s not as bad as I thought.”

“They never are,” she says with a laugh. “Have you told him?”

I nod. “He’s not interested. At least, that’s what he says.”

“Yah know, it could just be that you’ve been with him too long and you’re reading into things too much. Go home and then see how you feel.”

The door opens and Pit comes in. I’m instantly relieved. He’s been gone most of the day, and I was starting to worry that Axel had sent him home. Lexi stands. “I’ll come back tomorrow to check on you,” she offers, and I nod in agreement.

Pit doesn’t meet my eyes, but he hands me a set of clothes in black. “Get changed.”

I stare at the leggings and hoodie. “Are we going somewhere?”

“I have a job to get to, and you’re coming.”

“I am?” I’m surprised, seeing as earlier they didn’t trust me to even leave the door unlocked. “How come?”

“Tessa,” he mutters, taking my chin between his thumb and fingers, “don’t ask me questions. Just trust me and it’ll all be over soon.” He presses his lips to mine and then steps back, immediately leaving me cold. He tugs his hood up, something I haven’t seen him do in weeks, and then he sits on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, waiting for me to change.

We ride for twenty minutes before he stops the bike outside a bungalow. It’s quiet, with dim streetlights and no traffic around. The only other building nearby is a school, which is obviously closed. I get off the bike. “Keep your helmet on,” says Pit, also climbing off. “And whatever you do, don’t make a noise.”

“What’s happening?” I ask as he takes my hand and leads me towards the bungalow.

“Remember what I said,” he adds.

He tries the door, and it opens. “Aren’t you going to knock?” I whisper. He gently squeezes my hand, reminding me to be quiet.

We go inside, and Pit heads straight for a door at the end of the hallway. He twists the knob and shoves it, releasing my hand as he steps inside. An elderly man sits in an armchair. He doesn’t look at all surprised to see us. “Finally,” he says, smiling.

“That’s all you got to say?” asks Pit, taking off his helmet. I go to do the same, but Pit stops me, shaking his head.

“I’ve been waiting for weeks,” the man replies. “You took your time.”

“See, I’d be begging right about now,” snaps Pit.

“Why would I?” asks the man. “It won’t help. I’ll save it for when the devil gets hold of me.”

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