Page 334 of Dark Love

After all these years, thankfully, Payne knows what I mean without me having to explain. Now I need to deal with the trash... until I can dispose of it properly. “Barb is going to help prepare your girlfriend for transportation to the hospital. Is there anything she needs to know, like allergies and medical conditions?” I step over the glass and slowly make my way to the dead man’s side.

First, get him away from her.

Second, immobilize him as painfully as possible.

Third, get her somewhere safe.

Fourth, shake her until she listens to you.

Fifth, and my favorite, visit with my soon-to-be-dead friend over here. There are so many ways I am going to make him pay for what he just attempted to do.

All you need to do is stay in control… stay sane until you make it to step five.

Calm.

Cool.

In control.

“No. No. None of that is necessary. She does this all the time. I’ve been trying to get her help for her drinking problem.”

“Certainly, the hospital would be the best place to get her the help she needs.” But that wouldn’t fit with your twisted plan, would it?

“The last time she woke up in the hospital, she spiraled for a month.”

Spiraled, huh? I’ll show you someone spiraling.

My hand is inches from him. Close enough that I could use reach out… No, it would be too fast. This slime doesn’t deserve fast. “Must be hard to have a relationship with her.” Especially since I doubt you even know her name.

“It isn’t, but if you knew her before all of this, you wouldn’t be able to walk away either. I’ll just take her home now.”

Not while I’m still breathing. “I need you to come with me first. Just to fill out a form. Liability and all that.”

“Can I come back in the morning to do it?”

No. You’re going to be in a hole in the ground, begging for your mommy before the sun comes up. “I can’t let you leave until the paperwork is finished.”

“Fine, then.” He stands up.

Before he can take a breath, I have him pinned to the wall.

“WHAT… WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Payne walks back in and takes the scene in without the blink of an eye. “Everything is clear for removal. What do you want done with him?”

“Hole. But wait for me.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. This one is mine.”

“Got it. What are we doing with the girl?”

“As long as Barb clears her, I’m taking her home with me.”

Payne raises an eyebrow, but is smart enough not to question me.

“You can’t do this. I have rights.”

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