Page 71 of My Hunger, Your Soul

“You go do your clothes and I’ll take these down to the van,” Ivan says, and I agree.

As I grab a couple of suitcases and begin to pack all my clothes, I have an overwhelming sense of relief that I’m leaving this place. I’m not sad or attached to this apartment. It only represents confusion and loneliness for me and I’m glad to be rid of it.

I’m nearly finished packing when Chase calls me.

“Hey,” I say, as I flop down on my bed.

“Hey. I just wanted to check in to see how you’re dealing with everything after yesterday?” he says, and I love him so much for it.

“I’m actually pretty good. Ivan and I have come to an understanding. I’m at my apartment right now packing my stuff to move.”

“You’re moving in with him? Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?” he says, and not meanly. He sounds pretty excited for me.

“Because I didn’t know until he told me this morning.”

Chase laughs hysterically into the phone and I join in with him. It's nice to be able to talk to him about this stuff and that he understands what I’m going through. As the laughter calms, we sit without speaking for a few moments.

“You’re leaving aren’t you?” I say, knowing he doesn’t want to say goodbye again.

“Yeah we are. He hates New York, and doesn’t want to be here longer than necessary.”

“He hates everything apart from you,” I say.

“Yep.”

“Where are you going this time?”

“We’re going to the Maldives tomorrow. Noah had a last minute meeting, so I’m just getting everything organized. We want some quiet time and warmer weather. I’ll call you when we get there.”

“Have fun and don’t forget about me.”

“Never. Love you big brother, be happy.”

“You too, Chase.”

As the call ends I’m so sad, as I don’t know when I’ll see him again, but I’m also so happy that we have both found the happiness and peace that we’ve been searching for since childhood.

It’s time for us to live our lives.

36

IVAN

It’s ten o’clock at night as I step aboard the boat with Noah and Jules. Call me crazy, but I was expecting some huge ship, but in fact it’s just an underwhelming boat with a few small containers on it. Carlos’ men already have Timmy on deck, bound and ready to feed to the fishies. Carlos has been extra thoughtful and brought along another boat so we can disembark when the job is done. I have zero intention of being out on the water all night and freezing to death.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, bringing him? Dima and Lev will flip out,” Jules says to me as we move over towards Timmy.

“Don’t worry about it. Leave it all to me. You just stand to the side and look pretty.”

“I’ve never been called pretty.”

“Okay, stand and look tough.”

Jules rolls his eyes, moves over to the other side of the deck, and takes his phone out, no doubt texting Kai. The boat starts moving and myself and Noah stand over Timmy who is trying to call out, but it just comes out as muffled sounds behind the gag the guys have put on him. Even if he didn’t, the sound of the engine and water would drown out his cries. After ten minutes or so have passed, and we are a good distance from shore, I turn to Noah.

“Ready to do this?”

Noah is dressed all in black, his hoodie under his leather jacket drowns his head and face. All I can see are intense eyes, focused in on its target.

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