Page 29 of Fury

“I’m gonna go back and update the boss,” he adds. “Let me know if anything changes.”

I follow him to the door, and once he’s left, I go back into the kitchen, where Xanthe is scrubbing the table as the aroma of bleach fills the air. “I’ve got to stay here,” I tell her. “Until Logan is well enough to leave.”

“Great,” she mutters.

“None of this is my fault,” I tell her.

“I never said it was.”

“But you’re pissed with me.”

“I’m pissed with all of you,” she snaps. “Fuck.” She slams her hands against the table.

I go to her and pull her against me. “We’ll think of something.”

“How? You can’t even get yourself out of the shit with him.”

“I’m only here cos my Pres wanted to punish me. Once I get back and tell him all this, he’ll get me out.”

“That doesn’t mean he’ll get me out,” she mutters. “I really think we should go to the police.”

I smile sadly, cupping her face until our eyes meet. “Xanth, it’s not as easy as that. The police can’t protect you from him.”

“But you can?”

“I’m gonna try.”

“What do you do for him, Reese? Why are you covered in blood?”

“It’s Logan’s blood,” I lie. “We tried to help him, but there was too much claret, and we couldn’t stop it.”

We hear footsteps and break apart right as the doctor comes in. Placing some meds on the table, he states, “Painkillers, every four hours. If anything changes or he deteriorates, call me.” I give a nod, and he leaves. I follow him, making sure to bolt the door.

When I return, Xanthe is looking at the label on the meds. “These are foreign,” she says. “I don’t even know what they are.”

“You heard him—they’re painkillers.”

“I don’t know that for sure, Reese. I’d be risking my licence if I give out unprescribed medication. Why was that man struck off?”

“I’ll give them to Logan,” I reassure her. “Don’t worry.”

“You won’t answer my questions,” she cries, her words laced with frustration.

I sigh heavily. “It won’t help even if I do.”

She shakes her head, her eyes full of sadness. “I need to shower,” she mutters, heading for the stairs.

I nod, following. “I’ll sit with Logan.”

I sleepin the chair in Logan’s room. Xanthe doesn’t come to find me, so I assume it’s what she wants. When the sun rises, I give Logan his meds then go downstairs, where I find her at the kitchen table. She looks exhausted, and I offer a sympathetic smile which she doesn’t return. I don’t blame her. She associates me with Donnie.

“I need to go see my Pres,” I tell her. “I’ve given Logan his medication. The doctor is calling in around nine. I should be back for then.”

“Right,” she mutters.

I sigh. “I’m going to find a solution, I promise.”

Axel senta message last night to say church would be at eight. He’s getting strict on shit like that, and if anyone shows late, he adds extra onto subs.

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