Page 28 of The Fall Guy

I frown suddenly feeling unsure of myself. He’s talked about trusting people before, and I thought I was safe until the Felix incident. I haven’t thrown my weight around or pissed anyone off.

I wonder what Ernie and Max will think of the assault. Do they see me as weak, like Rio? If I wasn’t locked in here, I could investigate, figure out what the consequences of today’s attack are.

“No one wants me dead. Except perhaps my sister-in-law,” I say jokingly, but the words feel weird in my mouth. I went down for my brother; she doesn’t need to get rid of me. I’m literally trapped in this hell with no way out unless the truth comes out.

“What quarrel do you have with your sister-in-law?”

I shake off any of the doubt that rippled through my gut. “It’s nothing.”

He steps into my space, taking both my wrists. “You need to figure out who would cough up money to have you put in an early grave.”

Woah. Who said anything about there being a price on my head? Brad said Rio is a hitman. Is the reason he initially tried to strangle me because someone paid him to take my life? I’ve been trying to ignore the mobile phone he has hidden inside his bed, but now a red flag is waving vigorously in front of my face. He wasn’t flirting with me that first night; he was thinking about murdering me.

“Why didn’t you kill me that night with the pillowcase? You’ve shown me today you were more than capable of using brutal force. Why haven’t you already completed the job and cashed in the money?”

“You know why,” he says with a certainty I don’t feel.

I swallow before glancing down at his grey cotton trousers. His erection is standing out proudly. His lust is the reason he didn’t kill me. It’s the tension that sparks between us. I’d be lying if I said it was one sided. The connection goes both ways even if I’ve struggled to admit it. My mouth feels dry, and I look away.

I can’t decide whether giving in to temptation would be a good or bad idea.

Then it hits me. The lines between right and wrong were blurred when my twin brother injured that boy. It’s no longer clear what length Kai or his family will go to when it comes to protecting their happiness. I’ve just figured out why Sonia might snoop through my things and even put a hit out on me. She thinks I might change my mind about being inside and destroy her world.

CHAPTER 13

KADEN

Cleaning wasn’twhat I expected to do before the Sunday service, but here I am with a duster in one hand and the polish in the other. I work the shine into the wood, taking pride in my work, while Max tackles the brass statues. Ernie sits with the priest on the altar, sipping water.

I didn’t talk to anyone about what happened last week in the phone room, and nobody has asked even though I have bruises around my neck. Maybe Rio was right, and if I ask for help, it will be seen as a weakness.

Felix was strong. In a fistfight I wouldn’t be able to take him. He’s also part of a rival gang. Back home, we would look after our own, but the rules are different here. It’s better if I don’t put too much trust in anyone.

Felix hasn’t been anywhere near me, even though I’ve not changed my routine at all. I shower, run, eat, sleep, and repeat. He wouldn’t have to look for me if he wanted to finish the job. It doesn’t stop me looking over my shoulder every so often though.

Rio’s kept his distance too. We’ve barely spoken, and he’s even turned away from me in the bathroom instead of checking me out. I’m on my own, and I still haven’t figured out the rules of survival.

Fresh flowers are brought in, and after cleaning everything up, we place hymn books on the benches. The organist practises a few songs as we finish up.

I sit in the same place for the service and hold back when it’s ended. The priest gestures me into his private quarters, and I take a seat. While he gets a glass of water and guzzles it down, I close my eyes. I’m tired, and it just occurred to me this is the only place I feel safe. The priest isn’t going to cause me any harm. I use my few minutes to truly relax as it’s been a tense week.

“Would you like to talk about anything, child?” he asks.

I flinch, not realising I was falling asleep. “Great service. I’m just tired, nothing is on my mind.” A total lie, but I have trust issues. Even a man of God makes me too nervous to spill secrets.

“This is a safe space; I want you to know that.” He looks sincere, and his soft tone makes me want to believe him.

“I’m glad.”

“Tell me what happened.” He points to my neck. The marks are fading, but the unease they’ve caused still sits heavily.

“Some guy with too much adrenaline got a jump on me.” I shrug. It’s a small olive branch, although it’s a big step for me to offer it.

“Did you not have your knife?” He frowns, like that would’ve solved all my problems but I’d be in trouble with the guards if I’d been caught with a weapon.

“I’d left it in my room. I didn’t want to get caught with it.”

He nods. “Understandable. Have you fixed the disagreement you had with him?”

---