Page 20 of The Fall Guy

“I needed to be away from my family because they were smothering me. Cyclones let me deliver parcels at first and train with some of their hardest motherfuckers in the gym. How many people have you killed?”

“I’ve lost count,” he says with ease. I’ve known people who’ve killed before, but it’s never been malicious. It’s usually in self-defence. I’m both shocked and a little unnerved by this confession.

“What, so you’re like an assassin or something?”

“When was the last time you got laid?”

His question throws me. We’re talking about crimes as dark as taking a life, and he wants to know the last time I got my dick wet. “It’s been a while.”

“I’ve been paid to take a life before.” Wahoo. He says it like it’s just a job. I’ve done things I’m not proud of, but I’ve never gone that far. “What do you call a while?”

“About six months. Why did the police show the night of the drug trade at the sports hall?” It’s my turn to lay on the thick questions.

“My client called them when he realised I’d lured him into the pool area under false pretences.”

A frown easily appears on my face. “Did you kill him too?”

“Have you ever been with a man?”

I blink a few times from the whiplash of our conversation. “No.”

“Yes, I was paid to kill him.”

“Do you ever feel guilty?” I fire back.

“No. It was my turn to ask the questions so now I get two. Have you made yourself come while inside Eastward?”

“No. There’s no privacy in here.” I don’t want to be caught rubbing one out. The showers have no doors, and I have a cellmate.

“I’m sorry. I’ll just leave the room.” We’re locked in, so that’s impossible.

“Funny. What’s your second question?” I’m amused with his humour even though I shouldn’t be.

“Will you let me watch?”

“You’re a disturbed pervert.” My words might be harsh, but he’s flirting with me, and I don’t mind. My voice holds a lightness that reflects how I feel. It’s just a shame our conversations are laced with murder.

He laughs. “Prison would be very dull if I didn’t find my own entertainment.”

“It isn’t an adventure park.”

“You should try hanging out with me instead of your gang.” The first sign of bitterness leaks out of his voice. He doesn’t like the Cyclones. That’s interesting to know. They might’ve interrogated him but they were harmless. There’s got to be more to his dislike of them.

“You smell like more trouble.” I keep my words playful, although I’m trying to figure out what I’ve learnt. He’s avoiding joining a gang, keeping his head down, and pretending not to be a threat. With nine months under his belt, he stayed under the radar. The only person he’s given something away to is me.

He chuckles again. “Maybe you’re right.”

Our conversation should unnerve me, but it doesn’t. I’m confused, hyper-aware of him, and a little turned on.

CHAPTER 10

KADEN

The drizzle doesn’t putme off as I lap the yard for the twentieth time. The gravelled track crunches under my feet with every step.

Ernie sits on a bench near the door, smoking a cigarette. My cravings have subsided, and I’m no longer in a hurry to light up. Smoking and exercise don’t mix. I’ve got more energy since I went cold turkey and more time to burn it off.

Max is a fast motherfucker, and I’m forever failing in his shadow. Sweat drips down my back as I try to keep up with him.

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