Page 63 of Seth
“Yes. We also wired his car.”
“Good. Let’s go home.” Gustavo pushed the factory gates open, returned to the car, and yanked open the rear passenger door.
“Hospital, maybe?” Diego tapped his own neck. “You should see the doctor.”
“No. Summon him home.”
* * *
Flooring the gas pedal,Seth sped through the night as if by testing the limits of his car, he could escape the stinging swarm of confused thoughts. The car skidded over the wet road, colorful streetlights reflecting in the wet asphalt and puddles. He almost crashed three times, yet he never eased the pressure on the accelerator.
He tore his hand away from the steering wheel and ran the back of his palm over his lips in an attempt to erase the lingering sensation of the oddly gentle kiss.He pisses me off.
Gustavo’s words, said in a low, penetrating voice, rang in his ears. “I want to know everything about you. Your every little secret.”
I don’t understand… Why didn’t he pull the gun? How can he be so sure of himself? Or was there someone covering his ass, someone I didn’t see?
Seth lifted his palm to wipe his lips again, but his eyes, losing contact with the road, settled on the red, glossy skin and yellowish, thick bubbles covering his palm. Seth instantly recognized the second-degree burn.Damn it.
Once again, Gustavo’s words came to mind.“You are insane if you think killing me is worth mutilating your hand. How are you going to work with such burns?”
Why does he care?The feeling of loneliness Seth experienced when he’d met Gustavo’s worried gaze returned. Once again, he realized how much he missed the genuine concern if he let such a simple provocation get to him.
Seth growled at his own stupidity and weakness. His fist bumped against the headliner. The sun visor flapped open, and the photo swirled in the air and landed on Seth’s knees.
Seth hit the brakes. The tires shrieked, and the car slid sideways on the wet road.
He blinked, staring into the dark eyes of the boy who had watched the world with the same mocking curiosity as Gustavo.
Huh...Suddenly, Seth realized the origins of his loathing toward Gustavo. He was the same type as his first love—Brian Schütz. A self-confident, two-faced, manipulative bully who hid behind the mask of superficial kindness. Hatred filled his chest. Driven by an urge, he shoved his hand into his pocket, grabbed a lighter, stroke the spark wheel, and set the corner of the photograph on fire. The flames turned blue and green as it ate up the glossy surface. Smoke filled the compartment. Seth slid the window down and tossed the burning photo away. He blew a breath out and looked at the lighter. Silver and slim, it was the last physical memory he had left from Flames.
Hatred spiking, Seth ground his teeth and tossed the lighter into the glovebox.I made a mistake.I should have killed Gustavo.
He was about to turn the wheel and drive back to the factory when his phone rang. The unfamiliar number made him frown. Still, he swiped his finger over the screen. He didn’t say anything, sure that his words would be lost in such nasty weather.
“Seth?” Hesitant and shy, Ignaz’s voice stopped his heart. He closed the window and turned the engine off, leaving the car standing on the roadside. “I wasn’t sure if I should call. You said I can…”
“Something happened?”
“N-no… I just… My roommate brought a man in, and I couldn’t stay. I would just walk the streets like I usually do, but it’s pouring. I don’t want to bother—”
“Where are you?”
* * *
Skipping every second step,Gustavo rushed upstairs into the bathroom. He turned the lights on and examined the slightly oozing wound on the side of his neck. It looked insultingly deep for a scratch. Still, the knife missed the vein.
Grabbing a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, he splashed a fair amount on a clean towel, then pressed it to his neck. The sting sharpened, making him wince. Gustavo ground his teeth.
“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you, you know? I could’ve been clubbing.” Hans’ annoyed voice came from behind, and Gustavo threw a glare in the mirror. Wearing only boxers, the young man scratched his belly, then yawned. “What is it? You are bleeding…”
The capricious notes in Hans’ voice sent a needle of irritation into Gustavo’s heart. “Oh really? I’m bleeding? I haven’t fucking noticed, thank you for telling me!”
“What the fuck is going on? I’m calling Diego.” Hans turned to leave.
“You don’t have to. He is downstairs.”
“You met that murderer again, didn’t you? And Diego did nothing…” Without waiting for Gustavo to reply, Hans stormed out of the bathroom.
