"Answer me,” I growl.
She opens her mouth, when a voice interrupts us.
"Sometimes we are less unhappy in being deceived by those we love than in being undeceived by them…"
"The fuck?" I angle to the side, spot the owner of the voice, a man sprawled against the wall of the hotel.
He’s dressed in a worn shirt and pants which have seen better days. His matted hair flows to his shoulders. He holds up a sign, that reads,
"And thou art dead, as young and fair..."
"Why didn’t you complete the fucking poem?" I growl.
He appraises my features. The expression on his face is neither happy, nor sad. He’s content.Yeah, fucking imagine that? Bloody blissful motherfucker. This is what not having money can buy you, huh? Peace.I laugh. Then unhook the bloody watch on my wrist. I drop it into his upturned hat.
A sharp inhalation of breath draws my attention. I glance over my shoulder to find Victoria’s gaze fixed on the piece of jewelry I’d dropped.
"Why did you do that?"
"Why not?" I rub the back of my neck. "Why should I be the only one to suffer excesses?"
"That was what, £5000?"
"£30,000."
Her jaw drops open. "You didn’t…"
"I can do anything I want, Victoria."
She wrings her fingers in front her, her gaze roaming over my face, then flicking back to Homeless Guy.
I turn to the man. "Fucking Byron, I hate him."
The man grins, his teeth bright against his lips. Huh? For someone who lives on the streets, he sure has perfect teeth.
"Have a cigarette, mate?" He glances between us.
I glare at him, then pull out the pack of cigarettes in my pocket and hand a cigarette over.
"You smoke?" She scowls. "I didn't know that."
"Lots you don't know about me."
She walks up to stand next to me, grabs the packet from my hand.
"Hey," I protest.
"These things will kill you," she scoffs, then drops the entire pack in Homeless Guy’s lap.
"You worried about me?" I frown
"Of course, not." Her face flushes.
Homeless guy looks between us. "Lighter?" he asks.
"Jesus, fuck. Get your own bloody light."
"Don’t swear," she scolds me.