Page 33 of Lost Soul

“What’s that?” he asks me, his voice shaking almost as fiercely as his body.

“That...” I look at the syringe. “That there, my friend, is a fuckin’ buzz. Pure heroine. None of the shit you get on the streets around here, best shit you will get for fuckin’ miles,” I assure him.

“Probably enough in that hit to take down a fuckin’ rhino. But you can handle it, right?” I grab his shoulders and shake them with fake enthusiasm.

“I’ve never. I mean… that’s probably too mu… much for me. I’ve never had a… a hit before,” he tries to form words, struggling desperately against his restraints and I watch with great fulfilment as he becomes consumed in fear and panic.

“Come on man.” I crouch in front of him, slowly undoing one of the laces from his trainers, then pulling it out completely I tie it tight around his bicep, causing the veins in his arm to pop up like little tunnels. I tap on the inside of his elbow with two fingers and give him a sarcastic smile.

“Please don’t,” he begs so sincerely that my grin almost hurts my mouth. Then with one final wink I grab hold of the needle and stab it deep into his vein, the liquid releases from the syringe and trickles into his bloodstream. Cobie screams and thrusts against the chair, but he’s tied down too tight—Grimm’s expertise again no doubt.

He stares at his arm watching in helpless horror as the substance disappears on a one-way trip. Then he cries, pleading for me to stop, and I wait until the syringe is empty before tossing it to the floor. Levelling my eyes to his, I drain one last look of fear out of them before I tap his cheek.

“Enjoy the buzz asshole,” I whisper into his ear, leaving him alone in the room with just the echo of his screams to keep him company. I slam the door behind me, making my way upstairs where the atmosphere has become a little livelier. Squealer’s now awake, and the whore whose head was wedged between his legs when I’d come up earlier has vanished. Screwy sits on a chair staring across the room at absolutely fuck all. And then in the corner of the room, I spot the guy I’m looking for.

“Tac,” I call over. He lifts his head from the table rubbing his smooth head in his hands.

“What?” he rasps back.

“The kid still need skin for practice?” I ask, and he half nods back at me, still not fully functional.

“Been practicing on pig skin, done a few things on the brothers. He’s good.”

“Tell him to bring his kit here, I got him a volunteer.”

“You want more ink?” Tac asks knowing I’m not as inclined to tattoos as most of the others are, the only ink I’ve got is club related.

“Not me.” I pull the bottle of Jack out of an unconscious Troj’s hand and knock back a large mouthful.

It doesn’t take long for Nyx to show up, with a holdall slung over his shoulder. I’ve never seen him look so eager, and there’s almost a hint of excitement in his expression.

“Follow me.” I lead him to the foyer and then down to the basement. When we walk into the room, it’s silent, Cobie is out, just like the doc assured me he would be. Nyx turns his head to me, confused.

“Blank canvas for ya kiddo, he should be out for at least eight hours.” I pull up a chair next to the limp body and gesture for Nyx to sit down.

“What’s the deal?” he asks, and because I got respect for the kid, I tell him.

“Just been taught a lesson about what happens to dealers in Manitou Springs. Fucker went out thinking I’d jacked him up with enough heroine to take out a fuckin’ rhino.” I pull at a tuft of Cobie’s fringe and roll his head back.

“Just something I got from the doc to send him under for a while is all.” I wink, and Nyx looks impressed.

“So I get to do whatever I want?” he checks.

“Anything, cover him from head to fucking foot for all I care.”

“What shall I do if he wakes up?” he asks, a snigger appearing on his face that reveal dimples I never knew he had.

“Keep goin’ if you haven’t finished, he’s tied down pretty tight. I’ll be in my cabin. Come get me when you’re done.” I leave the kid to work, more than ready to get some sleep now.

“Hey Jessie,” Nyx calls after me once I’m back in the corridor, and I back up shooting my head back around the door. “You really are as fucked up as they say you are, ain’t ya?” He smiles.

I shrug a little cockily before I head up the stairs and get straight on my bike. I’m so tired now, I could fall asleep standing up, but I still drop by the lodge and check in on Hayley. She’s sleeping in her room, no sign of the Prez. I decide not to tell him about what had happened last night, not the Hayley part anyway. All he needed to know is that I’d caught one of the Bastards’ errand boys and shat them up enough not to deal ever again.

I get home and go straight for my bed. My head hits the pillow, and when I finally shut my eyes, Maddy’s beautiful face is emblazed on to the back of my eyelids, and her sweet strawberry smell fills my nostrils. Somewhere in my head I hear her soft voice whisper,

“Jessie, I need you.”

And with the texture of her silky skin still lingering at my fingertips. I give up trying to blank her out, only then do I drift off into a deep, much-needed sleep.

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