Page 43 of The Mission

“Worked though.”

Arlo laughed, then cut it off. “I want to kill him.” He sat next to Conrad and gently wrapped his arm around him.

“Don’t you dare. I’ve only just found you. I don’t want to lose you to a murder charge.”

“Rurik will sack him.”

“Maybe, but Mark won’t just accept it.”

“You’re not regretting speaking to the police, are you?”

“No. They’re going to look further into the moving of those poles too. I think they were more bothered about that than our fight.” He pushed to his feet. “I need to clean my teeth.”

“I’ll get you a toothbrush.” He tugged Conrad over to the bathroom.

Arlo found a new toothbrush under the sink and put it next to his toothpaste. “Can you manage?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Arlo sat on the bed and waited. What an awful end to the night. It made him feel sick, thinking about it.

Conrad came out of the bathroom in just his shorts, carrying his clothes. The hospital had cleaned off most of the blood, Conrad had removed the rest. Arlo groaned when he saw his neck and bruised stomach. “Wear a T-shirt when you go with Rurik to the chalet. See how that bastard explains those finger marks.”

“He’ll probably say it was consensual, that I like being strangled.”

“And having your head split open? And being stamped on?” Arlo folded Conrad’s clothes and put them on a chair.

Conrad groaned. “I can’t think about it anymore.”

“Get into bed. I’m just going to use the bathroom.”

When Arlo came out in his sleep shorts, he saw Conrad curled up under the covers.

“Where are you going to sleep?” Conrad had a smile on his face.

“Move over.”

Arlo tucked in behind him and kissed Conrad’s shoulder. “I’m so angry that he did that to you. Whatever happens, he won’t dare touch you again.”

“Do you dare?”

“Not now you’re hurt!” Arlo glared.

“My important parts aren’t hurt.”

“Your head’s important.”

“My head’s telling me I’m exhausted. I was just checking you hadn’t gone off me.”

“Go to sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

“So like a stalker.”

“Keep your shorts on so I’m not tempted.”

“You’re only tempted by what’s in my shorts?” Conrad asked.

Arlo quietly whined.

---