Page 58 of Debt of My Soul

But Iwasthere. I hauled Adam up into his truck and drove him to the hospital, then waited around for an update from the doctor and left before my family plowed into the room. My father is the only one aware I was there.

“He’s fine,” I repeat, and her lips curl in disgust.Good. Hate me.

Fleur gnaws on her cheek like she’s at war with her mouth. I can tell she wants to ask something else but is fighting it. The fidgeting is driving me up a wall and I sigh, dropping my arms to my side.

“Spit it out.”

She glares at me, but she takes a deep breath and asks, “How much does he owe this time?”

“Seventy-five grand. It’d be a lot less if he hadn’t purchased a new truck.”

She looks down at her lap with her next words. “And … and what do they think I’ll be able to do? Why take me?”

Isn’t that the million-dollar question. This screams of Blitz and Snape. Darrin listens to them too much.

“Aren’t you and Adam together? I think he’d want you back safe and unharmed,” I say, tilting my head to the side to get a better view of her between the bars.

“We hadn’t defined anything.” She crosses her arms back over herself, and I know there is more there. Are they not truly together?

I don’t care. Shouldn’t care. But I find myself leaning forward a bit. A pinch of guilt flashes over her face, and I drop it. It doesn’t matter anyway. She’s here now.

The door to the hall opens and several men shove each other forward, each of them stumbling and leaning against the walls as they trip toward the cell.

“Snape was right. Said you’d be down here.” Tim, one of our dealers, lets out a loud snort, followed by what can only be described as a giggle. Three other men, all taller than Tim, saunter down the hall and I hurry to stand, moving to angle my body between the men and the door.

“Awww, Liam. Didn’t your parents teach you to share?” Tim swings the key to Fleur’s cell around his finger.

I chance a glance back at Fleur, who has shifted backward to the farthest corner of the room. Her eyes seem to cling to mine as if I can offer protection. I both hate it and crave it.

“She’s off-limits until Darrin decides what to do with her,” I growl. Stepping forward, I cut off any continued progress they try to make.

“But D isn’t here. Blitz is in charge.” Tim’s words are slurred and each one of them is staring past me, leering at Fleur with hungry eyes. I know most of these guys are a drink or two away from passing out for the night.

“How about we grab a bottle from Darrin’s private stash behind the bar and finish it off?” I say.

Tim nearly drops the cell key as his eyes widen and a grin plasters across his face. They look at each other and laugh, nodding their heads as they turn around back toward the way they came.

I follow them out, peeking over my shoulder right as I reach the door before passing the threshold.

Fleur’s chest rises and falls rapidly, and she moves forward, both hands gripping the bars in front of her. Relief shines in her eyes, and I’m worried about all the things I’d do to see peace on her face again.

Chapter 24

Fleur

Ichip away at a crater in the concrete. My nail has whittled down to nothing as I drag it mindlessly over the rough patch of mortar.

Liam hasn’t been back since yesterday, which is most likely for the best. I smell. The whole cell burns with every breath I take. The putrid air is stagnant and carries with it a mix of my own body odor that makes me gag. I’ve run my fingers through my hair in thought and worry so many times it’s tangled in too many places.

My stomach rumbles, the gurgle echoing in the silent cell, and I almost miss the thumping music from last night. It drowned out the pains of hunger and the incessant thoughts.

I’m starting to panic—really panic. I half had it in my head they’d let me go by now, perhaps feed me. Each minute that passes stifles my hope, and the words Blitz threatened becomes a bit more real.Dead.

Liam’s presence last night was a morbid comfort. My gut nudges me to trust him, that he doesn’t want me hurt, or want his brother hurt. I cling to that. He gave up six years for hisbrother. That has to mean there is good in him somewhere. Whether it has been snuffed out is another question.

Halfway through the day, I realize no water has been delivered this morning, and when the door to the hallway opens, two distinct voices filter through. I further realize it is on purpose I didn’t receive any water. They’re going to move me.

Two men, who were there the night of the fire, approach the cell and unlock it. There isn’t any lust in their eyes. In fact, they purposefully avoid meeting my gaze. I grip at the hem of the shirt I’m wearing.What is happening?

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