Page 111 of Rivals
I slide my hand over the back of her head and grip her neck. She drops her tools, and I pull her into my lap. Her arms loop around me, and she relaxes into my hold. Even if we don’t win this round, this right here makes it all worth it. I can feel that thread of trust slowly getting stronger.
She doesn’t say anything while I hold her. I wait for tears, or maybe she might cuss me out, but she just lets me cuddle her instead. I squeeze her tighter, hoping the contact will help ease the pain a little bit. When she’s touching me in any capacity, even as small as holding hands, it makes the ache ease off just a little. It’s why I can’t seem to keep my hands off her. I guess loving someone will do that to you. Maybe we are both addicts.
Revna wiggles out of my hold and moves to stand. “I’m going to go get some fresh air. I’ll be back in a little bit.” It’s dark outside. Though I think this area is safe, I don’t trust it. Evil doesn’t wait for you to be ready for it. It will come for you when you aren’t looking.
“Ok, I’ll go with you.” She holds out a hand.
“No, Lach, I’m fine, I just…please, I’m fine.” I lean back on my hands and look up at her. She’s buzzing with anxious energy, and it might be good for her to walk it off a bit. Sometimes, the energy build-up is hard to read. The anxiety lets you know it’s there, and sometimes it has to be expended through art. Other times, you have to literally run.
“Fine, but I’m coming out if you aren’t back in ten minutes. Don’t go far.”
She rolls her eyes and slips on a shoe. “Ok, Dad.”
I scoff. “I mean it, Revna.”
“Yeah, whatever,” she says. I watch her stuff her phone in the pocket of her baggy jeans, grab her set of keys, and slam the door behind her.
I let my arms go, lying back on the floor, and take a deep breath, trying to get the tightness in my lungs to go away. My phone is on the couch, so I set a timer and leave it where I can see the countdown. A bad feeling rolls through my gut. I shake it off and get back to work. Sometimes, it’s hard to distinguish if it’s a feeling I should listen to or just the demons making me question everything.
***
The timer goes off, and Revna still isn’t back. I knew she wouldn’t actually listen to me, so I grabbed my own keys and went looking for her.
I step out on the street. It’s quiet, and then I hear a whimper and a plea. My eyes scan the small alleys across from me, and then I see her, pinned to the old brick wall by a man three times her size. He looks like he could snap her in half. My vision goes red, and I run straight for them.
Chapter 66
Revna
Ineededfreshair,that’s true. But when we got back from the art store, I texted the guy from the club and asked him for more X. I know OBA isn’t a thing over here because I asked him about it. But this will work, and at least it will make me happy for just a little bit.
Lachlan knows I’m struggling, and he’s too caring to make me feel like a drug-addicted idiot to say as much. If I’ve learned anything about Lachlan, he will do whatever he has to to make me feel better, even at his own expense. Despite the combination of our issues together, he is the best man I’ve ever known. I hate that I’m doing this to him, but even his touch can’t still this misery that is slowly eroding my soul.
I wait off to the corner of our building. I told the guy to meet me at the address across the street. I want to see him before he sees me. I got a funny feeling from this guy when we were in the club. But beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to the need to slide into blissful oblivion.
I see him walking down the street and come to a stop where I told him to meet me. I wait for a moment as he looks around. I’ve tucked myself into the shadow of the building, and I know he can’t see me. The balmy weather is so nice I’m just wearing a t-shirt. Otherwise, I would be deep in my black hoodie. He looks around, and I take my opportunity to walk across the street.
I know I’m running out of time. Lachlan will come looking for me, so this has to be fast. “Hey,” I say. The dealer spins around to face me and gives me a creepy smile. Maybe there is a reason he no longer lives in the States. Maybe he’s one of those guys who did something and left the country before law enforcement could nail him. I mean, he is a drug dealer, so it wouldn’t be weird.
“Sup,” he says, looking me up and down. I hold eye contact with him and wait. I’m not going to offer the money until he hands me the drugs. I don’t trust him not to take it and run.
He’s a big guy, and I know I would be no match for him, so the three hundred euros he charged would be gone to the wind. “You got the cash?” I nod. He shoves his hand in his pocket and pulls out two little baggies.
“I know you mentioned you just wanted the X, but are you sure you don’t want something a little stronger?” He holds up the bag with white powder, likely cocaine. I’ve tried it before and didn’t like it, though it would probably have longer effects on me. But I liked the way I felt with the X.
“The X is fine,” I say quietly, wanting to get this over with.
“Ok then, it’s going to be five hundred euros. You know, delivery fees.”
I scoff. “That’s not what we agreed on, and you know it. It’s three hundred.”
He takes a step toward me, and I make the same mistake I made with Lachlan and retreat a step back. Only I knew Lachlan wasn’t going to hurt me physically. I mentally slap myself and try to hold my ground as he takes another step, closing the distance between us. Blood pumps quickly through my veins, and my legs buzz, primed to run. “Come on, just give me the stuff, and I’ll pay you what we agreed on.”
“I said it was five hundred,” he says menacingly. Every alert system in my body screams to run, but I don’t because I need what he has. He pushes his grimy hand between my breasts, and I fall into the wall behind me. Fear coats my skin, and I look for an exit. The alley ends with another building blocking it, and I don’t think I’m fast enough to get around him.
“You know what, fine. Three hundred, but you can give me another form of payment.” I freeze. His eyes flare with evil intent, and he slides the little baggie into my pocket and pulls the cash out. I’ve only ever seen that look for one thing. He wants me. My heart thuds in my chest, and my lungs heave as I look for a way out. I don’t have my switchblade because I couldn’t bring it with me on the stupid plane. I should have bought one when I got here.
He shifts on his feet, and I see my opening and take it. My feet move as fast as they can, and I dodge around him. As if I was moving in slow motion, the dealer grabs me so quickly I don’t have a chance to blink. His large hand is on my throat as he throws me against the wall. The breath pushes from my lungs, and I grab his wrist. I’ve been here before, and now I’ve allowed myself to get here again. I kick and scratch, and he just grins at me. He’s about to kill me, or worse. All because I wanted freaking drugs. A whimper bubbles from my lips. “Please,” I cry.
