Page 61 of My Revenant
“What makes you say that?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Maybe, but we won’t know unless I try. Maybe I’ll surprise you.”
I doubted that, but what else did I have to lose? I eyed the door, where I’d intended to go outside to smoke, before I sat back down on the bed, pulling the lighter from my pocket and rubbing my thumb over the engravings. This lighter had meant so much to him, but he’d given it to me anyway.
Dex had given me so much for someone who had so little.
“Love is supposed to be good. It’s supposed to make you better,” I told him, and it felt like ripping a scab off a wound that could never heal. “My love made him worse.”
twenty-five
Dex - Past
DEVIL OR COYOTE?
I’d expected to find Archer at the Strays’ house, but when I arrived it was Henrik who was waiting for me. Archer had been around less and less lately. I didn’t even know where he lived. The bastard was almost as private and guarded as his twin. Whenever we met up for Strays-related business andotherbusiness, it was here.
I’m pretty sure Archer didn’t want anyone to know he was gay. In contrast, I didn’t give a fuck who knew about my sexuality. I might never have known, or cared, about who he was into if he hadn’t suggested ourarrangement.
There were never any emotions involved between us. I respected the man, but I didn’t have an ounce of romantic feelings for him, just as he didn’t for me. It was just physical between us, and it was very limited, because he preferred not to bottom and I refused to even try. Mostly it was blow jobs and hand jobs, just a way to let off some steam. He hadn’t particularly cared when I told him it was over. Just said “fine” and then tasked me with retrieving the money someone owed him but swore they couldn’t pay.
Surprise, surprise, when I’d paid them a visit, that money had magically appeared.
“Get it?” Henrik asked, straight to business as I expected.
“Most of it,” I answered, pulling out the envelope of cash and tossing it over to him.
He pocketed it. I wasn’t concerned. Archer ran this thing, but Henrik was his twin and far closer to the man than I ever cared to be. I trusted he’d give it to his brother.
“How’s your hunting going?” Henrik asked me, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. I knew little about the man, who he was into beyond the occasional times I’d seen him flirting with Becca. Didn’t really care. Becca seemed smart enough not to get seriously involved with him.
“Very successful,” I told him. “I’ve caught myself a rabbit.”
“Congratulations.” Henrik smiled, and it seemed genuine, but he was always a tough one to read. “Will your rabbit be joining us?”
“No,” I answered quickly. I wanted Jonah to be close to me at all times, but not here. It wasn’t safe. I wouldn’t let him be tainted by this part of my life.
“Pity, he’s a pretty one. Wouldn’t mind seeing his face around some more.” So it seemed Henrik liked men too. That was fine, except that wasmyman he was talking about.
“I don’t share, Hound,” I told him, a warning in my eyes as I stepped forward, and he raised his hands in placation.
“Calm down, Devil. I’m not going to take him from you. I’m just saying he’s pretty. He seems feisty. Maybe he would do well here.”
“No,” I told him again. It didn’t escape me that he’d called me Devil. We all had names here, ways we referred to each other through messages and when we weren’t sure who was listening. Archer had given them to us: Wolf, Hound, Fox, Jackal, Raven, Bull, Cupid, Snake, Reaper, Ghost, Halo, Knives… the list went on. I was Coyote.
“Where did you hear that name?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “A birdy told me.”
“Birdy…” I made a pensive sound. “Or a Bee?”
Henrik smiled. “So… you don’t trust him, or you don’t trust the others?”
I trusted no one. Not ever. “He’s not one of us.”
“Hmm. Maybe. Maybe you would feel differently if you were the one running things. You could use them to keep him safe. To keep him yours.”
