Chapter Eight

  Now

  “So. You’re the guy Alex has running around for him these days.”

  Luke stands a few feet away, hands shoved into the pockets of a battered leather jacket. He glances over Chris, sizing him up with a disgusted look. Chris feels the disappointment in that look. The weight of it. Even a lowlife thug like this guy found him wanting. He knows what Luke is seeing. A mess. He hasn’t washed himself in days, his eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep, he’s scrawny, underfed. His jeans are sporting a nasty rip above the knee and a soaked-through bandage is visible beneath the tatters. The dirt on his sweatshirt looks like it’s been gathering for a few weeks.

  Luke frowns and shakes his head slowly. “I was hoping for someone a bit tougher,” he mutters. “But whatever. Alex says you can get the job done.”

  Chris nods, voice quieter than he intends. “Yeah, I’ll get it done." He thinks about Lily again. It’s all he can think about anymore. The way her voice cracked when she told him everything. The tears. Anguish. Both of them feeling so powerless. Those photographs. Chris hardens his resolve. "I don’t have much choice,” he adds under his breath.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Luke snorts, dismissive. “Whatever man. What’s your name?”

  Chris hesitates. This guy looks tough. Broad shoulders, fresh scabs on his knuckles. Everything about this guy screams danger, like a challenge to the world. Not the kind of guy you want following you home. Not the kind of guy you want knowing your name or where you live. Anything that can be used against you. Chris thinks for just a second and then stares Luke in the eye, straightening his back and trying to silence the knot of anxiety in the pit of his stomach. “Craig,” he lies.

  Luke holds his gaze for a moment, just long enough to make Chris uncomfortable, then snorts again. “Alright Craig. Let’s get in there and take care of this kid so I can go home.”

  Chris swallows hard and flexes his fingers, trying to relax the knots he feels inside. “Alex said we just need to rough him up a little right? Maybe break a few things in the house, scare him?” He rolls his shoulders and cracks his neck. Trying his best to act natural. As natural as a home invasion can be. “Do you even know who this guy is?”

  “I don’t know and I don’t care. I don’t want to know. Let’s go.”

  The knot in his chest tightens, his body screaming at him to walk away. But he nods anyway, resisting the urge. He thinks of Lily again, her shaking hands clutching at the phone, the dark streaks of mascara fresh on her face.

  He can’t walk away.

  “Let’s go,” he says, sealing his fate.

  EXTREMELY grateful for any comments (good or bad, don't worry I can handle it)!

  Anyway, it's finished now. I hope you enjoyed!