Page 61 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

Something has unlocked inside him.

He didn’t even realise that he believed it, deep down.

It was eating him alive.

Danya struggles to catch his breath, wipes his eyes. ‘Blyad.’

‘So what did happen?’

‘It wasn’t nice, I admit. Bloodshed, humiliation. No sex, though.’

‘Promise?’

‘I promise you. I’m sorry, I thought you knew.’

‘I don’t remember any of it.’

‘I worry for you.’

‘Yeah, me too.’

‘So, you will tell him?’

‘Tell him what?’

‘The truth, tovarishch. Now who is being sneaky with words?’

‘Yeah, I’ll tell him.’

He just doesn’t specify when.

Danya says, ‘Is going to get better soon.’

Lachlan leans into him, lets Danya hold him up.

Just for a minute.

Just one minute.

He could fall asleep right here.

Won’t, obviously.

There’s so much work to be done. Always is.

‘Yeah.’

‘You’ll see. Everything going to be OK.’

Lachlan trusts Danya, but he doesn’t believe it deep down.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kade wakes to the smell of soap and steam.

He’s in Riley’s room. His voice is crackly when he calls out, ‘Riley?’

He hears his boss answer. ‘Be right out.’