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Gabriel never took me. Not like I’d wanted him to. He gave me a handjob, came on my back, then held me.
Instead of dwelling on it, I ask, “Mind if I take a shower?”
“Go ahead, but I warn you, the pancakes will go cold if you’re not quick.”
I stretch, climb out of bed, and wash the filth from yesterday from my soul. The club has tainted me in ways I can never fully clean, but that’s just something I’ll have to live with.
Afterward, I put on more oversized clothes and make my way over to the small table that sits off the side of the kitchen.
“This feels like a dream,” I say as I take a seat and study the utensils.
“Same.”
“You know what you did, right?”
“Rescued you?” Gabe sets down two plates, then sits in the chair across from mine.
“You took down Lowtown’s kingpin.”
“That thick fuck with the pox-marked face?”
“He has people…a lot of them.”
“So do I?”
A vague recollection of our conversation churns in my mind. “You have a safe place…with playgrounds and electricity?”
“I do.”
“Then why were you out? On the streets?”
“Because I was looking for you.”
He’d said that last night, but I could scarcely believe it.
That Gabe would forego his own safety for mine sets my heart ablaze. But while that should fill me with joy, there’s a nagging feeling welling in my gut.
Gabriel is gripping his fork so tight it looks like it will snap. He’s stressed, and that’s on me.
I hate that I’m a burden to him.
“Look, I don’t know how much you remember from last night, but we have a lot to talk about.”
I nod my head slowly, considering his words.
“There’s a place I want to take you to. Doesn’t have to be right now, but soon. It’s a shelter in this fucked up world.”
“Your people want to rebuild…” I say, trying to manifest the conversation from last night.
He swallows, his eyes downcasting to his plate.
“You want to give me to your friends.”
“That isnotwhat I want!” he snaps, his face screwed in anger.
“It’s okay…I’m not mad. The world is what it is. There’s no point in hiding the ugliness.”
“It doesn’t have to be ugly. At least not for you.”
