Page 296 of Satan's Spawn

I know I need to pull it together, make him feel confident we can get through this, even if it hurts like hell to be away for so long. Because there’s not a shadow of doubt in my mind that I want to wait for him.

“Weren’t you the one preaching about belief a few minutes ago?” He tries to joke, but I don’t have it in me to laugh because my heart is still breaking.

Regardless of the pain, I put on my best poker face, climbing to my feet with Crayton then dusting off my pants. “Yes, you’re right.”

Cillian steps next to me, placing a supportive palm on my shoulder. I place mine on top of his hand to support him too.

“You’ll always have me here, Rebecca,” he reassures. “For anything you need.”

I offer him a sideways hug. “We can sulk together, I guess.”

Crayton rolls his eyes. “Hallmark moment over.” He clutches my upper arm. “We’re outta here.”

He starts dragging me away from his dad, his lawyer, and the audience I didn’t realize was watching. I’m about to ask where the hell we’re going, but Cillian does it for me.

“Crayton, where the hell are you going?!” He bellows out behind us. “There are things we need to discuss.”

“He’s right, Shaw. We should really sit down!” Micah jumps in.

Crayton flips them both off, shouting, “Oh there’ll be sitting, trust me!” He leans closer to me. “But it’ll be you on my face.”

49

CRAYTON

It took several days of preparations before reality hit that I’m leaving.

I talked a big game in the courthouse after the trial ended, promising Rebecca shit will be okay when in reality anything can go wrong in prison.

I’ll be spending up to five years fighting to survive in a place where almost everyone prefers to be dead.

Getting the attention of the biggest motherfucker.

Having to fight him too.

An extended sentence because of it.

Or a shank to the neck.

I’ve spent my entire adult life choosing violence, and now I’ll be forced to avoid it by all means necessary if I want to get back to Rebecca.

I think that’s what scares me the most, losing her when I’m trying so fucking hard to turn things around.

It’s a lot to consider, none of which I mentioned to anyone, because if I show even a glimmer of doubt, Rebecca will drown in hers.

So here I am, convincing everyone else I got this shit on lock when in reality I’m going in blind and defenseless.

The universe can be a vengeful cunt when she wants to be.

“So Cray Cray,” the asshole Riggs jumps next to where I’m sitting on Levi’s patio, bumping my shoulder. “Whattya think about lettin’ me babysit that sweet ride of yours while you’re inside?”

That earns him a shove onto the ground.

“Damn, man.” He blows out a breath as he stands. “You better put all that crazy away now while you still got full sized pockets.”

You know you’re royally screwed when Riggs manages a solid point. I need to work on my damn reflexes or else I reallywillbe going toe to toe with someone in Wayside.

“Raven is off limits to everyone except Rebecca.”