Page 131 of The Devil's Deceit

“He-he beats me,” she says. “He hurts me.”

“She’s off her rocker,” the guy spits. “She fucking loves it.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I snap. One more word out of him, and I’ll shoot the fucker myself. “Rebecca, I can help you. Just put the gun down, and I promise you, he’ll never hurt you again.”

Her eyes flicker in my direction. “You can’t stop him.”

Oh, I can.

“Please, trust me. I know I’m a stranger, but I will help you. Put the gun down.”

“I just want to be safe, and for Isla to be safe.”

“You will be, both of you. I promise.”

Several seconds pass, and then she lowers her arms and sets the gun on the table.

I let out a breath. “Well done, Rebecca.”

I take a step toward her.

The man lunges, snatching up the gun. He points it at Rebecca. “You fucking bitch.”

“No!” I fly across the room, catching my thigh on the corner of the table. I lose my balance. The gun goes off.

There’s absolute silence. I can’t hear anything. I blink. Why am I on the floor?

Get up.

My legs won’t move.

Why’s my shirt got red on it? It’s white. It should be white.

Woozy.

Cold.

Lights hurt my eyes.

I close them. Better.

“—bias. Tobias, hang on. Fucking hell, hang on.”

So tired.

“Call an ambulance. For fuck’s sake, move.”

Weight on my chest. I cough, my eyelids flickering open.

Frank.

I try to smile, but my lips won’t move.

“Stay with me, buddy. I’ve got you. Fucking hell, don’t you dare die on me.”

Die? No. Sleep.

Sleep now.

Darkness.