Page 40 of Gentleman Wanted
“Don’t look.” I covered Parker’s ear with my hand as I pressed his face into my side. “Close your eyes and don’t look.”
Whatever else happened now, I didn’t want him to see Young Blood beat a man to death. I could spare him that, at least.
****
“Gemma?” Parker sounded muffled. His face was pressed so hard into me. He was trying so hard to be brave. To be the kind of man his dad Ruin was.
“It’s ok.” I smoothed back his hair. We were sat on one of the sofas in the basement games room, huddled together as Young Blood paced up and down in front of the door.
“Why is he doing this?” He shot a frightened look at the man covered in blood in front of us.
Young Blood was unravelling. And quickly. Madness overtaking him.
“I don’t know. He’s crazy. But you don’t have to worry, ok. Everything will be ok. I promise.” God, I hoped that was a promise I could keep. “Gent will come. With your dad and the others.”
“What if they don’t get to us in time?” There was real worry in his voice.
“Then I will make sure you get out.” I lowered my voice until it was barely a whisper. Not that Young Blood was paying any attention to us.
“When I attack. You take Bobby and run, ok?” I ruffled his hair before placing Bobby’s finally sleeping form into the young teenager’s arms. “Don’t stop and don’t look back. Just run.”
He shook his head. “I can’t do that. Ruin…”
“Ruin would want you to do as you are told, Parker, and he would want you safe. Promise me?”
“I promise you.”
“Good now, no more talking.” The words had barely left my mouth when Young Blood turned. His face troubled. Any hope that he hadn’t heard our conversation evaporated. “Do you know how my mum died, Parker?”
Mutely Parker shook his head. Unable or unwilling to speak.
“She died because of a crash. And the man who caused it didn’t even try to help her as her car caught fire.” Young Blood sighed. “Can you imagine how scared she must have been? Stuck in that car as it blazed around her. How much pain she must have been in?”
He was crazy. And there was no reasoning with crazy.
“I have nightmares, you know.” He continued to talk to himself. “I can see her screaming and burning. It never stops.” His breath rattled as he exhaled. “The Black Aces will have the same nightmares when they think of you. Chelsea, Ruin.. all of Fenders cronies will never forget the sounds you make as you die.”
He was going to burn us. I realised with a start. Burn us alive.
“Young Blood. Please. The kids are innocent. Let them go.” I pleaded. It was useless. I knew that, but I had to try.
“You know I can’t do that, Gemma. It was meant to be Chelsea, not you. I want you to know that.”
It was only then that I noticed the silver lighter in his hand. It glinted and caught the light.
I moved without thinking. Launching myself from the sofa screaming, I ran towards the door.
It was the distraction Parker needed. Even as Young Blood tackled me to the floor, he rushed past. Bobby clutched in his arms.
“What….”
From my position under him, I forced my knee up into Young Blood’s groin. It was the only thing I could think of doing.
He doubled over, clutching himself.
Hopefully, it would give Parker enough time to get out. That’s all I could hope for. That they would get to safety.
