Page 83 of Penny For Your Thoughts
I squared off with Darcy. “I know what I’m asking isn’t ideal. I know you don’t want to do it, and you’re afraid it might get you in trouble, but I’ve got your back. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. Are you still going to be here in the morning?”
Darcy stared for a long time, indecision written all over his face.
“I don’t want you back in that apartment,” I added.
“Why do you care what happens to me?”
I’d asked myself the same question a dozen times since dragging his ass home, and the answer was simpler than I expected. “Because I’ve been down that road, kid, and trust me, it’s unpleasant. The sooner you can escape, the better.”
“I’m not a drug addict.”
I shrugged, unwilling to argue semantics.
“Are you really going to help me?”
“Areyougoing tohelpme?”
Darcy nodded, his twig-thin arms hugged tightly around his frail frame. He didn’t look old enough to face the world by himself. He had flaws, undesirable qualities, and no one on his side. A scenario I was all too familiar with. I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing, but I was doing it.
“I’ll do what I can to protect you, kid. You have my word.” I held out my fist, and Darcy bumped it.
Then, he turned away quickly like he was afraid I might see the shimmer in his eyes.
I feigned ignorance and went inside.
I knew how important it was to put on a strong front for the world, no matter how weak you felt. I would give Darcy that dignity and hoped that he would learn to trust me.
***
I found an extra blanket and pillow in the hall closet. Darcy cocooned himself, curling into the fetal position on the couch, only his face poking out.
He finally stopped shivering as I went through the messages on the burner again.
“Are you sure you’re gay?” he asked.
I chuckled. “Yeah. Pretty fucking sure.”
“I’m not a phobe. I just… It surprised me. That’s all. You don’t talk gay, and like, you’re not flamboyant or anything.”
“Those are stereotypes.”
“Okay. Cool.” The heat of his gaze warmed my face as he studied me like I was an aberration. “I never met a guy like you before.”
“Go to sleep, Darcy.”
“Okay.” Another long pause. “I’m sorry I made your nose bleed earlier.”
“Didn’t even feel it.” I tossed the phone aside and rooted around the fridge for a can of sugary pop or something to satisfy the craving for alcohol. I was out of Dr Pepper, and the only carbonated drinks Tallus enjoyed were allZeroorDiet. I hated that shit.
“Do you, like, lift weights or something? You’re crazy huge. I always thought gay men were—”
“Kid, shut your fucking trap and go to sleep.”
“Yeah. Okay. Good night.”
I closed down the apartment but stayed up to finish the brat’s laundry. Once he finally stopped yammering, he was asleep in no time. I spent another hour pacing a strip off the floor, processing the evening, and contemplating next steps. In the morning, we would hopefully draw Luke from hiding, and I could make headway on the case. I would eventually have to pass it off to the police, which I fucking hated. I didn’t know what I would do about the kid, but it was a problem for later.
By the time midnight rolled around, I’d worn myself out. I couldn’t watch Darcy the entire night. I had to trust my gut and hope I hadn’t lied to Tallus. If he robbed us blind, I would be pissed.
