Page 35 of Ravaged From Fate

“No, I save damsels-in-distress in bars from gang members. Big difference.”

“I wasn’t no damsel.”

“No?”

“Like I’ve said, just answer the damn question, Caspian. Don’t try to avoid it. And I want the truth. I’ll know if you’re lying, trust me. I’m a nurse. I can smell bullshit from a mile away.”

He sighs. This is even worse than drawing water from a stone. “I don’t need to work because I’ve been fortunate to make some money.”

“So mysterious.”

“That’s the truth. I’ve got savings.”

“You know that people are starting to think you might’ve been in the Mafia or something in your past life, right?”

Caspian scoffs at the idea. “Why would they think that?”

“I mean, look at you. Your size. Any gang would love to have you, Caspian. You’re the muscle every Mafia don needs.”

“Thank you for that compliment.”

“But seriously, how did you make said money? Is this getting too personal?”

He chuckles, and I feel a pang of achievement. His defenses are beginning to crumble. “It’s very complicated, Elsa.”

“Try me.”

“I… sold things online. To people.”

“Tech stuff, right? Like Bitcoin?”

And there’s that cute little deep chuckle again. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Fine, keep your secrets, Mister Muscle.”

“Good nickname.”

I point to an offshoot of the main road that turns into a dirt track. “Let’s go up here.”

“Have you done this before?” Caspian asks me.

“I like the walk this way.”

“So you have done this before…”

“Believe it or not, you’re not the only one who likes to walk, Caspian. I like to come here sometimes when I’m not busy.”

“The clinic keeps you busy, then?”

I nod. “Yep.”

“Ah.”

We follow the trail away from the tarmac and into the wilderness. With Caspian by my side, I feel incredibly safe. He’ll save me from anything around here. Deers. Bears. Lions. Gang members.

We continue on.

I’ve brought him this way because I want to show him something.