Page 117 of Twisted Control

The nurses are really good with Theo, at least. Small mercy in this shithole. One of them’s been driving him to and from school every day, and they let him crash on the little fold-out bed next to mine at night. They’re going above and beyond for him.

I’m grateful for it. Really. Even if half of them are only doing it because they’re dying to give me another sponge bath.

But I need to get the hell out of here as soon as possible. Because Ray’s paying the bill.

That part isn’t good. Being in debt to Ray is never good. But right now I don’t have much of a choice.

She gives me one last lingering look and finally leaves the room.

Ray calls later that night.

I’m half-dozing when my phone lights up on the bedside table. Theo’s curled up asleep on the fold-out bed next to mine, one small hand fisted in the blanket.

I answer with a grunt.

“Got something for you,” Ray says without greeting.

I’m about to remind him I can’t even lift my left arm right now, but he keeps going.

“Normally I’d put your boy on it, but…” He trails off. The silence stretches until it’s uncomfortable. Ray always had a soft spot for Drew. When he called me about what Drew had done, you could tell it pained him to give the order. I’ve never heard Ray sound like that before.

“…you’ll have to do it now,” he finally finishes.

“I’m a little indisposed,” I say flatly.

“Not that kind of job,” Ray says. “Maverick’s wife filed for divorce. She’s coming after half his money. There’s a clause in the prenup,” he continues. “If she steps out, she loses everything. Lawyer says it still holds during separation.”

The meaning clicks into place immediately.

“Jesus Christ.”

“Yeah,” Ray says, sounding entirely unbothered. “Maverick needs proof she’s screwing around. Only she’s not, so you’ll have to change that.”

I let out a harsh laugh that pulls at the stitches in my shoulder. “I don’t do that.”

“Yeah, well…you do now.”

“I’m not fucking some asshole’s wife. You want a gigolo.”

Ray’s voice drops, cold and flat. “You want me to keep covering those medical bills or not? We don’t want that brother of yours ending up on the streets.”

The words land. I glance at Theo, peaceful and asleep.

“You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”

Silence on the line.

“Fine,” I mutter, then hang up before he can say anything else.

I lie there for a long moment, listening to the steady beep of the heart monitor and the soft sound of my brother breathing.

I’ll get out of this damn hospital.

I’ll go fuck Maverick’s wife—how hard can that be?

And then I’ll find Drew.

The End