I glance up at him, his expression drenched in apology. “I know,” I whisper, instantly wanting to spare him any guilt because, he’s totally right.
His eyes look away, “Jesus, I feel like a jerk.”
“No, don’t,” I reach out. “It’s okay, I’m okay,” I admit and he gives me a ghost of a smile. I tilt my head when something else comes to mind. “How did you tell before? You know, if they had a soul,” I swallow, “or not?”
His lips twist. “I didn’t, I had to wait until the person did something,” he shakes his head, “something horrific.”
I close my eyes. “Like killing for revenge.” I whisper to myself.
He gives me a slow nod. “I can’t take the chance that he’ll go straight for Tammy or Camilla.”
“You’re right,” I murmur under my breath. “I get it, but I don’t like it.”
“Me neither,” he admits, “but it’s the only way to be sure.”
I glare at the ground. “So, what, we just wait for him to literally come out of the earth and give us a high five?”
His face clears. “No high fives, but,” he says, pulling out a thick, white envelope from his back pocket. “When he comes up and you confirm his soul is intact, I’ll give him this.”
I glance down. “What’s that?”
“Cash,” he admits “enough for him to leave this city and start a new life.”
“Damn,” I shake my head. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.”
“I’m sorry,” he takes my hand. “I promise to make it up to you.”
My brows push together. “It’s not about that, you know…”
I stop, jerking my eyes to the ground when I hear the sound of movement. Ascot pushes me back, shielding me as a portion of the earth lifts and then crumbles back down, as if breathing on its own. My eyes stare, glued to the spot as the entire length of the grave begins to sink, uncovering a hand as it rises through the soil. I suck in a breath and cover my mouth, shocked, as another hand brakes through, working its way to the edge. Slowly, the head and upper body of a man wearing a soil covered suit coat and button-down shirt lifts entirely from the earth. Somehow, I manage to stifle a shriek as I hide behind Ascot’s shoulder.
Oh my God, this can’t be happening…
It’s Kevin. It’s really him.
He shakes his head quickly back and forth, removing most of the earth from his hair and his eyes instantly dart over to Ascot and me. I jump, moving further back and lean in to Ascot’s ear. “I-I don’t know if I can do it,” I whisper.
He takes my hand, eyes focused on Kevin and turns his head. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he barely whispers, keeping his voice low. “But I can’t allow him to leave if you aren’t able to…”
“I know,” I cut in, trying to swallow the knot in my throat. “I’m scared, Ascot, this is wrong, it feels so wrong.”
“What the hell is this?” Kevin grunts, pulling the rest of himself out of his grave. “Where the fuck am I?”
“Give it a minute,” Ascot says in a low voice, “it will come to you.”
Kevin cocks his head, confusion clouding his features. He glances down at his jacket, attempting to brush off the excess grime and suddenly stops, lifting his eyes back to Ascot. A slow smile begins to form in the corners of his lips and he laughs. “Holy shit, it worked!” he moves closer, awkwardly clasping his hands. “You are fucking legit, man!”
“You didn’t give me much of a choice,” Ascot deadpans, glancing over his shoulder to me. “How do you need to do this?”
I blink, looking back at Kevin. “I-I, just need to touch him,” my voice shakes.
Kevin’s face contorts. “What the fuck is she doing here?”
“Give her your hand,” Ascot demands, taking my arm as we step toward him.
“No,” he spits, “I’m not gonna let you pull another fast one on me. How stupid do you think I am?”
“She won’t hurt you,” Ascot’s voice is stony and cold.
“Fuck you,” Kevin shouts, “and she can kiss my ass!”
Ascot moves closer, now eye-to-eye with him. “You want your money or not?”
Kevin’s nostrils slowly flare and he gives me an angry look. “Fine,” he growls, reaching out his hand.
I swallow and take a step forward, legs beginning to shake as I extend my fingers, barely touching his cool, clammy skin. Without warning, a thick, brownish-yellow haze begins to whip around him, eclipsing his face and I know immediately. He’s still intact and still very much an asshole…but he’s human.
I hate that he gets to live.
I glance over to Ascot and give him a quick nod, watching his face suddenly clear. He’s obviously surprised.
“Well,” Ascot reaches in his back pocket, “I guess you passed the test.”
Kevin’s eyes narrow, “What test?”
“Never mind,” Ascot shakes his head. “Remember, we had a deal,” he holds up the envelope. “If I give you this money you are free to go, change your name, start a new life, whatever, but you can never, ever contact anyone, and I mean no one in your family.”
Kevin’s eyes go wide as he stares at the envelope. “Yeah, yeah, sure,” he reaches out attempting to grab it from Ascot’s hand but he yanks it back.”
“Gonna have to do better than that, asshole,” Ascot gives him a mocking smile.
I watch a vein pop out in Kevin’s neck. “That’s my goddamn money!” he snarls, his movement clumsy and stiff.
“Give me your word,” Ascot sneers, holding the envelope up and out of reach. “This time, you better be sincere, or I swear I will hunt you down like an animal and put an end to you for good.”
“After what you did to me?” he bites out. “You and that little bitch!” his bulging brown eyes glare at me.
Ascot moves closer to him, squaring his shoulders several inches higher. “You don’t get to talk like that about her,” his voice growls, “do you fucking understand me?”
Kevin gives him a slight, close-lipped smile. “Think I’ll go straight to the cops, tell them who you really are. How would you like that, motherfucker?”
Ascot chuckles. “Jesus,” he shakes his head. “You really aren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you?”
“Fuck you! I think they’d be pretty goddamned interested in what I have to say.”
“You’re supposed to be dead, remember?” Ascot rolls his eyes. “So, go ahead, tell them a Greek demigod brought you back from the dead. I’m sure they would be very interested to hear to your story.”
Kevin’s smile slips, “I could destroy you…”
“Be my guest,” Ascot cuts him off, hands in the air, “the police will either put you in a nut house or think you somehow faked your own death. But either way, you’ll be wishing I never brought you back.”
Kevin blinks, the wheels clearly turning in his head. “Just give me my fucking money,” he whispers, his tone low and defeated.