I didn’t think so. And if he was in a similar situation tonight, he’d never come to my window. He would die out of spite, just to give me the final middle finger. I needed him to move on. I needed to move on.

What I should've done was pack up his stuff and put it on the curb. Instead, I texted a number that made me feel slimy for just knowing it. Endgame’s boss. The guy that ran all the dealers in the city.

ME: Have you seen him?

The response was instant.

BOSS: Yeah, want me to film his last words?

Shit.

14

TAYLOR

I ran my answers through spell check and then sent them to my professor. My back cracked when I stretched my arms above my head. I walked over to my bag as I listened to Axel snore. He was so content to be dead center in Austin’s bed.

As I put away a few of the things I hadn’t worn this weekend, Austin came into the bedroom. He was pale and scared.

“What’s up?” I left the closet and sat on his bed.

“I’ve got to go get him.”

“Endgame?”

“Yeah. He’s in trouble.”

I didn’t bring up that I thought Endgame was probably in trouble more than he was out of it.

“What’s the plan?” I stood up and paced with Austin.

“I’m not sure. I can’t leave him. I know where he is, but I have no idea if they will let me in to get him again.” Austin began gnawing on his fingernail.

“Where is he?” I had visited the city quite a few times with the Burathons, but I didn’t know my way around.

“It’s mostly a brothel.”

“What are we—in an old timey movie?” I knew my face was showing disbelief.

“I wish. Things would be easier than getting to him now. If I could talk to his boss, I could maybe make arrangements. But I don’t know how to get in.” He paced again.

“What if you had a lady? That you were bringing in?” I wasn’t sure, but most brothels had women.

“No. No way. Sorry, pretty, it’s not a place where you can be.” He put his hands in his hair and leaned over.

“Hey, if you can be there, I can be there.” I touched his back and rubbed. “You helped me so much with Axel and Brutus. I owe you.” I waited to see what Austin needed. Whatever it was, I'd figure it out.

“I just need to get in and talk to him.” Austin looked at me as if he was considering my offer.

“Is this life or death?” I was going to ask the hard questions.

“For Endgame? Pretty much.” Austin’s color drained and his jaw tensed.