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Ian checked Rinn's pulse again and made a grim discovery—it was steady. "No," he moaned. "No. I gave you twice the dose."

Another sharp shock of pain through his body made him tremble but the sight of the serene, youthful face before him left him numb. It didn't take.

It didn't take and he wrestled with the thought of what to do next. Short of forcing cleaning fluid down her throat, he was at a loss. The very idea made him cringe.

He hunched, fighting back tears. This wasn't how it was all supposed to go. This was wrong—he knew. But leaving her to the mercy of The Colony without him to protect her was a more terrifying thought. He'd seen what one stray psycho could do with a comatose body.

He had to do this. He had to find a way to do this. Today was the third night in a row he'd eyed that dagger. He should have been a man about it. One stab and it would be over. But where...? Not her neck, the same neck he'd slept with his face in a hundred times. Her chest? Right through the heart like the piece of shit he was.

Each attempt he made to pick up that knife robbed him of all courage.

For yet another night, he sat back on his haunches, ignoring his own pain, watching that innocent face.

"I let you down again, love. But you're not giving me much of a choice." Staggering to his feet, Ian pressed his hand against the wall and whispered the command code.

A face appeared on the smooth white surface.

"You again, mutt? Whatddaya want?"

In absolute contempt, Ian demanded, "My money back, you son-of-a-bitch. It's another dud."

The man on the screen was usually inhospitable. Today he looked less concerned and more terrified. "What is this?"

"I said I wanted poison." Ian slammed his fist against the wall. "I said something gentle, not this shit."

A faster response would have put Ian at ease; it was what he readied himself for. When another shock of pain tore through him, he hunched over and braced himself against the wall.

"Listen," the man on the wall began, "...you've worked for us for a good while, and I'll be honest, the nature of my job says not to ask any questions, but I'm asking; what is wrong with you? Who needs this much substance?"

Ian composed himself. "It didn't work."

"Lad, I gave you enough to take out a small section of The Colony herself. And although I usually don't care what happens to the product after a purchase, I'm starting to doubt the wisdom in dealing with you. Especially without the boss's knowledge."

The screen flickered, indicating it was about to shut down.

Ian pleaded, "Wait." When the screen steadied, he swallowed down his pain and tried to smile. "Don't be like that. Don't put me on no block list. I've still got two jobs to deliver. And that big one, aye?"

Arms folded; the man leaned back in his chair. "I know you're good for it; that's why I put up with you. That and you know that if you screw me over, I'll hunt you to your dying day."

Any quick retort Ian might have made died in the back of his throat at the next shot of pain.

"I need something stronger," he finally managed. "Something...gentle, but stronger." Head hung, he let out a haggard breath and whispered, "She deserves that much." I can't cut her up, he decided. I won't. I simply won't.

"There is nothing stronger, Tellman. And if you don't believe me, you're welcome to try it on yourself."

(Continue this excerpt of the first chapter in the book "When I See You" ) Link in the comment →

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