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“He was carrying out his threat,” I say drily, breathing in as I prepare myself to tell Austin the truth All of it

“What threat?” he asks htly I notice his fingers twitching, and I’d bet a full year’s income that he’d like to choke out Lester as much as I do

“Lester, he… Austin, he was forcingout ofup in the air of his apart on in Python”

Austin has nothing on his face He’s quiet

“Shit,” he whispers, looking away froaze outward, to the New York skyline outlooking his wall-to-ceilingpanes Even though it’s still night, the city keeps on glowing, its bright lights cutting through the darkness “I should've known”

“He threatened he’d close my club if I didn’t keep tabs on you,” I say “And he wantedto Mistress Strokes, you called her, I think”

“That fucking bastard,” he whispers again, balling his hands into fists, anger dripping out of his words Oh, he wants to choke Lester, alright “Destiny, why didn’t you trust me?”

He finally turns to ht now, I just wish I could vanish into the ether

“I… I don’t know, Austin,” I start, that sadness inside ofinto desperation

What if he tells et out of his apartment?

What if he tells ain?

It’s in this exact : I’m in love with Austin Price

That’s right I’m in love with Python

I felt it in the way azewar over my dreams I’ inside my head

“I’ers of one hand the times I said these three words, I’m sorry, but they never sounded so real as they do now If only I could turn time back