Part 34 (1/2)

”I can't do that.”

”You said you'd do anything for me.”

”But I need you.”

”No you don't!”

”Yes I do, you're mine.”

”I'm not yours!”

”Yes you are! And you don't have a say in this, so shut the f.u.c.k up or I'll make you!”

”You just said you wouldn't hurt me, now you're threatening me. You're a bull-faced liar!”

Chaz's features screwed up as though Ash had caused him pain. ”Listen to me, I'm not gonna hurt you. I could've killed you by now if I wanted to, but I could never do that to you, cos you mean everything to me. Just thinking about you got me through prison, knowing that when I got out we would be together again.”

”You're f.u.c.ked in the head.”

”Maybe, but I know if you just gimme a chance we could work things out.”

”No! I hate you.”

”Please, just gimme a chance-”

”I gave you a chance ten years ago and you raped me!”

”I didn't mean to.”

”Yes, you did! This is why you've brought me here now, so you can do it again. Well, I ain't gonna let you. I'll rip off your d.i.c.k and shove it down your throat if you put it anywhere near me, you sick f.u.c.kin' paedo!”

”I'm not a paedo! I want you now, so I can't be.” Chaz pointed a finger at him. ”And I went to prison for you!”

”You went to prison cos you're a rapist and a murderer, and I hope they f.u.c.ked you up bad in there.”

Chaz took a step around the bed, his expression now vicious. ”I wouldn't mouth off if I was you, boy, cos you're not exactly in a position to say that s.h.i.+t and get away with it. So, you're gonna learn to love me or else I'll make you f.u.c.kin' pay for everything that was done to me in prison.”

”You hurt me! I didn't hurt you!”

”Bulls.h.i.+t! I lost everything cos of you.”

”I'm the one who lost everything, not you! You killed my mother, my family wuz split up, and I almost committed suicide. So, don't fling your s.h.i.+t at me!”

”You tried to kill yourself?” Chaz said, looking shocked.

Ash's brows knitted together at the memory of the pact he'd made with Llewellyn Davies, another moment from his past he wished he could rewrite. They both had been hurting so bad, that all they'd wanted to do was to escape the pain that had been inflicted upon them-something he wished he could do now.

”Oh G.o.d, I'm so sorry, Ash,” Chaz said heading for him again.

”Back off!”

Chaz stopped at the foot of the bed. ”Calm down, I was only gonna hug you.”

”I don't want you touching me, let alone near me!”

”You slept in my arms earlier, and nuthin' happened-”

”I what?” Ash said, horrified.

”I wanted to hold you, and I didn't touch you below, plus you seemed to like it. You snuggled right into me. It was lovely holding you like that.”

Ash felt like throwing up, the thought that he'd felt safe in the arms of his mother's killer and his rapist horrifying him, because he remembered the arms that had held him and the lips that had kissed his hair, his forehead and his eyelids. He wanted to stop thinking, to not allow the image to form in his mind. Although he hadn't been aware of what he'd been doing, he felt like he'd betrayed his mother. He didn't think he could hate Chaz even more than he already had, but right at this moment he did. And Chaz would do the same thing to him again in a heartbeat, because all the man cared about was his sick perverted fantasies-not him.

Ash lowered his head, wis.h.i.+ng he could at least unbind his feet so he could propel forward faster, but if he launched himself hard enough he would still reach his target.

Chaz pointed a finger at Ash. ”Don't even think about attacking me again, cos you're not only chained to that bed, you're chained to me: you'd die out here without me.”

”Good!” Before Ash could think things through, he launched himself at the wardrobe, ramming his head into the mirror door. He fell backwards, Chaz's shocked cry cutting off as Ash lost consciousness.

30.

Dante ”Everyone's been looking for you, Son.”

Dante jolted awake. Disorientated, he sat up, gradually focusing on the tall figure above him. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, wondering whether he was dreaming.

His father squatted down in front of him, the tattooed lines of his full-faced moko blurred by the night. ”I've been looking everywhere for you, then I remembered this old tree. You always came here when you thought you were in trouble.”

”Then I should be living here permanently.” Dante wiped the side of his face, brus.h.i.+ng off grit. It had been light when he'd arrived at the beach, the walk taking hours. Although he knew he shouldn't have returned to Claydon, that it was a stupid thing to do, he couldn't think of anywhere else to go, because there was no way he was heading to Craven's like Ash had wanted. No doubt the boss would shelter him, but he'd rather be stripped naked and marched down Queen Street with a tickertape parade than ask for help from that b.a.s.t.a.r.d, because there was always strings attached with the boss-nothing was free, and everything cost more than money could buy.

”Did Juliet call you?” Dante asked, pulling his hoodie over his head. With the night, came a chill air, the sea breeze biting. ”She always did like to dob on me.”

His father sat down next to him. ”Sledge rang first. He told me 'bout the murder-”

”I didn't kill Len!”

”Oi! I know that, so don't jump down my throat.”

Dante glanced out over the dark expanse of the Manukau Harbour, the water looking like slick oil under the moonlight. ”Ash didn't believe me, but at least he didn't cut me out.” He sniffed. ”I s'pose I should be grateful for that at least.”

His father let out a long sigh, like he was expelling his demons, which he had plenty of, his past a basket case of mistakes and misery. ”Chaz killed Len,” he finally said.

”What?!” Dante's head snapped around.

”A neighbour saw him enter the property.”