“Maybe I’ll get Vale to talk to you, too.”
“Please do.I worry about him almost as much as I worry about you.”
It was one of the reasons Cyril loved her so much.
He hated having to hang up, but he did because he wanted his mother gone as quickly as possible.When he was done, he put his phone down on the bed and wrapped his arms around Oscar.Hereallyhoped this wasn’t the last time he’d talked to his mother.
Chapter Eleven
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CYRIL WAS ALREADY GETTINGused to having everyone around the apartment.It was going to be sad when they all went back to their normal lives, but Cyril would rather have that than have to deal with the Organization any longer than necessary.Hopefully, they’d all make it out alive, but there was a real chance that some of them would get hurt, and he didn’t know how to deal with that.He didn’t want to lose any of his friends, and the fact that Robbie still hadn’t arrived made Cyril feel slightly nauseous, though.
Cyril glanced at the group gathered in the living room.He was especially worried about Robbie since he was the only one who didn’t have training.Well, neither he nor Cyril had training, but at least Cyril could use his ability, even though it would be complicated in a fight situation.He could manage, or at least, he hoped so.Robbie, on the other hand, didn’t have anything to help him.
That wasn’t something Cyril could focus on.Robbie was here to stay, and nothing Cyril would say would change his mind.Hopefully, his friend would agree to stay behind when they finally faced the Organization.Cyril would already be worried enough about everyone else without having to wonder if Robbie was still standing.
Which meant that his absence today was a problem.He’d promised he’d help, and he had until today.He was supposed to be here, but he hadn’t shown up, and he hadn’t answered his phone when Cyril had called.Cyril had tried not to be too obsessive and had only called three times, but he was getting worried, or rather, he was gettingmoreworried.
He looked down at the phone in his hand.Should he call again?Should he send a message?Would Robbie even answer?Maybe he was taking a nap.If that was the case, he’d kick himself when he realized he’d missed this meeting.He wanted to be involved, even though he was at a disadvantage.Cyril understood.If things were different and he wasn’t one of the two people at the center of this mess, he’d want to help his friends, too.
“You can try calling again if you’re anxious,” Vale said, gently knocking his shoulder against Cyril’s.
Cyril looked up and smiled.“That obvious?”
“Very much so, but it’s one of the reasons everyone here loves you.You care.”
“It’s just weird that he’s not here, isn’t it?He insisted that he wanted to be involved, and now he’s not coming?”
“I’m sure he’s fine, but like I said, if you’re worried, you should call him again.”
“What if he doesn’t answer?”
“We’ll deal with it.”
Before Cyril could even unlock his phone, Vale’s phone started vibrating on the coffee table.Everyone fell silent and stared at it.Vale did the same for a few seconds before huffing and snatching it up.He didn’t look at the screen to see who it was.He swiped his finger on the screen and raised the phone to his ear.“Yes?”
He listened for a second, then lowered his phone and placed it on the coffee table.He hit the screen, and Helena’s voice filled the room.
“Oh, is Cyril there with you?I wouldloveto talk to him,” she said.
Cyril would actually hate to talk to Helena, but it didn’t look like he’d have a choice.“What do you want?”he asked.
“I wanted to ask what you and Vale have decided.Are you coming out here to meet me?I don’t have much time left, so I need to finish my business here.”
“We already told you that we’re not doing it,” Cyril snapped.“I don’t care what you want.Vale isnothanding himself over to be killed, and I’ll never work for you.”
“Well, that’s a pity.What am I going to do with your mother and your friend now?”
The bottom of Cyril’s stomach dropped.“What do you mean?”Cyril’s mother was supposed to have left town already, and Robbie, well...Cyril didn’t want to think about that.He couldn’t even consider the possibility that Helena had him.
“They’re here with me.I think they miss you, but I had to gag them because Robbie wouldn’t keep his mouth shut.I got bored after a few threats.”
“If you hurt them—” Cyril started, but he didn’t know how to finish that sentence.He probably shouldn’t threaten the woman who held his mother and his best friend prisoner.
“I won’t hurt them if you and Vale hand yourselves over, Cyril.Honestly, I don’t know what the problem is.I’m offering you a lot of money to do the same work you currently do.”
Cyril chuckled darkly.“We both know it wouldn’t be the same work.I never wanted to work for anyone because I know how easy it would be to misuse my ability.I’ve already had to deal with some of that in the past, and I don’t want to have to go through that again.”
