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Two Can Keep a Secret if One of You is Dead
Damien checked his watch. He didn’t want Eliot’s dose wearing off.
Ford was no doubt trying to talk Eliot into believing what a horrible person Damien was. Telling him how manipulative he was. All the while missing the irony of his own manipulation.
Nathan Ford made the Damien Moreaus of the world look like benevolent boy scouts. At least men such as himself admitted what they were. Ford hid behind his mission. This ridiculous crusade that he has dragged Eliot into.
There was no changing this world. It was a cold, cruel place. And Eliot was much better off when he knew that. He just needed to be recentered. Damien needed to remind Eliot of what they had accomplished together.
He paused outside the door to the cell and peered through the barred window. Ford sat on the floor beside Eliot. He could just make out Eliot’s words. He’s using...using my techniques, Mastermind. Symbiosis at its best.
The look of horror on Nate’s face brought a smile to Damien’s lips. Ford could never accept Eliot for what he is. Damien always appreciated Eliot and his many skills. He could handle the darkness inside him. Knew how to harness the raw power that was Eliot Spencer.
Ford had always been hopelessly outmatched.
Damien watched as Nate struggled to get Eliot to his feet and help him walk around the room.
“That’s it, Eliot. One foot in front of the other. We gotta get you moving.”
“Wh...why? Nate, ‘m tired. I need...a minute. Just give me a little...” His feet stumbled as he tried to keep up with Ford. “Jus’ give me a minute.”
Ford’s impatience gave Damien an idea. He unlocked the door and he and his guards entered the room.
He feigned shock. “Eliot! Why are you up? You should be resting. You got injured. Remember? A fool’s errand for Ford.”
The guards pulled Nate back so Damien could support Eliot. Nate struggled against the hands holding him. “A fool’s errand for me? You’re drugging him, you bastard! Look at what you’ve done to him.”
Damien eased Eliot down on the cot, held his glazed stare. “Eliot, Ford sent you against my estate. I was not onsite. My men...as soon as I heard you were here, I came straight to you. He had to know what would happen to you.”
Nate tried to lunge at Damien. “Liar! You’re the one that’s drugging him. He has the syringe in his hand, Eliot!”
“This is an antibiotic. I’m trying to help you. You probably asked him for more time. He pushed you. You did not have time to prepare. And this is what happened. He never listens to you, does he?”
Blue eyes fixed on Damien’s face. “I...I wanted more time. I like to be prepared. Sometimes...”
“He rushes in? Eliot, your methods need preparation. You are the best at what you do. Have I not always given you what you need?” He slipped the needle into Eliot’s arm. “Let me help you.”
Eliot watched the needle as it pierced his arm. “A...antibiotic?”
“Yes, Eliot. You have cuts and scrapes. An infection would not be good. You understand?”
Damien smiled when Eliot looked up at him and nodded. “Good. Lie down for me. Get some rest.”
Eliot stretched out on the cot and closed his eyes. “Tired.”
“I know. Rest.” He turned his attention to Nate and tutted. “You do not learn do you, Ford? You will never know him as well as I do. You may be a self-proclaimed mastermind, but I have seen him at his worst. Took him in when he was lost. Broken. I fixed him! I gave him a home. You...” His clenched fist shook. He needed to get a handle on his emotions. “You hurt him. Gave him new scars. Tell me something.”
Nate had the audacity to look at Damien with disgust. “What do you think I would tell you? We aren’t friends, Moreau.”
“Tell me, Ford, how many times have you helped him heal? How many times has he let you see him injured? Allowed you to take care of him? Hmm? I think you just worry about the job and to hell with the aftermath Eliot must deal with. I was there. Beatings, gunshot wounds. I was there when he needed someone.”
Nate’s jaw dropped in shock. “You? You were there? Damien Moreau...a nursemaid?” The little prick had the audacity to sneer.
Disgust churned in Damien’s stomach. “The fact that you are so stunned that I care about those who are injured in my stead is a major part of the problem with how you run a crew.”