“You can start by going in there and helping Russell,” Cyril told him.
John grinned and gave Cyril a thumbs-up.Cyril watched him disappear into the kitchen, still wondering what the fuck had just happened.John couldn’t be real.
“We’re never going to get rid of him if you continue smiling at him like that,” Vale grumbled.
“I don’t think him sticking around has anything to do with my smile.”
“It does because it makes him feel like we accepted him.He tried to kill me, Cyril.”
“And you kicked his ass so badly that he wants you to teach him how to do it.You should feel proud of that.”
“There’s nothing to feel proud of.He sucks.”
Cyril smiled but was quickly interrupted when someone screamed.It only lasted a few seconds, but it made Cyril shudder.He really hoped the neighbors hadn’t heard that.
Vale opened his arms.“Come here.”
He didn’t have to say it twice.Cyril stepped into his embrace and allowed Vale’s presence to muffle the horrors of what was happening just a few feet away.Albert was done, but they weren’t.
“We’ll find Angelo, won’t we?”he asked.
Vale kissed Cyril’s hair.“Yeah, we will.”
“And you’ll let John help us?”
“Do I really have to?”
“I think it would be fun.And if Russell is distracted by John, he won’t annoy you too badly.”
“I don’t like it, but maybe it’s worth it to get Russell off my back.”
Chapter Thirteen
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“IFOUND YOUR MASTER,” Rachel declared.
Cyril wrinkled his nose.“Can we not call him that?I feel it gives him a power he doesn’t have and doesn’t deserve.”
“Sorry.I found Angelo.Thirty-eight, single.Went to college, dropped out after six months.He tried to enroll in the military, but they rejected him.He doesn’t live with his parents, but that’s only because he inherited an apartment from his grandmother.He works odd jobs here and there.”
Cyril frowned down at his cup of coffee.He had a hard time imagining that was how theMasterlived.The man had managed to pull in Albert and Sam.He’d convinced them that they could summon demons and become rich and famous.
Why had they believed him?Didhebelieve that he could actually summon demons?Or was it an excuse to kill people?
Cyril hated that Sam had been in such a bad spot that he’d felt like that was his only way out.If Cyril had known, he would’ve done something to help, but Sam hadn’t come to him, and now, he was dead.
“You have an address,” Vale said as he dried his hands at the sink
“I do.I did mention that he lived in his grandmother’s apartment, didn’t I?”Rachel snarked.
“Then what are we waiting for?I don’t need this guy’s life history.”
“Stop being a dick.I’m sending everything to you and Russell.”Rachel paused.“Should I send it to John Smith, too?”
Vale groaned.“Who told you?Russell?”
“He said it was a pleasure to work with John and that he knows what he’s doing, even though he’s a little green.He also said that you agreed to let John help.”
