Page 32 of The Devil's Dilemma

But how?

Wait. The casino chip might be able to help me. I took it out of my shoe.

It was warm. Hardly surprising, but there was nothing else.

No tingles, no comforting sensations, no buzz. It was like all the magic it possessed had vanished the moment I walked in here.

Was that why I’d been caught? Maybe the effectiveness had worn off. Had it even been there in the first place?

Fucking fairy tales. And I had been stupid enough to believe them.

I turned the chip over and over in my hand, looking for any sign I hadn’t been duped. Nothing happened. It was a useless casino chip.

The door creaked, and I slipped the chip into my pocket. Regardless of whether it was useful, I didn’t want anyone to see it.

Conrad walked in, a tray of food in one hand, a carton of juice in the other.

“Dante said to bring you some food.”

I checked my watch. Six a.m.

At least the carers would be in to see Grandpa in an hour. Hopefully, he’d be okay until then.

“I’m not hungry.” My stomach growled.

He raised an eyebrow.

Bacon and eggs, and buttered toast. It looked and smelt so fucking good, and my mouth watered.

I took the tray from him.

It could have been way worse.

“He’ll be by later. He has a few things to do today. Make yourself at home.”

His voice was gruff, but it held no malice.

“Is Freddie okay?”

“He’s fine. I left him close to his house. He won’t remember a thing.”

Well, that was something at least.

“Do you know why he wants to keep me here? Why didn’t he kill me or wipe my memory?”

“Dante has his reasons. He doesn’t always share them with me.”

“So, I sit here and wait?”

“Yes.” He left and closed the door behind him.

I pushed the eggs around the plate, but hunger took over, and I wolfed down the food.

It was good, better than I’d expected, but as soon as I was done, tiredness set in.

I’d been awake for twenty-four hours, kept awake by the adrenaline rush from the previous evening.

Now that it was quiet and my belly was full, my eyes drooped.