The world swayed, and Callum with it. And only by throwing out a hand against the wall did he manage to keep his feet. Panic was depriving him of oxygen, breaths too quickly taken aggravating the injury across his abdomen.
Sucking shallowly at the air he leaned heavily against the wall, the brick cool beneath his sweaty palm. The other was tucked beneath his jacket, pressed securely to his bloodstained shirt.
Gritting his teeth he fought for balance. Once achieved he continued on, sticking close to the exterior of the building. Each step an agony that forced him to shuffle.
Grass whispered as his boots passed through it, drops of dew darkening the leather. Inch by inch he progressed, the light of the lamps at the front of the building beckoning him.
When he reached the corner he hugged the turn, eyes roaming the expanse of lawn for security. Lackeys. Anyone.
A breath of wind stirred the grass. Colored autumn leaves swayed on the branches of evenly spaced trees lining the walkway.
Save for the vegetation, nothing moved.
Had the goal been theft or sabotage, no doubt he would have encountered opposition. It was only when he was in need of aid, of course, that there was not a soul in sight to intercept him.
Easing onto the cobblestone walkway he made for the front door. Grabbing at the handle, he half expected to find it locked. When it gave under pressure he slipped inside the home of a man who had once been a friend. And had almost killed him twice.
The corridor was longer than he recalled, though the low lighting was eerily familiar. Veering toward a set of double doors, he did not so much as push them open as fall against them.
His weight sent one swinging hard on its hinges, the thud of it colliding with the wall resonating through the room.
A man and woman, conversing nearby, startled at his unceremonious entrance.
Staggering sideways his shoulder connected with the wall. Hunching in on himself, he growled out his pain in wordless torture. When he made to step forward his legs came unhinged and he went to his knees.
Reubenâs voice spiked the pace of his heart. Bracing a hand against the tiled floor, Callum angled his head to watch their approach.
A scowl adorned Reubenâs expression, where a sly smile would have sat with more comfort. âWhat happened to you?â
âWhat does it look like?â Callum snapped between ragged breaths.
âLike you made a mistake.â Reuben crouched in front of him, his companion hovering nearby.
Callum snorted, immediately regretting it when pain forked up his side. âYeah,â he breathed.
Recoiling as Reuben reached for him, they eyed one another warily.
âDo you expect me to fix it?â Reuben asked, grasping the edge of Callumâs jacket and lifting it away from the wound.
âNo, I came to steal your money.â The room had begun to spin subtly, robbing his voice of the intended sarcasm. âYou owe me for the Burlington job.â A pause, to catch his breath. âAnd medical bills are expensive.â
Reuben studied him. âWho was it?â
âDoes it matter?â Callum dropped his eyes to the floor when Reubenâs expression darkened.
A hand fisted in his jacket, and with an arm circling his waist, Reuben made to haul him up. The abrupt motion wrought a scream from him.
âGet the fuck on your feet, Callum.â
Scrambling to get them under him, he staggered. Kept from sprawling by Reubenâs hold on him.
âSir?â the woman stepped forward, but Reuben waved her off when she made to help.
âYou could just kill me here,â Callum wheezed. âGood a place as any.â
Reuben scoffed. âThereâs no victory in killing you while you sit in a pool of blood I didnât draw.â
âYouâre just jealous-â He hissed as he was forced into movement, and continued through clenched teeth. âSomeone else managed what you couldnât.â
âShut up,â Reuben said.
Reuben barked out a laugh. âI donât think youâre up for it right now.â
Callum wrenched away, and was startled when he hit the floor. Stars burst across his vision, and he experienced an odd moment of disconnect between body and mind.
Reuben heaved a sigh. âI could just drag you.â
With darkness encroaching at the corner of his eyes, Callum found himself unable to summon a come back.
Reuben stooped to grab hold of him, but Callum sagged listlessly against the other man. They might have stagnated in the hallway, had they not been accompanied by Reubenâs companion.
âGet over here and help me with him,â Reuben snapped at the woman.
Together they brought him back to his feet, half dragging him into the depths of the building.
âYou better not die on me.â Reubenâs voice came as if from a distance. âKilling you is my job. I wonât let you take that from me.â