Now this is definitely the penultimate episode. Enjoy it, hopefully. Again, I don't condone violence, so don't do this at home kids.
Luka, can you do me a favour?"
He looked at Ray with apprehension. "Well, it depends on the favour."
"I need you to keep an eye on Neela for me," he said quietly, watching Neela in the next room rest her head on Abby's consoling shoulders.
Clutching his arm, Luka pulled him aside, "You need to drop this Ray,"
Prising his fingers off him he moved towards the door and opened it, calmly replying "I wish I could." before shutting the door firmly behind him.
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Tony rested his head back against the car seat, contemplating what he should say to her when she got back. He lifted his head and stared at her flat, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. This time he had gone too far, even for him. Next week he'd go back for his anger counselling sessions, his temper wasn't in check and he could have hurt her. He just needed to apologise. He quickly glanced at his watch, it was still early. Resting his head back, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
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The car door swung open. Momentarily surprised, Tony blearily lifted his head up to see Ray standing there, eyes blazing.
"Get out!" Ray spat.
Rubbing his eyes, Gates smiled sleepily, "Ahh, the cavalry arrives,"
"I said, GET OUT!" he shouted.
Narrowing his eyes, Gates returned, "you don't want to be asking me to do this son,"
Taking a step back, Ray crossed his arms and waited.
"Fine," he said stonily. Locking eyes with Ray, he warily got out of the car.
Standing a metre apart, they glared at each other.
"I'm going to say this once and I want you to listen carefully," Ray hissed, "Don't speak to her, or look at her, ever again."
Taken aback by the hatred in his voice, Tony shifted uneasily. "Look, Barnett I don't want to pick a fight with you, I just came to apologise to Neela and then I'll be gone."
"Write a letter," Ray snapped.
Smirking Gates heaved a loud sigh, "if that's what she wants, then fine."
"It is," he said coldly.
Turning back to his car he continued, "well, if we're done here?"
Uncrossing his arms Ray walked towards him, "Oh and one more thing Tony,"
Gates turned, just in time to be greeted by Ray's clenched fist hitting him squarely on the jaw. Stumbling, he cursed as he felt blood ooze from his split lip. Wiping the blood off his face, he winced at the pain. Ray hovered over him, his body trembling with rage. Gates scowled up at Ray, "should have seen that coming,"
Eyes burning, he rasped, "Don't you ever touch her again!"
Slowly massaging his jaw, he grimaced and made his way back to the car.
Ray grimly watched him drive away, the tension in his body gradually easing.
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Hope the frustration has gone? Now to the final chapter…..