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The Dragon and the Rose
Chapter Seventeen
Mr Gary Dwayne
Rhys sat in his car, a street lamp flickering in the dark street. He watched the man walk down the road, scarp wrapped around his neck, hands stuffed deep in his black coat.
The man jogged up some steps, fishing his keys out his pocket. He unlocked his front door and disappeared inside.
Rain soaked Rhys as he climbed out his car, droplets of rain splashing down on his handsome, if troubled face.
He moved around the car, opening his boot. Inside laid a black case. He unlocked it, staring down at the gun that lay embedded in velvet. He picked it up in gloved hands and cocked it.
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Pete walked into the geography room, watching Tegan place laminated maps on the tables.
'Alright, gorgeous?' he smiled. Tegan looked up with a grin.
'Don't you have a lesson to prepare for?' she asked, as he put his arms around her.
'That can wait,' he murmured against her neck. Tegan laughed. ''Ave you seen Wild Bill lately?'
'Rhys? No, not for a couple of days.' Tegan sighed, frowning. 'I worry about him sometimes.'
'I'm sure he'll be fine,' Pete replied. 'He'll be out there with some bird, drinking tequilas-'
'Or he'll be in trouble with the police again,' she put in.
'Listen… about Rhys…' he began. 'Don't you think it's time he moved out?'
'Pete…'
'I'm just saying. It's our home. I don't want him 'ere dealing his drugs and getting into trouble.'
'I'll work with him, Pete,' she protested. The blonde sighed, before shrugging.
'Fine. One more chance.' It fell quiet before Pete cupped her face, kissing the top of her nose. Putting a hand in his pocket, he pulled out a Curly-Wurly. He handed it to her.
Tegan smiled, taking it. 'Thanks.'
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Pete strolled into the living room the next morning, pulling a vest over his head.
'Morning,' Rhys said cheerfully from the sofa, a beer in one hand, remote in the other.
'Nothing like a beer first thing in the morning,' Pete replied as he walked past and into the kitchen. Rhys just winked.
'Have to start the day somehow, son.' Pete shook his head as he put the kettle on, grabbing a mug from the cupboard. 'Where's Tegan?'
'At work,' Pete replied.
'Why aren't you?'
'It's my day off, so you're stuck with me, you lucky bitch. She'll be back soon for lunch.' Pete made his coffee, moving back into the other room. 'So, you get lost or something?'
'What?' Rhys dragged his eyes from the TV.
'You've been gone for days. I thought maybe you'd got lost in big old London.'
'Nah; I was just looking around some houses and shit.'
'You're moving out?' asked Pete, trying not to sound too hopeful.
'Fuck off!' Rhys laughed. 'Like hell I'm moving. If you want to go, you go. I'm perfectly happy where I am.'
'You think you can just stay 'ere?' Pete said, putting his mug on the side. Rhys got to his feet, draining his can and chucking it at Pete's feet.
'I'll stay where I fucking well want,' he growled, coming forward. Pete rose, shoving the shorter man back.
'Get out my face.'
'Fuck you,' Rhys replied, before lunging forward. He managed to wrap his arms around Pete's head, the two men stumbling back into the DVD rack. DVDs spilled out over the carpet, as Pete managed to throw him off.
He grabbed Rhys by the scruff, practically throwing him over the coffee table to pin him on the floor. The coffee mug went flying, staining the cream rug.
Rhys struggled under him, jerking a knee up to get him in the groin. Pete hissed, rolling away in pain. Rhys was on him in an instant, but Pete elbowed him in the face.
Staggering back, Rhys wiped the tears of pain from his eyes, watching as Pete got to his feet. He came forward, punching him once in the face, before the front door opened.
'What the hell are you doing?' demanded Tegan, arms folded over her chest.
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Tegan stared at the two men from across the table. Pete's lip was still bleeding, cheek grazed. Rhys' eye was puffy and bruised, dry blood forming around his nose.
Both had been beaten pretty badly. Tegan shook her head. 'I can't leave you for five minutes, can I?' Pete fell quiet, guilt making his chest feel tight.
'He was-'
'Shut up, Rhys,' she snapped, but there was disappointment in her eyes. 'All I want is for you to get along and you can't even do that.' She pushed away from the table, looking at them both. Tegan opened her both as if to say something, but changed her mind. Walking past them, she left the kitchen and disappeared into her bedroom.
Rhys sighed, glancing at Pete. Both felt just as bad, though none of them were willing to admit it.
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