Strip for the Devil 2

Isaac could barely move his limbs. The moment he woke and tried to sit up, pain shot through his body, forcing a wince. The noise stirred Riley, who blinked awake and looked at him with alarm.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

"Nothing," Isaac replied quickly, though his face betrayed him. "Just sore muscles."

Sore muscles seemed like an understatement. Riley watched as Isaac tried to stand, only to stumble forward. Riley caught him just in time.

"Was the training that bad?" Riley asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Isaac waved him off, grimacing. "I need to shower," he muttered, avoiding the question. "Can you help me to the bathroom?"

Riley hesitated but nodded, slipping an arm under Isaac's to steady him. "Are you sure you don't need help with—"

"I'm fine," Isaac cut him off. "Wait outside."

Riley frowned but didn't argue. Isaac stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He stripped off his clothes, and when he looked down at himself in the mirror, his expression darkened. Bruises sprawled across his torso, angry and fresh.

"What the hell, Isaac?" Riley's voice rang out as the door burst open.

Isaac whipped around, startled. "Riley!" He scrambled to cover himself, but Riley was already beside him, grabbing his arm and glaring at the evidence.

"Shit," Riley hissed, his eyes darting over the bruises. "Fucking bastards. Is this what they call training you? How bad did they beat you up?"

"It's not as bad as it looks," Isaac tried to convince.

"Not as bad? Are you kidding me?" Riley scoffed. "I'm going to Gio. There has to be another way to get the money."

"Stop," Isaac said sharply, grabbing Riley's arm before he could leave. His grip was weak, but his voice held weight. "He's already shot you once. Don't forget that. This city is crawling with his men. They're watching us, making sure we don't try to bolt. You've noticed it too, haven't you? The shadows following us?"

Riley's shoulders stiffened. His jaw tightened as he met Isaac's gaze.

"Gio has his men keeping tabs. There's no way out of this," Isaac finished quietly.

Riley's face contorted with anger and frustration, but he said nothing, his fist clenching at his side.

"I promised I'd protect you," Riley muttered, guilt weighing heavily in his chest. "But this..."

He looked at Isaac's injured body and remembered all those times Hound had beaten him up and he had done nothing.

"I'll tell you if I can't handle it," Isaac promised.

Liar, Riley thought angrily, but he didn't say it out loud. He knew Isaac well enough that he wasn't the type of guy to ask for help when needed. Riley exhaled a quiet sigh.

"Any news from the guy you borrowed money from?" Isaac asked, trying to steer the conversation.

"He's dead," Riley said flatly.

Isaac blinked, startled. "How?"

Riley didn't answer, and the silence pressed down on Isaac like a lead weight. A creeping unease settled over him.

"What's going on, Riley?"

Riley hesitated, then began slowly. "Things have been... chaotic in New York lately."

"What do you mean?"

"Hound is dead."

Isaac stared at him, stunned. "What?"