253: Courage

I've never been so glad to see him in all my life.

"Devon," I say, the word a gasp. "How did you—"

He doesn't let me finish. "Did he hurt you? Are you hurt?"

I shake my head. "No, but how did you—"

"I'll explain later," he assures me. "Right now, we've got to get this asshole tied to that chair. Quickly, before he wakes up. Bring that chair over there. I have rope under the bed."

I grab it and Devon grabs a duffel bag from under the bed. He opens it and fishes out rope and a couple of knives. He's been lying under the bed the entire time. It's clear that he planned this thoroughly.

He didn't abandon me. He said he'd help me kill Ash and here he is. I tell him, "I thought you weren't going to show up. I thought you tricked me."

"I don't blame you for assuming the worst," he says, looking up at me. His eyes are glinting with mischief and something else, something I won't dare name. He points at my gun. "You know how to use that thing?"

I stare at it. "Yes."

He's watching me intently. "A