"What?"

"Ryan's dead. I-I went back to the hotel and he was just there...I-I thought someone took you."

"I'm fine, Chris. I was just hungry." I said. "But who would wanna kill Ryan?"

He sighed. "The same person who attacked me...He knew I killed his right hand, so he killed mine."

"But didn't you just get back from doing that?"

"He must've known what I planning. I think he was just waiting to see what I did." Chris  mumbled, shaking his head. "I was so stupid. I shouldn't have tried to go after him. I knew something like this would happen."

His phone started ringing. He grabbed it. It said unknown caller.

"Hello?" He said, putting it on speaker.

"You're getting brave, boy...Did you not learn what happens when you come after me from the events of our last encounter?" The man laughed. "Frankly, I'm surprised you survived."

"What do you want?"

"I dare you to come for me again. You're lucky your little toy wasn't there. You have no idea the things I plan to do to him when I get my hands on him."

Chris stayed quiet for a moment. "Why did you kill him?"

He laughed again. "You took someone from me, so I took someone from you. It's quite simple. You know; an eye for an eye and all that."

Chris didn't say anything.

"I suggest you heed my warning, Christopher. Or else more than one person will die."

He hung up.

Chris threw his phone across the car. I leaned over and hugged him. I didn't like Ryan, but I still feel bad for Chris.

"I'm sorry."

He just shook his head. "I'm pissed he let you go out on your own, but at the same time, I'm thankful. If you were there, you'd be dead too, if not worse."

"It's okay."

"We're going home. I fucked up big time and I have to figure things out." He said. "This wasn't supposed to turn out like this."

~~~~

Chris hesitated when it came to opening the hotel room door. I don't think he wanted to see it again.

He pushed it open and stepped inside.

I never knew he cared about Ryan this much. It just seemed like Ryan worked for him and that was it.

The first thing I noticed when I entered the room was the double m written on the wall in blood. It must be a signature or something, because the same thing was on the wall when we found Chris.

Ryan's body was on the floor, blood looked around his head. There was a single gunshot wound in his forehead.

Chris avoided looking at the scene.

"Get your shit."

I didn't have anything to grab, so I just sat on the bed.

After a few minutes, I walked out to the balcony and lit a cigarette.

I feel bad for Chris. Yeah, Ryan was an asshole, but Chris is really upset about it.

I took my phone out and found Kuza's number. He'd know what to do.

I clicked call and listened to it ring for a moment.

"Yah?"

"Kuza, it's Ricky."

"I know. What's up?"

"There's a big problem. And I don't know what to do."

"What happened? You're in Philly with Chris, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but Ryan's dead. And Chris is freaking out."

"Ryan's dead? You're not fucking with me, are you?"

"No, asshole. The same guy who shot Chris killed Ryan."

"Fuck." He groaned. "Ryan is like a brother to Chris. They argue a lot, but Ryan is his best friend. Chris is gonna be fucked up for a while."

"He's freaking out. And that man who killed him called Chris and threatened him. But we're leaving in a few."

"What's he doing with Ryan?"

"No idea. He won't even look at him."

"I'll call the cleaners."

"Don't call anyone. I don't know if he wanted me to call you. I just don't know how to help him."

"You can't help him. Just be there for him." He told me. "I don't know if he'll let you in right now though."

I frowned. "Okay. I'll talk to you later."

I hung up the phone and finished my cigarette. I headed back inside.

Chris was sitting on the bed with his head down. I walked over and stopped in front of him. I placed my hand on his head and played with his hair.

He rested his head on my stomach, leaning into my hand. He didn't say anything. I moved so that my arms were around his neck, resting on his shoulders.

"I don't know what to do, babe..." He whispered. "I fucked up."

"It's not your fault. You had no way of knowing that he was gonna kill him."

He shook his head. "I thought I'd gone over every possible outcome of this trip, but the thought of this happening never even crossed my mind. I'm so stupid."

I leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "You couldn't have known this would happen. It was unexpected."

He sighed, hugging me. "Come on. Let's go home."

I nodded and he stood up. He ran his fingers through my hair before grabbing his bags.

"I've called someone to bring Ryan home." He told me.

I nodded.

He took me outside to his car and helped me inside. He put his bags in the trunk and got in the front seat beside me.

He started the car and pulled out of the hotel parking lot.

~~~~~~~

Chris was quiet on the drive home. He barely said a word to me.

As soon as he entered the house, he locked himself in his office. He wouldn't let me in.

Kuza was there when we got there. He was sitting in the kitchen, talking to Spencer and Remington.

He looked at me and waved.

"Where's Chris?"

"He locked himself in his office."

Kuza sighed and shook his head.

"He told me he called someone to get Ryan."

Spencer modded. "Yeah, Andy, Emerson and Danny went."

"Will he be okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, eventually." Remington spoke. "Give him some time."

——————

comment what y'all think is gonna happen now

~xxLux