Run This Town 03 - (Watch Me) Unmask You Read Online Free

the Hendersons’ house. Lucky swallowed. He really didn’t like being in that place.
    “Lucky.”
    “Yeah. Yeah. I’m going.” He grabbed the door handle, but Elias stopped him with a hand on Lucky’s shoulder.
    That felt… Damn.
    “You’ll be fine, Lucky,” he said softly. “I have faith in you. You’re way stronger than you think.”
    Lucky frowned. “I don’t even know what that means.”
    Elias’s mouth twitched. “I know, but you will.”
    Yeah. Whatever. He opened the car door.
    “Don’t forget the stuff in the backseat.”
    Lucky opened the back driver’s side door and grabbed the blanket. His hands were already full so no way was he going to be able to take the space heater, too. Elias got out and helped with that, and together they walked around the two-story house, painted blue. In the backyard, Lucky handed Elias the blanket then climbed the ladder he’d placed against the house, leading to his bedroom. Halfway up, he held out a hand for the blanket, and Elias handed it up.
    Lucky tossed it through his open window then motioned for the space heater. Only this time he went all the way up the ladder and Elias followed him, handing off the heater. Lucky placed it gently on the floor just inside his bedroom window then climbed back down the ladder.
    He stood there, staring at Elias. “What’s your last name?”
    “Why?”
    “Dunno.” Lucky shrugged. “So I can thank you properly?”
    “My last name isn’t a requirement for your thanks, Lucky Mousasi.” Elias glanced at the house. “Take care of yourself. Stay focused. Avoid trouble. That is thanks enough.”
    Sounded like something old people said. Except even though he spoke fucked up, Elias wasn’t really that old. “Thank you anyway,” Lucky said. “For the food and the warmth and the ride.”
    Framed by the red beard, Elias’s lips curved. “You’re welcome.”
    Lucky looked down, dirty sneakers scuffing the ground. “Will I see you again? Not that I care,” he rushed to add. “Just thought I’d ask.”
    Elias’s smile was wide, his teeth bright. “Goodbye, Lucky Mousasi.” He turned and walked out of the yard and Lucky stood there, until he couldn’t see him anymore.

Chapter Three
     
    The noise inside the school auditorium was deafening.
    Elias sat in the back and kept his gaze trained up on the podium as the principal called names. One by one the students went up on stage to get their diplomas. He shouldn’t have come.
    But here he was.
    He shouldn’t stay.
    But he would.
    If his employer found out where he’d disappeared to, Elias would have hell to pay.
    “Lucky Mousasi.”
    Elias would gladly pay the price. Hearing Lucky’s name boom over the speakers made Elias’s spine stiffen. Made him sit up, lean forward. Lucky walked quickly across the stage, wearing a blue gown that didn’t quite reach his ankles. His fellow graduates hooped and hollered for him, and Elias watched him smile, watched him blush as the principal handed over the diploma. Lucky nodded at something the man said, the tassel from the blue cap on his head swinging across his cheek.
    Why am I here?
    The young man he’d found hiding in that closet was nowhere to be seen. This Lucky was confident and sure and… taller?
    It was the height of fucked up and perverse to be here, but Elias had to stay. Just for a while longer, long enough to talk to Lucky, to ensure he was truly alright. Then Elias would leave and never come back. Never should have come.
    But he’d thought about nothing else. Worried for Lucky like he’d worried for no one ever. Not even Stavros and they shared a bed. Shared more than that, but Elias didn’t even spare Stavros a thought when they weren’t in the same room.
    He hadn’t stopped worrying about Lucky since the day he drove away from that New Jersey home all those nights ago.
    He remained seated until the last diploma was handed out, until all speeches were given, then snuck out the back of the hall. Outside he