A smile pulls at the corner of Kain’s lips as his gaze dips to my breasts when they bounce slightly, and I suddenly realize I’m throwing the world’s least threatening temper tantrum while standing in only my underwear.
He stands, and the two of them take their sweet time exiting. The door clicks softly closed behind them.
And there I stand, defeated and shaking with anger. But I stood my ground. I won. This is what winning feels like. I’m sure of it.
Chaos’ words cut through my pathetic celebration.
“So … you’re not mad at me then?”
I give up.
***
I do compromise though. I think if I continue to work with Chaos, he’ll be the bigger person and do what’s right and let me keep my deal with the Prince. I’ll just stay on his good side, and he’ll stay on mine, we’ll form a bond of sorts and, if I ask him nicely, he’ll go with the Prince to keep my word—and, more importantly, my money. Then he can leave if he likes. He doesn’t have to stay, but he does have to make it appear like I’m not a crook.
Because I’m most definitely not. I keep my word.
Until then, I need to play nice.
I lift my dress as I trail through the woods after the three men. Heat rolls through the forest, making sweat drip down my neck and back.
They’re looking to meet up with theirsource. Kreedence. Fear twists through me but I smoother it out with the reminder of my plans. Today will have to be a rather careful day. A plan is in place. I will just have to stick to it.
“How much farther?” It’s the first time I’ve asked it, but it’s step one in the plan.
“We’re meeting him at the canyon about a mile north of here,” Kain says as he pauses to look back at me.
I wipe at my brow a bit dramatically as I lean against a small oak tree. The bark bites against my skin.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was pitying me.
I must be a dainty looking thing right now. My hair is pulled back from my neck, my skin glistening with sweat, my long legs on display just for his viewing pleasure.
“My head is pounding, and these dizzy spells keep coming and going.”
I’m a terrible person. Too many lies and bad decisions make up my life.
But it’s my life. And I have to survive it.
Kain cocks a brow at me.
“Did you drink anything today?”
I’ve had about four glasses of water.
“A little. I was just so hungry that I didn’t really think about water. I guess I haven’t eaten or drank anything all day.”
Because of you. Because you ate all my fucking food. Hint, hint.
Now, he does pity me. And if I’m not mistaken, there’s a tiny little ounce of guilt there in his pretty eyes.
Good.
“Fuck.” He trails back to me. His fingertips skim along the side of my face and his closeness makes me shift. I don’t think I’ve been this close to him in his human form without any angry words filling the space between us. I don’t think I’ve seen him look this caring either. “Okay. You shouldn’t go any farther.” Worry lines his face, and he tilts his head to the side to look over his shoulder. “Rime, stay here with her. Make sure she doesn’t pass out. We’ll go ahead and get the details and find her some water.”
I’m much more likely to have a sensible conversation with one of them one on one. Of the three, Rime is the quietest, and I know it’s not because he’s shy. It’s that age-old saying, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Unfortunately, there’s so much un-niceness within Rime, it makes him almost mute.
So, I don’t know how well my little plan is going to work.
