“Uh, I think I’ll pass on that offer, thanks,” I say, then yawn behind a hand. “I’ve spent way too much money on this loft, so I’d very much prefer not to stain it with blood and…brain particles.” My eyes droop for a moment, but I snap them open just as quickly.
Fuck, I’m tired.
Solo gives me a razor-sharp glare. “Don’t fuck with me right now.”
Jayce clears his throat, and when I glance at him, he shoots me a quick ‘What the fuck?’ look.
I sigh and click my tongue. “Look, Cignette was merelyassisting,” I tell Solo. “And she did a damn good job of it.”
“So, what, she’s part of the crew now?” he hisses. “You want me to throw her a welcoming party or some shit?”
My nostrils flare, and I grit my teeth. “I didn’t mean th–”
“Of course you didn’t,” he spits at me. “Because you haven’t been thinking with your head since you got involved with her. A fuckingAdler, for Christ’s sake.” He rubs his jaw like it has personally offended him, then shakes his head again. “Fucking her is one thing, but bringing her into this – into ourwork– that’s too much, Dor. She’s a liability, at best, not to mention, our benefactor’sfamily.”
“I thought we’d already established her importance, but if you want me to, I can readily jog your memory for you,” I tell him darkly. “Besides, we don’t owe our choices to Chase; we haven’t been living off his goodwill. For everything he does for us, we pay him back with the blood of his enemies. Him and us – we’re on equal footing.”
“Don’t sass with me,” he sneers. “You and I both know how merciless Chase is. We’ve killed people for all butnothing, just because hewantedus to kill them. Once you get on his bad side, you don’t fucking survive.”
“I think you’re underestimating our strength as a unit, Solo,” Jayce says. “I think we can take on the odds – whatever they might be.”
“And you think it’s always about strength and numbers with that guy?” Solo counters.
I narrow my eyes and assess him. His white shirt is stained with sweat, his hair is slightly messy, and his posture is somewhat stiff.
“You’re scared, aren’t you?” I deduce.
He laughs and leans back in his chair. “I’d be stupid not to be.”
“Why?” I ask plainly, because I’ve never considered equating the term fear with Solo. Ever.
“Because I don’t want to be put into a situation where I’m forced to do something I’d never want to do,” he admits, and his eyes darken. “I’ll die before I’m pushed to that limit, but I’d much rather things don’t come to that.” He’ll die before he lets Chase order him to kill me for what I’ve dared to do, is what he means.
“If itdoescome to that, you won’t have to be the one to end things,” I tell him. “You have my word, Solo.”
“Ledge, come on.” Jayce looks at me with an agonizing expression on his face. “Don’t fucking say that, man.”
“Don’t gimme the martyr speech, kid,” Solo says to me – his gaze pinned on mine. “For as long as I live, no one gets to touch any of you idiots. You’re family, and I protect those I care for.”
“God, you’re a sappy motherfucker, aren’t ya?” I muse, then pause, swallow, and incline my head at him. “But I appreciate it, though – everything you’ve done and continue to do. You know that, right?” My eyes droop again, and this time, it takes a bit more effort to pop them back open.
Solo chuckles. “You’ve already sworn to put me in the grave by being a reckless asshole, so I’m just validating the inevitable by offering myself up as sacrifice. In advance.”
Jayce chuckles. “I think I signed up for it before you did,” he tells Solo. “So get in line, man; I get the first place here.”
I laugh, but it morphs into a yawn. “Fuck the both of you,” I mutter, then yawn again. “Righteous little shits.”
There’s a knock on the door, followed by it opening partway into the threshold.
Cignette enters the room, and her gaze zeros in on me.
I run my eyes over her – over her soft pink hair that’s tied up in an untidy fashion, her face devoid of the makeup she had on earlier; the white Geralt of Rivia hoodie she’s wearing, and her exposed thighs and legs. The need to pull her close and watch her gasp is strong, but so is the invisible force that’s keeping my ass rooted to my bed.
I meet Cignette’s stare and wink at her, and she smirks in response, making me grin.
“I think Jayce and I’ll take our leave,” Solo starts, and both him and Jayce get to their feet. “You two look about ready to fuck each other, and I definitely don’t wanna be here when that happens. Christ knows how much bleach I’ll need to washthatvision out.”
The rest of us laugh, and I flip Solo off as him and Jayce walk out of the loft.
