He rakes a frustrated hand through his overgrown hair. “I needed to do something. Dev has some ideas—”
“And you couldn’t do it from our apartment?” I snap.
His frustration fades instantly—replaced by something far more dangerous. A smirk?
I frown in confusion. This self-sacrificing moron is itching for a bullet again, huh? But his smirk still doesn’t fade.
What the hell is he—?
Oh.
My brain catches up a second too late. I called itourapartment.
Fucking hell. MaybeI’mthe one who should be eating a bullet.
I force my fury to sour into something softer. Something heavier.
I sigh, eyes dropping to the floor. “I called it... shit. I called it our apartment, didn’t I?”
He nods, the damn smirk still stamped on his face like he’s just won some private war.
I slump my shoulders. “I was... worried,” I admit, voice quieter now.
I force myself to meet his eyes. Trying—begging—to convey just a sliver of the fear that still claws at my ribs when I think about what happened to his heart.
“You can’t randomly go out,” I whisper. “Not without... p-protection.”
He sobers instantly, stepping closer.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “Dev and I have been feeling... restless. It’s been weeks, andnothing’smoved. I didn’t mean to worry you.I’m sorry.”
“Vik...” I sigh. “You need to tell me. I would’ve come with you.”
I rest both palms on his chest, staring up at him, letting that fear show. Letting him see what he almost put me through again.
His expression softens and gives me a sad smile. “I’m so sorry, baby. I won’t do it agai—glrghhhh—”
THWACK.
Aaaand he’s choking.
Choking before he even finishes his stupid sentence, gasping for nonexistent air as my knuckles connect with his throat in one fluid, glorious motion.
I step back as he bends over, clutching his neck like it personally betrayed him.
My punch was a masterpiece. I should be impressed. Hell,heshould be impressed.
Instead, he looks...turned on?
For fuck’s sake.
“Ai—why ‘id you do tha’?” he croaks, wheezing.
“Hain?”I grimace, not even trying to hide the smugness on my face.
“Fuuuuck...” he wheezes dramatically, sucking in ragged breaths like he’s just escaped drowning.
I cross my arms, watching him with equal parts amusement and boredom.
