“Sorry.” Kiro held up his hands and took a step back.“If I knew she was yours, I would’ve left it alone.”
Dennisshoved him against the wall.“I should kill you, too.” The malicein his voice left no room for an empty threat.
“Dude, chill out.”Kiropushed Dennis away but he was instantly back.
They went back and forth, heading for a fight when I let out a dry sob of pain. They both turned to me as I clutched my ankle in one hand and pressed against the wall for support with the other. I stared back like a deer in headlights; the last thing I wanted right now was to call attention to myself.
Kiro stepped away from Dennis with a joyous laugh.“Good luck with that.” He grinned. And then he was gone.
Dennis cursed and kicked the forgotten body. Itcrashed against the wall with suchforcesome bricks shattered and fell.“I hate that guy. Did he kill your cousin?”
“No. She fainted.” I gasped as a spasm took hold of my ankle.“I think my foot is broken.” I slowly sank to the ground.
“Do you want me to check it?”
“Can you make sure she’s okay?” I nodded toward Ari.
He kneeled and touched her cheek, then felt for a pulse.“She’s fine. I can slap her awake, if you want.”
“No!”
“Relax, Vixen. I was kidding.” He hoisted her up and was gone.
“Dennis?” I called, then jumped when he reappeared at my side.
“I’m right here. I put her in the car.”
“When did you get a car?”
“I bought one last night. I’m gonna take your shoe off, okay?” He satand gently placed my legs across his lap.
“How’d you find us?” I sucked in a tight breath as a bout of pain tore through my ankle.
“I was nearby getting blood. I heard some of it and felt you panicking.” He was slowly unlacing my boot, being careful not to move it more than necessary. “How long before I showed up?”
“Not long but it felt like forever. He almost drank my blood.”
Dennis looked at me.“That’s not what he was going for.”
“So hewasgonna kill me?”
“It doesn’t matter. He won’t mess with you again.” He started pulling my shoe off, drawing a whimper of pain.
I squeezed my eyes shut as the boot slid past my ankle. It was taking all my strength not to cry or pass out.“I hope you’re almost done,” I managed. He didn’t respond. “Dennis?”
I opened my eyes and realized two things at once: my ankle was bleeding profusely, and Dennis was fixated on the blood that was dripping down to pool in his lap. His pitch black eyes rose to mine. My heart skipped a beat, then went twice as fast.
“Dennis?”
He didn’t answer.
“I don’t like this,” I said. He stared at my neck the same way he’d been ogling my blood.“Stop it.” I tried to smack his cheek but he caught my hand.“Stop!” I kicked with my good foot and managed to catch his ribs—he blinked and dropped my hand.
“Fuck. Sorry,” he seemed genuinely rattled, “I didn’t finish drinking.”
“It’s fine. Just keep going. Please.”
“This is broken. Also, your bloodsmells intoxicating. You should let me try sometime.”
