But when Quin squinted at Kit, he didn’t bother taking stock of his own injuries. A red smudge of a bruise stood out starkly against Kit’s pale skin. When Quin opened his mouth to speak, he managed barely a rasp. “Ihityou. Your back, too.”
“Lawrencedid those things,” Kit corrected matter-of-factly. “And then I choked you into unconsciousness. I think we’re even.”
Quin didn’t agree. “Are you okay? Why haven’t you healed yet?”
Kit’s mouth quirked into a sardonic smile. “We’re not long back, so I haven’t had time to feed. Had to make sure you were suitably tied down in case you weren’t you when you woke up.”
Quin tried to respond, but coughed his lungs up instead. Kit rushed from the room. He returned a few seconds later with a bottle of water. “Sorry,” he said, sheepish. “I forgot you’d need it.”
Quin let Kit press the bottle to his lips, the water soothing his throat as he drank. “Thanks,” he said when he was done. “Did we at least get what we needed?”
Kit pulled a small necklace from the side table drawer, dangling it in the air for a second before dropping it back in. “We did.”
“That’s a relief.” Quin rattled the chains. “Now, are you going to let me out?”
Kit hummed, low and considering. “Xavier’s ring didn’t seem to do the best job.” He tapped Quin’s finger where the ring sat. “Lawrence poltergeisted it off.”
Quin flexed his pinky. “I think that had more to do with us being in his domain. I’d had no trouble from him until then.” He shuffled on the bed, his bladder making itself known.
“You sound like you’re trying to convince me,” Kit said, narrowing his eyes. “You’re not still Lawrence, are you?”
Rake, Shaun, and DJ immediately appeared in the doorway.
“I’m not Lawrence,” Quin said. “But I would like to be out of these chains.”
“That’s something Lawrence would say,” DJ pointed out.
“Or,” Quin said, drawing the word out, “it’s somethingIwould say, because I really need to go to the bathroom. I know none of you guys have to go anymore, but it’s a necessity.”
“How convenient,” Rake commented.
“I would argue it’s very inconvenient,” Quin said.
“Fine,” Kit said. “You better not be Lawrence, or I’ll have to knock you out again.” He unlocked Quin’s right wrist, and the others watched on closely.
The second the chains were off, Quin rolled himself off the bed and made a beeline for the bathroom. He turned to close the door, but Kit stood in the way, the others all poking their heads around behind him.
Quin stalled, unsure if he should do his business. “We good?” he asked.
“Mm-hmm,” Kit said, leaning against the door frame.
“Are you planning on watching me?”
Kit tilted his head. “No.”
“You’re all looking.”
“We’re just making sure you’re not Lawrence.”
“Baby,” Quin said patiently, even as he hopped from foot to foot, “I’m more than comfortable pissing in front of you, if that’s what it’ll take.”
“I didn’t have watersports on my kink bingo card,” DJ said, “but I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Quin laughed, which wasn’t the best decision for someone in his position.
“Okay,” Kit said with a huff, “Lawrence never would have laughed at that, so I suppose we can allow you to piss in peace.”
“Too late,” Quin said. “Everybody look away!” The squawk that escaped Kit’s mouth did little to drown out the sound of Quin’s piss hitting the inside of the toilet bowl.
