“Asshole pranced into the Avernus and taunted us,” Bastian said. “His name is David Thomas Dean.”
All business, Landon knelt beside me and set a black bag down. I vaguely noted Cole stalking around the ballroom, no doubt checking that Dean had really left.
“I’ll call the security team and have them check the security feed,” Nash said.
Landon gently nudged Lark’s hands away from the bolt. “Let me see.”
She dropped back, and Landon made an unhappy sound. He probed the wound, and I hissed.
Lark frowned. “Can you give him something for the pain?”
“Yes. Although usually Bastian complains bitterly about taking any drugs.”
“Hate them.” I’d seen too many drug addicts on the street. Too many people out of control, out of their heads, or dead from an overdose. I had no desire to ever experience that.
“You’ll take a painkiller,” Lark snapped. “Then let Landon fix you.”
My gaze ran over her tense face. “All right.”
Landon’s brows rose in surprise. He filled a syringe. “Don’t worry, he’s too arrogant to die, Lark.” He injected me, and I grunted. “Now, we need to stop the bleeding.”
“Whoever this dickhead is, he’s gone,” Cole said.
Landon snapped on gloves and studied the bolt. “It looks like the head of the bolt is designed to cause a nasty mess.”
“Just get it out, Landon. I’d like to stop bleeding everywhere.”
“Are the drugs kicking in?”
“No.” I was starting to feel the effects. A lassitude seeping through my muscles. I looked at Lark and reached for her hand. “Hey there, beautiful.”
She shot Landon a look. “Sounds like the drugs are working.”
“Hold my hand?” I asked.
Her face softened and her fingers curled around mine. “You’re going to be fine.”
“I know.” I felt tugging as Landon worked. I fought back a grimace. “Remember, I have plans to get your fit, little body naked.”
“Bastian.” She glanced at Landon.
“Darling, Landon and the others are well aware of what I’ve been doing to you in my penthouse.”
She huffed out a breath. “Clearly, he isn’t that hurt.”
“No, he’s not.” Landon pulled the bolt out.
I groaned, and Lark clutched my hand.
“It’s out.” Landon set it aside, then grabbed some items from his bag. “Now, I’ll stitch you up.” He set to work sealing the wound. “You’re lucky it wasn’t any deeper. It could have done a lot of damage.”
“Now I have matching shoulder wounds.”
Lark snorted. “Mine was barely a scratch.”
I kissed the tips of her fingers and realized her hand was coated in my blood. “I know. You’d never actually hurt me.” My gaze flicked to Nash, and I sent my friend a silent message.
She smiled. “Only if you really get on my nerves.” She leaned over, watching as Landon finished a neat row of stitches. He placed a pristine white bandage over the injury.
