She doesn’t stirwhen I lay her down on the mattress. Not even a small twitch. The sedative settles well into her bloodstream which means I gave her the perfect dosage. Enough to keep her out temporarily without doing real damage.
I take a step back and roll my neck, joints popping quietly.
I already know she’s going to be pissed when she wakes up. We’d agreed not to use anything that required a needle, but her father insisted it would look convincing. Indistinguishable from how we treated every other hostage.
Finnic stands a few feet away, eyes fixed on her. Hisbreathing is off and he hasn’t yet addressed the blood seeping down his arm.
“You gonna take care of that?” I ask, nodding toward his forearm.
He glances down like he’d already forgotten it existed. His skin is inflamed around the bite marks and I am sure it will bruise later.
“I’m fine,” he mutters.
I plan to toss this needle out and use a new one the next time. If she were an actual hostage, I wouldn’t give two shits.
But I don’t want to maimherin any way.
“Sit,” I order.
He stiffens. “I don’t-”
“Sit,” I repeat, but sharper this time.
He hesitates, but then drags a hand down the mask on his face and drops onto one of the overturned crates along the wall.
I lean against the wall on the opposite side of the room.
“I gotta say,” I break the silence casually, “I’m surprised you were a little rough with her.”
He doesn’t look at me at first. His attention stays fixed on Leigh, sprawled across the mattress, motionless except for the steady rise and fall of her chest. He lets out a dry laugh and retorts, “I mean, that’s my job here. Is it not?”
I smile at his sarcasm. “It is.” My brow raises as I stare athim. “But from what I’ve heard, you’re not usually aggressive with women.”
His shoulders tense as I pace the room.
“That’s why the boss chose you to help me with this job,” I continue, “He needs to know you won’t screw up an important situation like this. He’s gotta be sure you won’t hesitate when things get complicated.”
I stop directly in front of him.
He still isn’t looking at me.
His eyes are locked on Leigh, her dark lashes resting against her cheeks, lips parted slightly in sedation. She looks peaceful like this. Innocent, if you didn’t know better.
“Are you listening to a word I’m telling you?” I question.
His gaze finally snaps to mine. “What?”
“This is the time to show how much you can give to the company.. and how much you can take.”
His lips part, but nothing comes out.
I straighten and turn away from him, walking back towards Leigh.
I observe her again.
This was different than when she’s awake.
She was something entirely opposite when she was conscious.
