“Not happening,” I say. “You should be sleeping.”
Her shoulders drop a fraction.
She looks at me again, slower this time. My hair’s damp. The air between us shifts in a way that has nothing to do with fear.
Her gaze lingers.
Mine does too.
“Morning,” she says quietly.
“Morning.”
The silence that follows is heavier than it should be.
Her lips part slightly like she’s about to say something else.
A knock hits the door.
We both turn toward it.
I check the time on the stove clock.
Early.
I already know who it is.
I open the door.
Viper stands there, easy and alert at the same time, coffee tray in one hand, a big bag in the other. Ava is beside him with a paper bag that smells like sugar and butter.
“Morning, Doc,” Viper says.
“You always bring breakfast when you’re planning to interrogate someone?” I ask.
He smirks slightly. “Helps.”
Ava steps inside first, warm without being overwhelming. “We brought coffee. And waffles. I figured she hasn’t eaten much.”
Carly’s eyes widen slightly at the sight of them. She pulls the blanket tighter, uncertain.
Ava’s tone shifts instantly, soft but steady. “Hey. I’m Ava.”
“Carly,” she answers.
Viper sets the coffee down and takes in the room in one sweep. Windows. Doors. Exits. Then he nods once at me.
“All quiet,” he says.
“For now,” I reply.
Ava moves to the couch slowly, careful not to crowd. “You mind if I sit?”
Carly shakes her head.
Viper stays standing, leaning casually against the wall, but I know he’s tracking every reaction in the room.
“We heard about Red Hot Velvet,” he says. “You said that’s where you were taken.”
