“Answer the question.”
She takes a slow sip of coffee.“I’m alive.”Not an answer.
I lower my voice.“Did someone put hands on you?”
Her eyes flash.“Is that concern, or territorial bullshit?”
“Both.”
She studies me for a long moment.Then she shrugs.“Old bruise.”
“Someone still did it.”
She steps closer, invading my space without fear.“Are you planning to kill every man who ever crossed me?”
“If I have to.”
Something flickers across her face—surprise, then something warmer.She covers it with sarcasm.“Careful.That kind of talk could give a girl the wrong idea.”
“I’m not talking,” I say.“I’m warning.”
Mama M clears her throat loudly and walks away, pretending not to see us.
Raven watches her go.“She a little terrifying.”
“She is.”
“She likes me.”
“I noticed.”
That earns me a grin.“You look upset about it.”
“I am,” I say honestly.
She laughs softly.“Get used to it.”
I should walk away.Instead, I gesture toward the hallway.“Come on.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere quieter.”
Her eyes narrow.“You about to lock me in a room?”
“No,” I say.“I’m about to make sure you eat something.”
That throws her.Just a little.I lead her to the small side room off the kitchen, less used and quieter.I grab a plate Mama M left covered and set it in front of her.She looks at it.Then at me.
“Are you going to poison me?”
“Not today.”
She sits.That’s the thing that guts me.She sits without being told, without hesitation, without fear.Falling back into old habits without even having to think about it.
I lean against the counter while she eats.Pretending not to watch her mouth.Not crowding her.Just ...there.
“This place hasn’t changed much,” she says between bites.
