Ah, shit.
"Doyle? Are you fucking kidding me?"
I don't answer.
His hand moves to my collarbone, fingers pressing just enough that I feel my heartbeat trapped beneath them. "Who sent you?"
"Does it matter?"
"It does when you're carrying their blade and stealing from me."
"Technically, I stole from Navy Coat. You just happened to be watching."
His grip tightens. "You think this is funny?"
"Maybe."
Whatever ease he was wearing slips for half a second. Maybe he feels this pull too. This wrongness that somehow feels right.
"What's your name?"
I tilt my chin up. "Why? So you can put it on my headstone?"
"So I know what to call you when I find you again."
I pout. "I thought you were going to finish me off tonight."
He rolls his eyes. "We'll have to save it for next time."
"Bold assumption you'll get the chance."
His thumb brushes my throat. "That wasn't an assumption."
Heat spreads through my chest, and I hate that my body's betraying me like this. "You're awfully confident for someone who just let me take his envelope."
"I didn't let you do anything."
"Then how am I still holding it?"
For a second I think he might actually hurt me, and honestly, I'm worried I might want him to.
So not the time, Keira.
"You're going to regret this," he says quietly.
"Probably…but not tonight." My voice comes out weird and breathy.
Ew. Get it together.
His grip loosens just enough, and I don't hesitate this time, ducking under his arm and stepping away—even though every instinct I have is yelling at me to stay exactly where I am.
"See you around, Teakwood."
"Count on it, Red." His voice trails after me.
I walk away casually, as if my pulse isn't skidding out of control. For no reason at all. I got away with it, and I'll never see this man again, so I'm not sure why I'm all shaky.
The moment I turn the corner, I let myself breathe.
