I’d never been more alone.
Sleep was almost nonexistent. Between the full-body aches, the ghost that Tristan left behind, and the longing in my chest for a man I could never have, I doubted I got more than an hour total.
I managed to get half a protein shake down before I tipped the rest down the sink, my stomach refusing to take anything more in.
Maybe later.
I tried to call Coyote again. This time, he answered.
“Snake,” he said quietly.
“I got what you wanted.”
“Good. I’ll come get it later today.”
“Fine. We’re even now.”
He laughed. “Not even close.”
I knew this, of course. But I didn’t appreciate the reminder. “This is an expensive piece of tech, Coyote. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to—”
“You still owe me,” he interrupted.
Nausea twisted at my stomach’s meager contents. Would he hold this over my head? Threaten me with it later? I’d needed his help, but I didn’t know why he’d helped me. Was it really just because I was a Stray? “I can pay you.”
“This isn’t blackmail, Snake. I helped you, and someday you’ll help me. I don’t want your money.”
“I don’t like owing people.”
“Well, you should have thought of that before you asked me for help.”
Just tell me what you want. I wanted to scream. My skin itched. My chest tightened. I needed to get off the phone because I couldn’t mask it from my voice. “Whatever. Don’t take too long. I am very busy, you know.”
“I’m sure you are.”
“Hmm.” I ended the call, tossing my phone onto the countertop and going to shower.
Expecting Coyote’s visit had stopped me from going back into the office again. When I still hadn’t heard from him by late afternoon, I’d tried calling a few more times.
He hadn’t answered.
I’d spent the time alone with my girls, watching them move about their tanks and letting Aurelia explore my unusually loose clothing.
There were things inside me now that couldn’t be spoken out loud, not even to them. Not to anyone.
I’d called Matthew after I’d gotten off the phone with Coyote earlier, letting him know he should expect a Dex Weller to show up, so he didn’t turn him away the moment he arrived. Coyote didn’t exactly fit in, and Matthew wasn’t good at keeping his judgement to himself.
My eyes were heavy. I was so tired as I sat in the black leather armchair in my room, looking out at the city colors, wondering where Benny was in them all. I almost dozed off before I heard the elevator ding in the main room.
I adjusted my clothing, making myself look as presentable and thereforeunaffectedas possible.
Coyote was waiting in the living room, his attention on Celestine.
“You’re late.” I managed not to wince as I crossed my arms.
Coyote turned to face me. “I’m very busy, you know.”
He thought he was so clever. Or maybe he just enjoyed teasing and provoking people. “Are you forgetting this was a favor you specifically asked me for, Coyote?”
