“Heavenly Hell,” I muttered again.
“You can do this,” Anya said in a semi-gentle tone. “There really isn’t any other option.”
“Thanks. I think. And what will you be doing?”
She crossed her arms over her green blouse. “Staying hidden in case you fail and die, and I need to guide someone else on how to eliminate my sister.”
“I take back my thanks.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I didn’t need it. I only want this nightmare to end.”
“Me too.”
I wokein the middle of the night and immediately froze; someone was in my bed. Their warm body pressed against mine. Then I heard the snore and relaxed. I peered over my shoulder.
He still wore yesterday’s clothes and lay on the covers with his injured foot. It appeared less club-like now, and a soft brace replaced the bandages.
I wondered if Sam knew he escaped again or if he’d healed him enough to let him leave.
Sitting up, unable to help myself, I smoothed his long bangs away from his face. His eyes fluttered open sleepily.
“Is it morning already?” Oliver grumbled. “I’m going to need coffee.”
“It’s not. But since when do you drink coffee?”
He turned over to face me, still hugging his pillow. “Since Sam.”
My expression softened. “He’s good for you.”
“Because he’s given me a caffeine addiction?”
I rolled my eyes.
Oliver smiled, snuggling deeper into bed. “He is. Just like Ronen’s good for you.”
I sighed, resting my head against the headboard. “I knew you had a favorite.”
“Yeah,” he mumbled. “You.”
“I love you, Oli.”
He made a noise, then started snoring again. Something I should be doing. The sleeping part, not the snoring. But my mind wouldn’t let me. And based on the emotions flowing into me from Ronen, he couldn’t either.
I changed out of my sleepwear and into something casual and comfortable, then picked up his letter. Rereading his words sent another spear of frustration through me.
I made my way to his door. For the longest moment, I stared at it. Hoping he was in there. Hoping he wasn’t. Crinkling his letter in my fist, my heartbeat picked up as my hand hovered inches from the wood. One deep breath, then I knocked.
Scratching and snuffling answered from the other side. Rune whimpered, trying to get to me. She didn’t have to wait long.
Ronen opened the door—shirtless. His hair still glistened as if he’d just stepped out of the shower. Beads of water traced slow paths down his inked abs and disappeared into the waistband of his sweats.
“Lucille?” His tone was composed. Polite. A lie in the face of his spiraling emotions.
Rune bumped into my leg, immediately seeking out my touch.
“Is something wrong?”
I supposed my irritation and nerves gave him that impression.
