Page 166 of Villainous Intent

“It’s not important,” I said, pushing myself to my feet. I needed to gain control of the conversation so I could direct the narrative away from the truth. “What matters is why you’re⁠—“

The world tilted violently. The floor rushed up toward me as my vision tunneled, darkness creeping in at the edges. My legs buckled, refusing to support my weight any longer.

“Cipher!” Annie rushed forward, catching me before I could collapse completely. Her small frame somehow managed to support mine as she guided me back into the chair. “Jesus Christ, what’s wrong with you?”

Her mouth moved, concern sharpening to anger in her voice, but the words blurred together. Something about “stubborn” and “idiot.” Her hands were on my face, cool against my skin. She tilted my head up, forcing my eyes to meet hers. The blue of her irises was the only thing in perfect focus in a world gone fuzzy at the edges.

“Listen to me,” she said, her voice cutting through the fog in my brain. “Shower. Food. Sleep. In that order. Now. That’s not a request.”

I tried to come up with a smart ass response, but all I could do was nod, too exhausted to argue, too relieved at her presence to question it.

CHAPTER 34

ANNIE

I stared at the false windows in Cipher’s bedroom, the artificial moonlight streaming across the lower half of the bed. The simulation was perfect, the subtle shifting of light as digital clouds passed over the face of the moon, the gentle gradient of darkness around the edges. It was almost better than real moonlight, consistent and controlled. Like everything else in Cipher’s world.

He’d been asleep for hours now, but getting him there had been a challenge. The man had been running on pure adrenaline for I don’t know how long. I’d forced him into the shower, his shoulders slumping as hot water finally relaxed muscles wound tight. Then I’d made him eat something, ignoring his protests until the plate was empty. He’d collapsed into bed directly after that. He hadn’t even had enough energy to pull the covers over himself.

I’d never seen him look so human.

What was I even doing here? He was asleep now. Fed. Clean. Taken care of. Mission accomplished. I should leave. That would be the smart thing to do. Return to my apartment, put some distance between us, process everything that had happened. Instead, I was lying fully clothed on top of his covers, trying not to disturb him.

I turned my head to look at him. In sleep, the hardness was gone from him. No smirk, no calculating gaze, just the gentle rise and fall of his chest, one arm flung above his head, the other resting across his stomach.

I’d fought with myself before coming to the Labyrinth. I’d paced back and forth in my bedroom, telling myself I would look desperate and clingy if I showed up unannounced. That I’d be crossing some invisible line.

But then I’d remembered he’d sent me freaking hands, so I’d come anyway, and good thing I had. The sight of him when I arrived was shocking. Dried blood had covered his skin and armor, his eyes sunken. He’d been utterly exhausted.

But I needed to go now. He wouldn’t want me here when he woke up. When Cipher came back to his senses, he’d be angry that I’d barged in and ordered him around like some overbearing nurse.

What had I been thinking? That I could waltz into his domain and take charge? That I could put Cipher to bed like a child? God, he’d hate that. He’d hate the implication of weakness.

“Why do you look so furious?”

My gaze snapped up to meet silver eyes watching me. I smoothed my expression and sat up. “I’m not furious. Just thinking.”

“Why are you still dressed and on top of the covers?” His voice was rough with sleep, deeper than usual.

I stared at him, confused by the question. “What?”

“I know you don’t sleep fully clothed, Annie.” His eyes traveled down my body, taking in my sweatshirt and jeans.

I scrambled for what to say, feeling like I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t. “I was just staying in case you needed something. I was about to go, actually.”

“Stealing off in the middle of the night?” His mouth quirked up at one corner.

“I didn’t want to intrude,” I finally said. “You needed rest, and now you’re resting, so…”

In the artificial moonlight, Cipher’s eyes almost seemed to glow. “Lay down, Annie.” He closed his eyes again, looking for all the world like he was going back to sleep. “Under the covers this time.”

My stomach dipped at his command. Or was it a request? Hell, it didn’t really matter.

I slid off the bed. With my back to him, I took off my jeans, folding them neatly over a nearby chair, then shimmied out of my bra under the cover of my sweatshirt. I gave a small sigh of relief as the underwire finally stopped digging into my skin.

I made sure to leave plenty of space between us as I climbed into bed and stared up at the ceiling, hyper-aware of his presence beside me.

I squeaked in surprise when Cipher rolled over and snaked his arm around me, pulling me against his chest.