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Lachlan didn’t pry or offer some meaningless comfort. He simply let me drop it.

I liked him better for it, which was dangerous enough to annoy me.

He drew his next breath too deeply, and his jaw locked, drawing my attention back to the bruises covering his ribs and the reason I’d come down here in the first place.

“And here you are worrying about me when you’re the one chained to a chair and beaten half to death.” I lifted the damp cloth again. “Where does it hurt?”

“Lots of places. Take your pick.”

For a second, I didn’t know what to say. The man had been tortured for hours and answered as casually as if I’d asked what he wanted for dinner.

“But I’m still alive,” he added. “That’ll do for tonight.”

He didn’t insult me by claiming he was fine. I’d spent my life around men who lied whenever the truth threatened their pride. Lachlan gave me the ugly truth and moved on.

I liked that too.

“Hold still. This is going to sting.”

“Do your worst, Mouse.”

There was that name again.

“I’m beginning to think you enjoy annoying me.”

“Aye.”

“At least you’re honest about it.”

“One of my better qualities.”

“I’ll reserve judgment.”

I raised the cloth, then realized the blindfold covered too much of his cheek.

“I need to lower this first. I can’t clean the cut properly with it in the way.”

“I’d like that.”

I loosened the cloth carefully and drew it down past his nose and mouth until it rested around his neck, leaving the knot in place so I could put it back exactly as I’d found it.

He blinked against the light.

Isabeast had called his eyes emeralds. For once, she hadn’t exaggerated. They were a vivid green despite the bloodshot whites and dark shadows beneath them.

His eyes found mine.

Then they dropped slowly.

Over the fitted bodice, down the skirt, and all the way to my bare feet before returning to my face.

Heat followed every inch of that slow inspection.

Bruised, bloody, and chained, he still managed to look at me like a man imagining exactly what he might do if his hands were free.

My nipples tightened beneath the bodice.

Of all the foolish reactions to have in my father’s dungeon, my body chose that one.