at me with darkness in his eyes and a promise I really hoped he would keep.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about," I said casually.
"I'll kill that little worm, Fifty-Three for touching you."
"Will you now?" I purred, arching a brow at him. "Why do you care so much, boss man?"
Cain's nostrils flared and he leaned down to speak into my ear. "What makes you think I care? I'm your CO. It's my job to look after you."
I laughed, tossing my hair over my shoulder and starting back towards the central part of the library, turning my back on him without giving a shit that it was a huge insult.
"Whatever you wanna tell yourself. But maybe you should make sure you're going after the right Fae before you start out on a mission of vengeance," I purred as I moved to leave, but he shot around in front of me, making me flinch, which in turn made my head spin and I stumbled back against a bookshelf with a curse.
Cain caught my waist and tugged me upright with a growl, digging his hand into his pocket and offering me a small bottle of blue potion.
"What's that?" I grunted, trying to shake him off but he wouldn't let go.
"It's a regeneration potion," he said. "It will help your blood get back to normal levels."
"So sweet," I cooed, taking it and eyeing it suspiciously. My family had a lot of enemies and we were always careful about accepting drinks from strangers, but in this place it wasn't like I could really be picky. "I guess you're concerned there won't be enough blood for you to drink if I don't get back to normal quickly."
I unscrewed the bottle, ignoring the frown Cain offered me that said he was mildly offended by that suggestion. But what did he expect me to think? That he'd gotten me this potion for no other reason than his unyielding care for my health? Please. I'd believe that when he managed to keep his teeth out of me for a month. He’d certainly caved fast enough when I’d offered it to him. And even if he did manage not to bite me again, I'd probably still have doubts.
I downed the contents of the little bottle and then smiled sweetly at him.
“If Fifty-Three isn’t the one who attacked you then why was he found with the weapon and why would he confess?” Cain asked and I rolled my eyes at him.
“Use your noggin, Stronzo. I’m not telling you shit, so figure it out or stop wasting my time.”
Cain narrowed his eyes on me. “Which gang is Fifty-Three in?” he asked.
“Before today, I didn’t even know that stronzo existed,” I replied in distaste.
Cain looked like he wanted to shake the answer out of me and then his eyes lit up like he’d figured something out. “You’re friendly with the Lion and One is your mate. The only other gang leader to come after you and not be dead yet for it is Gustard.”
I shrugged like I had no idea what he was talking about, but I winked as he frowned and that gave him pause. I guessed he was wondering why I was letting Gustard get away with that shit, but I seriously doubted he’d ever be able to figure it out.
"Come on then, boss man, tell me what it is you want me to do to pay for that kindness,” I asked, handing him the little potion bottle to distract his inquisitive mind from the issue at hand.
"Fuck off, Twelve," he snapped. "Don’t ever make me out to be like that motherfucker, Nixon. That's the last time I'll do you a favour."
I scoffed but he was already shooting away, leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth like I owed him something now. But fuck that. I'd just call this payment for one of the days he’d left me down in the hole. Eighty-nine more little favours like that and we'd be square. Until then, Officer Stronzo could go suck on a rotten egg.
By the time I reached the rest of our crew of escapees, I found Ethan looking like he was about to rip Christopher's head off while Roary and Sin closed in behind him like they wanted a turn too.
"How did Gustard even tell him about our plans?" Ethan snarled, his gaze swinging to me like maybe I wanted the scumbag rapist on the team with us. I guessed in my absence, Gustard had made it clear he