Page 176 of I Will Mend You

I return to wrap a tight band around the base of his penis, making him twist around. “Stay still,” I mutter around the metallic hilt. “Don’t ruin your dessert.”

“Wait!” he cries out. “I have information on Delta!”

I take the scalpel from between my teeth and press its blade into the pulse point beneath his jaw. “What is it?”

“Release me and I’ll take you. I can even help you get back that girl.”

I glance over my shoulder to see if Xero overheard. He’s busy on the other side of the church with his phone, unaware of the exchange. I return to Seth and press my blade beneath his chin.

“How do I know this isn’t bullshit?”

Seth shivers, his breath coming in ragged pants. “It wasn’t Delta who left us for dead. It was that two-faced bitch, Dolly. Help me take her down and I’ll?—”

“What the fuck is this?” Xero’s bellow echoes across the church.

My heart skips several beats. I whirl around, my eyes widening.

Xero’s eyes lock onto mine, his fury palpable even from across the room. He strides down the aisle, the intensity in his gaze making my pulse race.

I step back and bump into the table of instruments, the cold metal pressing into my skin. Unpleasant shivers race down my spine. He’s about to ruin my plan.

“What are you telling her?” Xero snarls, his voice menacing and low.

Seth trembles, his face pale. “I was just... I was just trying to stay alive.”

Xero’s expression hardens. “You think you can negotiate your way out of dying?” He turns to fix me with a glower. “What did he tell you?”

“He has information on Dolly and Delta,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

Xero’s eyes narrow. “You trust him?”

“No, but it’s worth hearing him out,” I reply, my grip tightening on the scalpel. The metal hilt bites into my palm. It’s the only thing keeping me grounded in the face of his anger.

Xero steps closer to Seth, standing so close their faces are inches apart. “Start talking. Fast.”

Seth swallows hard. “I can broker a swap. Amy in exchange for the other girl.”

“Out of the question,” he snaps.

Frustration roils through my insides, building in intensity until it bursts out in a scream. I whirl on Xero, wondering how one man can be so stubborn. “How else are we going to save Camila?”

His jaw tightens, his eyes darkening like thunderclouds before a storm. “I nearly lost you once. Losing you again isn’t an option. I would die before handing you over to those monsters.”

Guilt crushes my chest, making me choke back a sob. How many times has he put himself on the line for me? “You can’t keep coddling me or making such huge sacrifices. I’ve already cost you so much.”

“You’re wrong,” he snarls.

“If that’s true, then when will you confront me for nearly setting you on fire?”

Xero’s features harden. His eyes bore into mine, filled with a pain I rarely see. He slams his fist into Seth’s gut wound, earning himself a pained groan. “You think I haven’t wanted to scream at you for jumping to conclusions?”

His words cut deep, flaring up my guilt. I always knew the resentment would eventually surface. My throat tightens, and I gulp. “Then let me fix this. Let me go there. You can even provide back up.”

Xero grabs my throat, making me gasp. His skin is hot, the pulse in his fingers beating wildly against my skin. “I was disappointed. After everything we went through together, you didn’t trust me.”

My eyes widen, and I use his confession as ammunition. “Then let me fix this. Use me as bait to save Camila. Let me show you just how much I trust you. See that as my way of making things right.”

His eyes flash with anger, his features tightening with hurt. “You want to apologize for leaving me in a fire to die? Then you can stay here while I burn down this fucking church.”

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