Page 25 of Fury

“Almost there,” Davis told her.

Just when she was at her breaking point, the pressure was gone.

“Done.” Davis grabbed some gauze and pressed it firmly into her palm.

Hollyn groaned and opened her eyes.

The doorbell chimed as he kept working on her hand. She slipped her phone from the apron pocket. Noticed the fabric covered with blood droplets. The corner of her lip curled in disgust.

Perfect. You destroyed two heirlooms in one morning.

A tap brought up the porch camera feed.

“It’s Archie,” Hollyn stated. Dread weighed her down. She didn’t want to do this. Any of this. But she’d already told him she would.

“Leave him out there.” Davis didn’t look up as he readied a tube that readliquid stitcheswith one hand. He moved through the steps like he’d done it a thousand times.

Which he probably had, she realized.

“The fresh air will do him good.”

“What’s the deal with you two?” she breathed. “You spoke, like, five words to each other when you met.”

“Five too many.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know why you two don’t get along.”

“I get along with everyone,” he countered with a mischievous expression. Just as quickly, it was replaced by a look of disdain. “It’s that?—”

Hollyn arched an eyebrow even as pain continued pulsing in her palm.

“—twerp”—the stress he put on the word told her he had other names in mind for Archie—“that doesn’t get along with me.”

Maybe it was her fault. She’d mentioned Davis and his career to Archie a few times. Had she inadvertently said something that would put her friend on edge before he had a chance to even get to know Davis?

On her phone, Hollyn tapped the button that unlocked the front door. “Yes, you do seem to have a very warm and inviting disposition when it comes to him. Much like a caged tiger looking for dinner?”

Davis smirked as the front door opened and closed. “One of my better features. Stay.” His command stalled the shepherd’s upward motion even as his wink sent Hollyn’s heart fluttering.

How many different emotions could she feel in the span of a few minutes? It was dizzying.

Gaze dropping to his mouth, her vision tunneled. She’d always wondered what it would be like to kiss him.

“Hollyn.” His voice was deep. Gravelly.

Their eyes met even as she felt frozen in place. Could he feel whatever this was between them too?

You’re playing with fire.

Archie entered the room. Davis cleared his throat and started applying the bandages.

“Hollyn!”

Fury hopped up and let off a growl in the direction of her friend as he neared the kitchen. The fur along his spine rose.

“Down,” Davis muttered like he didn’t really want to call the dog off.

Archie’s face blanched at the sight of the dog, whom he side-skirted, a laptop in hand. He was here for her help on a work project. When they’d talked early this morning, he’d let it slip that he was having trouble. At first, he’d refused her help because he didn’t want to add to her plate, but she begged him to let her in on it. Now she was regretting that decision.

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