Page 39 of The Devil's Weakness

“It’s not funny!”

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to laugh, but I can’t help it. Do you know how sexy you are when you’re angry?”

“Get out,” she orders.

“Oh, come on,” I begin, but she cuts me off.

“I’m serious. Thank you for the food, but please leave now.”

Apparently, that was thewrongthing to say. Out of everything I’ve said to her since coming down here, the fact that I complimented her is what made her kick me out.

“Okay,” I give in, standing and walking toward her. “Goodnight, Sasha.”

Looking down at her small body beneath me, I nearly tell her I’m not going anywhere. That I don’t want to leave, and I’m not ready for our conversation to be over. But I don’t. I’ll respect her wishes. We can always continue this conversation tomorrow.

I pick up her plate and fork and lock her in her darkened cell once again. Then I take her dishes to the kitchen to wash and put them away. When I lay down in my bed again, I’m easily able to fall asleep to the memory of flames erupting behind her hazel eyes. I love watching her inner fire burn, and I can’t bear the thought of anyone extinguishing it.

* * *

The next morning,I’m woken up by a commotion downstairs. I’m sure it’s just some of my brothers, roughhousing. It happens all the time. Those assholes have no respect for people who might still be sleeping. Fuck, Drama is the worst offender. If he’s up, we’re all up. Ignoring it, I roll over and try to go back to sleep. I was up too late last night and need some more—

“Ahhhh!”

My thoughts are interrupted by a terrified, shrill scream coming from downstairs. I’m out of bed in a heartbeat once I realize who it belongs to.

Sasha.

Chapter Twelve

I don’t knowwhat time it is when I wake up, but I can’t imagine I’ve been asleep for long. The concrete floor of my cell doesn’t allow for comfort.

Not that I actually thought it would.

It took me a while to fall asleep last night after I kicked Blade out of here. It was a bitch move, but I don’t like being made fun of. I wish I hadn’t let it upset me so much. He didn’t actually say anything wrong, and I kicked out theoneperson in this place who may want to help me.

And theonlyperson to ever call you sexy.

Not just that, but it was nice to have a simple conversation with someone. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do that. Even before I left town. His offer of a question for a question was too good to pass up. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find myself enjoying his company after a while.

My chilled body heated the moment he told me that he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about me since that night at the diner. Is that why he’s been watching me? I always thought he was sending me a threatening reminder, so I remembered not to tell anyone about what I saw between him and Captain Turner.

Whether or not I felt his presence, I never would have told anyone.

It’s none of my business, and Captain Turner has always been kind to my family. I know not every cop is squeaky clean. Not every person is either. Who am I to judge?

I never thought Blade and I would have as much in common as we do. It broke my heart to hear about what happened to his parents. And knowing he was only ten, and he witnessed the whole thing? It’s abhorrent. He’s really lucky to have found Iron.

God, please pull through. If not for me, then for Blade.

The next time he’s down here, I need to apologize to him and see if he’d be up for another round. Now would be nice since my bladder is full and begging for a toilet. I sit in the back corner of the cell for a while, where I was sitting last night when Blade was here, and try to pass the time. First, I counted how many rivets there are inside of the cell, holding the steel door and walls into place. Then, I tried estimating how many pounds each piece of steel weighed. I wonder how many of them it took to get even one slab down here.

Thank goodness for the slight crack between the bottom of the door and the concrete floor, so I’m able to get a sliver of air in here. Laying on the floor in front of the door is where I was when I saw the shadow of footsteps appear in front of the cell.

Blade is back.

My heart rate picks up, and I can feel the slight flutter of butterflies in my stomach. If it weren’t for the promise of continued conversation and a bathroom, I don’t think I would feel anything upon his return.

Liar.

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