Page 78 of Crown of Smoke

“They tossed him into an alley like a piece of garbage. Blaise found him, thank God.” The rage in Ash’s voice has me stepping back.

“Why? I mean, that sounds like more than just a fight.”

He looks pointedly at me. “They blame him for O’Brian.”

I stare back, not sure what that means. And then I remember. The alley. Flint saved me from O’Brian and his friends.

But it still doesn’t make sense. Why after all this time? “But that was weeks?—”

“O’Brian has gone missing and the Keans have decided Flint is the reason.” His eyes bore into me, and I know he’s thinking I’m to blame. I’m the reason Flint went into that alley. He’s not wrong.

“Is he going to be okay?”

“He’s asking for you. And Flint doesn't ask for anything…" He doesn’t finish the sentence. He can’t because he’s choking up.

Oh, God. I don’t want Flint to die. And despite everything, I can't ignore his pain. I grab my purse. "Take me to him."

He nods and leads me out to his car. As he starts to drive, he holds up a dark cloth. "You'll need to wear this."

"A blindfold? Really?" All of a sudden, I’m wondering if I’ve fallen for a trick. Am I a liability they need to get rid of? Does Flint know what Ash is doing?

"We can't risk your knowing where he is." His tone leaves no room for argument. "Your choice, wear it or I take you back home."

I don’t know what to believe, but all I can think of is Flint. "Fine." I snatch the blindfold from his hand. The fabric is soft but opaque as I tie it around my eyes. "Happy?"

"This is for everyone's protection. Including yours."

As we drive, I try to note the route. Left, right, straight for what feels like ages. But without visual markers, I quickly lose track.

"I hate this," I mutter, fingers twisting in my lap. "How do I know you're really taking me to Flint?"

"You don't. You're choosing to trust us, despite everything. That means something."

It does mean something, but what? That I'm naive? Reckless? Or maybe just desperate to see the man who's turned my life upside down, whom I’m terrified I may never see again.

The car takes another turn, and my stomach lurches. I'm putting myself completely in the hands of a family known for violence, all because Flint asked for me. Either I'm incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.

Maybe both. Definitely both.

Ash leads me from the car, up some steps, and then we walk a ways. He’s careful when he guides me, letting me know of obstacles in my way.

Finally, we stop. When Ash removes my blindfold, my knees nearly buckle. Flint lies on a bed, his face so swollen and bruised, I barely recognize him. Dark purple spreads across his jaw and his eyes are covered with a bandage. His ribs are wrapped, and his breathing comes in shallow, labored gasps.

I rush to his side, my hand hovering over his battered form, afraid to touch and cause more pain. "Oh, God, Flint…"

He stills. “Lucy?” His voice comes out raspy, broken.

“Yes it’s me. God, you…” I want to say he looks awful, but I suspect how he looks pales in comparison to how he feels.

“I was hit by a tank.” He gives a small laugh and then groans in pain.

“You’re not funny,” Blaise snaps from the doorway.

I look at the three brothers, not sure what’s going on.

“The other fighter was called Tank,” Ash explains.

“Oh. I see. Your brother is right. It’s not funny.”

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