Page 9 of Marked By the Broken Orc
“Interesting. I went to get lunch at my favorite sandwich place I love, and I realized it’s right next to Heat & Ink. You know, that place you mentioned.”
He blinks with surprise. “You went to Talon’s shop?”
“Well, yes. I was curious because I’ve never been in a tattoo place before.” I step closer,
watching his reaction. “I met your friend, Talon. And his cats.”
“His guard cats?”
“Yes. Shadow, Ink, and Cole. They’re amazing. Shadow hissed at me at first, but then they all let me pet them.”
Kavin’s eyes widen. “They let you pet them?”
“Yeah. Talon seemed pretty surprised about it too. Said they don’t usually like strangers.”
“They don’t like anyone except Talon. Even the orcs who work there can’t get near them. They barely acceptme.”
“Well, they liked me.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, but inside I’m celebrating. This is clearly significant. I crook an eyebrow. “Maybe I have a way with difficult personalities.”
His jaw clenches, and I can see him processing this information.
“Anyway,” I boldly continue, “I was thinking, since we’re neighbors and all, maybe I should have your number. You know, in case of emergencies.”
The question hangs in the air between us.
“Emergencies,” he repeats.
“Sure. Like if there’s a fire in the building. Or if I accidentally play my music too loud.”
He grins. “You’re not going to do that again.”
A smile twitches on the corner of my lips. “Probably not. But you never know.”
He stares at me for a long moment, and I can practically see the internal debate happening behind his dark eyes. Finally, he pulls out his phone. “What’s your number?”
I tell him my number, watching as he enters it into his contacts. Then my phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.This is Kavin.
“There,” he says, but his voice sounds slightly strained. “For emergencies.”
“For emergencies,” I agree, trying not to smile too widely.
He looks like he wants to say something else, but instead just nods and heads toward the building.
“See you around, neighbor,” I call after him.
He doesn’t respond, but I catch him glancing back once before he disappears inside.
I wait until his door closes before I let another smile spread across my face.
Chapter 4
Kavin
Igave my phone number to Mia Martin.
What was I thinking?
My first day at the fire station went well. Better than expected, actually. The crew accepted me without the wariness or complications I’d anticipated. Chief Jackson paired me with Lieutenant Kowalski, a twenty-year veteran who showed me the ropes without making me feel like an outsider. We ran three calls today, a kitchen fire, a fender bender, and a medical assist and I proved my worth on each one.
