Page 40 of Scavenger's Oath
No.
I did the right thing.
I know I did.
So why the fuck does it feel like I failed heranyway?
Chapter 14
Phoenix
I don't get it.
I thought they'd be over her by now. Had their fill and moved on. It’s been two fucking weeks!
But she got under their skin without even trying. If she knows what she’s doing, she’s a mastermind. If she doesn’t… it’s even worse. That’d make her a complication I can’t predict.
I don’t have time to coddle a stray the boys picked up. Someone has to think with their head instead of their cock, so I’ve kept my distance.
Curiosity istheirluxury, not mine. They can distract themselves with a new toy, but I’ll keep this place running.
Vulnerability is a goddamn curse. It's a noose around your neck the second you let yourself care.
But the last few days, I’ve kept hearing Zane’s voice. The tension in it. As if he’d been wounded by her ‘offering’.
It’s a perfectly logical trade. She's clearly already accepted that's the only reason she’s still alive.
Yet, he walked away from that like it broke his heart. Zane—the most lethal man I've ever met—ran like his skin was on fire.
Might’ve been antagonistic to encourage him to accept it, but what can I say? Zane needs the outlet and Myles needs someoneto burst his bubble.
What is it about her?
Is she reallythatspecial?
And is that the kind of offer she'd make to anyone?
As soon as the thought pops into my mind, I snuff it out. I hate myself for even wondering.
No. I’m not curious.
After spending years cultivating control and building walls, I refuse to see them crack because of a slight disturbance.
Exhaling my frustration through my nose, I look towards the cell again. Clenching my jaw, I turn and walk toward the armoury.
This will burn out, like everything else. I just need to be patient.
It's past midnight when I finally give in.
I told myself I wouldn't go. Spent the whole night sharpening blades that didn't need sharpening. Checking weapons we haven't used in weeks, I found excuses to stay away.
Then I snapped the tip off one of the knives because I wasn’t paying attention. Didn’t even realise I’d drawn blood until I saw it dripping from my palm.
Her cell’s been quiet. Zane fighting his urges. Myles licking his wounds.
And that silence is louder than I expected.
Before I know it, I’m making my way down the hall like a ghost, breathing slow, treading lightly. The building hums softly around me. The distant rattle of the wind against boarded windows. The kind of hush that makes your own thoughts sound like thunder.
