Page 14 of Bonds of Hercules
Her gaze shuttered.
Eyelashes coated in ice, wild curls frozen to her flushed face, she swayed on her feet like she was going to pass out as blood poured from her leg.
Rage and fear mixed inside my chest in a toxic combination.
“Look at me,” I demanded.
She turned away.
Dark thoughts mixed with helpless emotions. My aggression was chasing her away. I was known as the hunter of my generation for a reason—I knew when it was time to switch tactics.
I need to pretend to be a nice man.
With a deep breath, I lowered my voice and relaxed my posture. “Please … let me help you.”
The setting sun cast streaks of pink across her stubborn expression.
I pulled off my helmet and dropped it to show her I wasn’t a threat (I was). “We need to create a tourniquet around your leg and tie off your wound. You’re losing a lot of blood.”
Slowly, I unbuckled my armpit holsters and dropped my weapons onto the grass. I tugged off my black hunting shirt and handed the fabric over to her.
“Tie this around your leg.”
Alexis stared at it.
“Here—let me help.” I dropped to my knees.
The pads of my fingers grazed across her calf—awareness tingled up my arm, and I swallowed a guttural groan. Shifting to hide the inappropriate bulge in my pants, I wrapped the shirt around the top of her calf.
Keep it together. She’s fucking injured, you animal.As gently as possible, I tied it off in a knot.
“Thanks,” Alexis whispered hoarsely.
Water melted off her eyelashes and dripped onto my cheek—she was looking down at me with a strange expression.
Badump-Badump-Badump.My heart was in my throat.
It was the first word she’d said to me in months.
Moisture blurred my vision—I blinked it away.
Tie her up. Grab her quickly; she’s not expecting it. Throw her over your shoulder and leap away. Chain her to your side.
I swallowed thickly.
No. Give her a choice.
I forced my shoulders to relax.
“Let’s … get you back to the base so we can bandage you up properly.” I stood up to my full height and offered her my hand. “I’ll leap us back.”
Be the good guy.
Her expression became guarded.
Fuck, I should have grabbed her.
“Why—not?” My neck tensed and I tried not to bare my teeth like a predator.
