Page 9 of Torqued Off

He slides to a stop. “You okay?”

“Am I a hostage or am I free to go, Thane?”

“You aren’t safe out there.”

“Why not?”

“I know things, but I can’t tell you.” He runs a hand over his mohawk, and the strands rocket to attention. “I promise, if I could tell you, I would.”

“So you’re lying to me.” My jaw sets and the spitfire in my gut rages, and the burn is rough for this man that I’ve started to trust. “And F.Y.I., I consider omission a lie.”

He inhales deep, and I can see a man fighting to retain his composure. Not staving off anger, but staving off getting into a fight. “Baby—”

“Nope. You don’t get to call me that until you’re completely honest with me, and even then, we’ll discuss if you get the privilege.”

He closes his eyes and when they open, he sighs a heavy and long breath out. “Okay, you’re right. That’s fair.”

Clearly I’ve been placated to end the conversation and his discomfort. But part of me doesn’t care. I’m exhausted. I’m confused. I need a glass of water and I want to sit down. And not have bullets grazing the air around me.

I text Gia back.

Bree: I’m okay. Going to be off the grid for a while. I’ve got my red lipstick with me.

That red lipstick comment should be enough to really allay any of her fears.

Gia: You lose your lipstick and you let me know. I’ll bring you one ASAP.

I laugh.

You can’t even go ten minutes without having to use the bathroom, Momma-to-be!

Bree: Promise, I’m fine. I’ve got back-up.

Gia: Hades?

I’m sure Quinn and Arrow told her.

Bree: Gotta go. My lipstick needs reapplying.

Gia: Stay safe.

I will. I hope.

And now I need to take care of that damn graze on his back.

A bullet only slipped over the top layers of skin, but the fact I’m thinking “only” is weird in itself. There’s no reason for this.

And it could have been me.

I shiver as I search the bathroom cabinets. I finally come across one that still has some supplies. I grab some gauze and tape. Every member of the Red Lipstick is required to have basic First Aid skills committed to memory. You never know when someone will go down with their bike and timing is of the essence. Doesn’t mean we’re all good at it. Some people just don’t have that calm.

But Hades—I mean Thane—he was an eerie calm. And now I know why. He saw some shit somewhere and it’s still inside of him.

And there are some things a person can’t unsee or unfeel. That bullet graze wasn’t the only injury he’s had. His lower back is peppered with puckers and fresh-looking, pink skin. And after we started talking about it, I watched him searching his pockets for something. Part of me wonders the extent of the lasting effects he’s dealing with.

I grab some antibiotic ointment and then head to the kitchen, plopping all of the items onto the table.

I can hear him on the phone in the bedroom. Every other word is muffled and as much as I don’t want to listen in, I can’t help myself.

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