Page 70 of Slay Me

“Yes.”

“Why did she attack you?” he questions.

“Because she thought I was sleeping with the Ringmaster.”Which I absolutely am now.

“Fucking jealous bitch.” He tightens both hands into fists, his skin momentarily sprouting feathers as his magic surges alongside his anger. “Where have you been?” His gaze narrows on my face almost as though he expects me to lie. “With a healer?”

“She broke two of my ribs, shattered my kneecap, and I very nearly bled out internally,” I repeat what Adaya told me.

He pales. “You nearly died?” Apollo chokes on that last word as though uttering it bothers him—immensely.

“I did. So, that being said, I’m fine, but I’m exhausted.”

He reaches behind him and shuts the door. “When I saw him carrying you down the hall, I thought he’d discovered our plan,” he whispers. “That he’d taken it out on you. Honestly, until I saw Valentina’s body, I thought he was lying.” Apollo shivers. “For a minute there, I really thought you’d taken the blame and he’d killed you for it.”

I don’t know why, but Apollo is pissing me off. It’s illogical, of course. After all, I’d gone to him and asked him to leave with me. Not the other way around. “No, he rescued me.”

Apollo nods. “Then, since you’re back, we can leave tonight. Go anywhere you want.”

Fear makes my heart race. Leave? Now? “Actually, I’m not ready to leave,” I reply quickly.

Apollo narrows his gaze. “What? Why the hell not? You nearly died.”

“Yes, but Valentina is gone now, and I’m safe. I want to stay. For now,” I add quickly, not wanting him to suspect that anything between Dante and me has changed. The last thing I need are rumors spreading.

What’s between Dante and me is great, but it’s not for the others. Not until he decides to open that door.

“Why?” he questions.

“Because I’m scared,” I say. It’s a half-truth but one he bites.

Apollo’s expression softens. “Okay. Well, do you need anything? I can sit and watch over you while you rest.”

“No. I’m fine, really.”

“I’m not leaving you here alone,” he says sternly.

“You are,” I reply, harsher this time. “Seriously, I don’t need you, and frankly, I don’t want anyone here.”

Ignoring me completely, Apollo crosses the room and sits down in my chair. Then, he grins and closes his eyes. “Like I’m not even here.”

“Apo—” My door opens, and Killian the guard steps in.

He grins at me. “Nice to see you alive.”

“I—”

His gaze shifts from me to Apollo. I follow it, surprised to see the gryffin glaring at our newcomer. “You are not supposed to be in here, Gryffin,” Killian says, venom in his tone.

“And I don’t think my friendship with Liv is any of your fucking business, grunt.”

Killian grins at him. “Big ‘ol balls on you, huh? I’ll make you a deal. She says you can stay and I’ll leave. But if you refuse, I’ll cut your cock off and feed it to you. Sound good? After all, birds like little worms, don’t they?”

Apollo’s cheeks turn crimson, and he gets to his feet.

“For fucks sake. Just go, Apollo,” I tell him.

“Since when do you need private security?” he demands.

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