Page 55 of Moments of Malevolence

“Yes, very much so.” His jaw is set, and his brows are furrowed.

“It’s not you who was stabbed.”

“I’ve been stabbed before,” he says.

“What did you do to that person?”

“Well, the first time, I gave him a black eye…” He smirks. “It was Kyson.” My brows shoot up at that bit of information. “The second… I killed.” He shrugs like it’s nothing. “He obviously was not my brother and did not get a pass.”

I pause in the doorway.

“I’m not sleeping with you,” I declare.

“I’ll take the couch.” He nods to the house for me to enter. When we’re both safely inside he locks the door. I like his house, even though it’s so minimalist. I know he spends a lot of time here. It smells like him, and despite my wanting to hate that as well, it somehow comforts me.

“I’m only staying tonight,” I warn.

“No, you will stay a minimum of two nights. I need to change the dressing.” I clench my jaw, but he ignores it and opens the door to his bedroom. “The sheets are fresh, and I’ll get you something to sleep in.” He opens a drawer and pulls out a black shirt, then passes it to me. “I can go and buy you fresh underwear if you prefer.”

“I’ll wear yours.” He nods again, a smile teasing his lips as if he’s happy with that answer and comes back holding a black pair of briefs. “You can leave now. I need to change.” I nod to the door.

“And how do you expect to lift that tight shirt over your head?” he asks, eyeing the piece of clothing in question.

I turn around and give him my back. “Cut it off of me,” I order. “It’s not like I plan to wear it ever again.”

His phone starts ringing loudly, and he takes it out of his pocket and places it on speaker before throwing it on his bed. “What?”

“Is she okay?” I hear the voice and know who it is straight away.

“Hey, Louise,” I answer.

“Oh God, I feel so stupid. I was talking to you, and you were stabbed, and it didn’t even register, Alaska. Shit, are you okay?”

“How did you get this number?” I ask, but she doesn’t answer, Zuko does.

“I gave it to her so she can check on you.” Something inside of me swells at the thought. I’ve never really had anyone care for me before. No one to look after me the way Zuko is. My appendix burst once, and they asked me who to put as my next of kin. I had no one. Now, I have two people. Both are forced,I think—one I plan to set his house on fire, and the other gives unwanted cuddles.

“Do you need anything? I can see you tomorrow,” she offers.

“I need everything, and he won’t let me go home,” I complain as I hear a ripping sound. Zuko tears my shirt in half up my back and then moves around to face me as he removes the remnants of my shirt until I’m left standing in front of him in my bra.

“Okay, well, I’ll call back in the morning to see what you want me to get for you. Get some rest. And I’m glad you are doing okay.” She doesn’t hang up after she speaks. I wait and glance at the phone, and after a few silent moments, she finally mumbles, “Who did it?”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow,” I reply.

Zuko reaches for the phone and hangs up on her before he comes to stand in front of me. “Sit.”

I glance at his bed and do as he says.

He gets down on his knees and pulls off my boots one by one, followed by my socks. Standing, he places them at the door and comes back to me. “Sleep with the bra on or off?”

I reach for the clip, which just so happens to be at the front, and undo it. My tits fall free, but I don’t care. Zuko’s eyes lock on my chest before he reaches for his shirt and starts dressing me.

“Have you ever cared for anyone in your life?” I ask, just as he slides my arm through one of the holes carefully. He does the same with the other arm, not answering me until he pulls the sheets back on the bed.

“No.” He motions for me to crawl in, but I don’t move. “Am I doing okay?” he asks, unsure, and my heart skips a beat at his vulnerability. It’s the first sign of this type of emotion that I have seen from him.

I’m far from the sappiest person. I have an exterior shell that is almost impossible to crack.

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