Page 93 of Heathens

“How’s this, I’ll tie your wrists to the bottom of the bedposts and leave your ankles free.”

She gives me the sweetest smile, one I’m so desperate to trust.

“Thank you.”

I nod.

“Let’s make up your bed. You need fresh sheets.”

I grab new linens out of the bottom drawer of the dresser, and to my surprise, she helps me make up her little prison. Wordlessly, we strip the bedding and I toss the old stuff into a pile on the floor. We tuck the fresh sheets under each corner of the bed and I take the time to fluff up her pillows as she lingers by the dresser, holding one of her wrists.

I raise a brow.

“Does it hurt?”

She shakes her head.

“I was just wondering something.”

“What?”

“You’re gonna keep me here, right?”

“Until Rene is dead and the formula is made, yes.”

She stares at me and I wait for more questions, or at least an acknowledgement. I’m met with bitter silence and a furtive glance. I want to tell her about how dangerous it all is, that Rene has a weapon he can turn on every single human, but that’s a conversation for tomorrow. Once we’ve both had a decent sleep, we can sit down and hash this thing out.

“There’s something I need. It would help me feel a little more at home.”

Every word feels measured and meticulously chosen.

“Name it.”

Sofie chews on her bottom lip.

“At Nox, there’s a picture on my desk of Charlie. My son. You bring me that picture and I’ll do it.” She has tears in her eyes and my heart just about cracks. “I have to be able to see him. I won’t work without him.”

I won’t fight her on this. I can’t imagine a world where a picture of her son will be a key part of some plan to work against me. Besides, even if it was, I can have Theo scour the frame just to be sure.

“I’ll send someone to get it for you right away.”

“Thank you. And please tell Ruby that I’m here and that I’m okay. She’s probably going fucking nuts.”

I shake my head.

“ThatI can’t do.”

“Why?” She snaps. “You think my best friend is going to sell me out to your little rival?”

“Nobody but Theo, Mateo, and myself know that you’re here. We keep it that way, and we keep you safe.”

She scoffs and leans against the dresser, all of that sweetness sucked out of her like the air deflating from a balloon.

“Okay, then tell Theo good luck getting into my office because if she sees him back there, she’s going to put a bullet between his eyes. You wanna lose your best pal, then be my guest, Mr. Duncan.”

It’s funny, Theo would probably tell me the same thing. There’s not a single part of me that’s used to any of this shit. You’d think kidnapping would be in my repertoire, but to be honest, I can’t even remember the last time I pulled a stunt like this.

“Fine, fine. He’ll let her know.”

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