Page 82 of Caged By the Ruthless Thief

“Are you kidding me?” Annabelle puts her petite fists on her hips.

“Belle, he’s bleeding. It’s not safe for you to go with him. He can’t pilot in his condition.”

“If it’s not safe for me to go with him, it’s not safe for him to go with him.” She motions at Eros. “He can’t pilot himself like that.”

“Let’s leave the loaner here and take ouromadaback to Glyden. Tomorrow, we can come pick it up,” Holter counteroffers.

“Eros, get in the front,” I bark. I use the same tone I used to use with new recruits. My ankles are on fire from running through the market, not helping my mood.

He rolls his eyes at me, and I want to kill him all over again. But he surprises me by moving to the front seat.

When we get back to our apartment, the sharks outside are frantic, but Mickey hasn’t rammed through his forcefield this time.

“Oh, no, I missed treat time and playtime.” Annabelle rushes to the window, putting her hand on the glass before turning to the hallway near the airlock.

“You are not going outside now.” Holter grabs her arm. “I’ll message Milo. He’ll come over and take care of it.”

“That’s a good idea. I’m sure they’ve had their dinner already.” Annabelle touches the control panel on the wall. It’s linked to the feeder Constantine installed.

There’s a thud in the kitchen, and all of us turn. Eros is leaning on the counter. He has a kitchen towel pressed up against the cut on the side of his face. It’s red with his blood. Another towel sticks out from under his tunic.

“Oh!” Sharks forgotten, Annabelle rushes to him. “Are you okay?” She grabs a clean rag from the drawer and tenderly cleans the wound on his face, which isn’t that bad. Then she gets a bag of ice from the freezer and gingerly holds it to the swelling. He lets her, even though his healing abilities will kick in soon. She hasn’t noticed the wound on his side, or she’d be more upset.

“Really, I’m okay.” But he lets her hold the bag on his face.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” He takes the ice pack from her and kisses her hand, leaving the ice on the counter.

“Just leave it on a little longer for me.”

“Okay, Sunshine. I’ve had worse, but for you, I’ll leave it on.” Ice back on, he pulls out his turned-off block and puts it on the table. He clicks it on. This should be good. I can’t wait for him to read my thoughts on his behavior. He’s leaning on the counter watching his messages come in. “Nice.” He glares at Holter and me and back at his messages. I might have threatened his life several times. I don’t remember. Not knowing where Annabelle was, it was like she was missing all over again. “Oh shit. Sunshine, there’s a message from Kronus. He said the deal went straight through. Russell Strickland is no longer the owner of any interest in your family farm. Actually, it went through in a matter of days. There’s some paperwork left to be tied up, but your father is free of him.”

“What?” She’s holding the bag to his face again, but Eros takes it from her.

“I’ve got this. Here, read.” He slides his block over.

“Wow.” Her blue eyes widen. “My uncle is gone. Out of my dad’s life.”

“Scroll down,” Eros says.

“It says he packed up and moved. But it doesn’t say where.” Annabelle turns to me.

“Do you care, Belle?” Holter gently tugs her into his grasp.

“No, I guess not. As long as Marlee and Aunt Blair are okay, I suppose it doesn’t matter what happens to him.”

I growl.

“Nico?” Annabelle is at my side.

“It matters what happens to him.” My hatred for the man is stronger than my disdain for Vikings.

She makes a face at me because she didn’t want me to kill him. He’s the father of her beloved cousin. But the man isn’t good enough to feed the bottom scavengers. It would give the spiny lobsters a bitter taste, and if I have to eat bugs, I want them to be sweet. If I’m ever close enough, if he ever dares get close enough to Annabelle to breathe the same air as her again, the man is dead.

Blood surges through my veins, pounding in my ears. “Because he doesn’t deserve to live.”

She stares at me and slowly nods.

---