Page 149 of Sin Like the Devil

“What?”

“Nothing,” he mutters.

That goddamn smirk.

“Spit it out, Raine.”

“Just wondering what happened to the whole no commitment thing?” He laughs. “You’ve changed your tune.”

Wiping off my tears, I scoff. “It’s complicated.”

“No doubt. You know I don’t care about labels either way.” His playful tone turns serious. “It’s nice to be needed by someone.”

Chin tucked down, it almost like he’s staring at the place where our hands are joined. This situationship is quickly turning into a clusterfuck with two very clear obstacles.

“I thought you’d be here when I woke up.” He seems to read my mind. “Where were you last night?”

Shuddering, I hope he can’t hear the way my breath catches. Stupidly optimistic, right? Raine immediately sits a little straighter and lifts his head to follow the sharp sound.

“Rip? What is it?”

“I… had a run in with Lennox,” I say vaguely.

“A run in?” His brows knit.

“He thought those pills you took were mine and wouldn’t listen to me.” My voice wavers a little. “Things got physical.”

“Jesus.” His grasp on my hand tightens. “Are you okay? What did he do?”

Memories of inky rainwater swallowing me whole threaten to take over. I’m just glad he can’t see the raw, scabbed-over marks that line my wrists. Nor the slice at my throat from the… well, aftermath.

“I’m alive. It was… uh, Xander bailed me out.”

“Xander,” he tests the word.

“Yeah. He found me.”

“Where, exactly?”

I don’t trust myself to speak. Not yet. Not when the memory of Xander is so fresh. So vivid in my mind. That near-death experience was petrifying, but what unfolded with him after scared me even more.

“Bailed you out of what?” he demands.

“It doesn’t matter, Raine. Xander helped me.”

“It does matter. Did Lennox hurt you?”

Gripping his fingers tight, I grimace. “Yes.”

“That son of a bitch! I warned him. I told him to stay away!” He breathes heavily.

“If it wasn’t for Xander…” I trail off.

“You know he has feelings for you.”

Studying his face, there’s no hint of anger or jealousy. Raine wears a look of weary acceptance, like he’s known this all along. It’s startling.

“He hates me,” I correct him.

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