Page 94 of The Villain

“You’re going to need to have that arm in a sling for two weeks, so you don’t tear anything,” Rorik said.

One week, and then what he couldn’t see couldn’t hurt him.

“I’ll leave these if you change your mind.” He set the pill bottle on the nightstand, the sight giving me déjà vu for when it had been Athena in this spot and her meds on the table.

“Thanks,” I muttered, but I wasn’t going to change my mind.

And then there was only Harm and Rhys left.

“You saved her life, Dare.”

I grimaced. “I know that.”

My brother sighed, the sound of sadness riding out on his breath. “Do you?”

My bitter response dissolved on my tongue. Ididknow, but it didn’t change anything.

“I’m going to help Ty,” Harm grumbled. “I’ll check on you later.”

And then there was one.

“I’m fine, Rhys,” I said hoarsely. “You don’t need to babysit.”

“Damn, and here I thought I was getting in some practice.”

Practice…myforehead creased and then understanding dawned. “Merritt…”She was pregnant.

My friend’s face lit up like a lighthouse in the middle of a storm. “Yeah.”

“Congratulations.” I offered a smile even as the ache in my chest worsened, but the pain wasn’t from the wound. At least not the gunshot wound. The wound that ached was deeper. Invisible and scarred over with time. A wound that had once been a wish—a wish for a family with Athena. A wish that had died when I betrayed her. “You don’t need to stay, though.”

Rhys hummed, his fingers tapping the wooden edge of his instrument where it hung around his neck. “What are you going to do about her?”

My jaw locked. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yeah, you do.”

I exhaled forcefully. “I’m going to figure out who’s behind the attack and stop them, and then leave her alone.”

“Is that what she wants?”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation, the recollection of pained betrayal on her face vivid in my mind.

“Then why did she sit with you this whole time? Hold your hand?” he wondered with feigned innocence. “Doesn’t seem like the actions of someone who doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

“She wants to thank me for saving her life, that’s all. Guilt and gratitude, nothing more.”

“Bullshit.” He turned the crank on the hurdy-gurdy and let the instrument’s drone ooze into the room. “She wants to see you.”

“Don’t let her,” I warned. I didn’t want her here. I didn’t want to face having failed her—hurt her again.

“Dare—”

“Don’t, Rhys. I fucked up. I keep fucking up when it comes to her—when it comes to this. I keep hurting—” I broke off when he grabbed my shoulder.

I glared at him, watching the easy smile on his face disappear into a hard expression.

“I’m going to say this one time,” he began with a low voice. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, and honestly, this shouldn’t have to be said, but…enough.Enough.”His grip tightened as he crouched so we were eye level. “Ryan’s death wasn’t your fault. Amira wasn’t your fault?—”

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